Beyond Our Own Eyes film commissions

Commissioned by Sheffield DocFest, the Beyond Our Own Eyes film commissions are 3 new works by April Lin 林森, Gregory Herbert and Hermione Spriggs that invite us to come closer to our more-than-human neighbours. Made collaboratively with ecologist Dr. Nalini Nadkarni, Professor of Plant-Soil Processes Katie J. Field and mole catcher Nigel Stock respectively, each film is a speculative space built from creative exchange.

The new commissions will play on a loop in the CCA cinema. Approximate length of each loop is 45mins.

Works in this programme:

Making-with by Gregory Herbert with Professor Katie J. Field

Amidst the rubble of broken symbionts, traces of a resurgence appear, flora pushing through. Multi-species assemblages signalling, exchanging, building.

The fungus that facilitated life on earth, again inspiring new worlds. As we spiral further into climate catastrophe, how do we break away from these capitalist cycles. How do we channel this energy into cycles of reciprocity?

Earth Swimmers by Hermione Spriggs with Nigel Stock

This film attends to the tricks and techniques that mole catchers use to access the underground world of the mole. Using tools as portals into the mole's vibratory world, probes, feet, noses and rain-making instruments lead the viewer into alternative ways of sensing and knowing the earth.

TR333 by April Lin 林森 with Dr. Nalini Nadkarni

Artist-filmmaker April Lin 林森 presents TR333, a speculative construction of a new species of tree developed in conversation with ecologist Dr. Nalini Nadkarni. Using 3D animation, found footage, and a musical score based on data sonification, TR333 recasts the ecological crisis from a multispecies and affective gaze.

For further information on these films, including essays about the collaborative process, click here.

The Beyond Our Own Eyes film commissions were commissioned by Sheffield DocFest with support from Wellcome Trust, as part DocFest Exchange: Beyond Our Own Eyes.

Curated by Jamie Allan as part of DocFest Exchange: Beyond Our Own Eyes.

A Note for Visitors

The 3 film commissions will play on a loop, exhibition style. Every 3rd loop we will show the caption subtitled versions of the films.

Venue Guidance

CCA is currently operating with increased requirements due to Coronavirus. Masks and hand-sanitising are required throughout the building, and queueing for events will take place outside, so please dress for the weather. We ask that people attending events take a lateral flow test before visiting CCA. For more information, please see Venue Guidance.