Studio Silverback, which launched in 2020, has a mission to use the power of film-making and story-telling to reveal the reality of our changing planet to a global audience. It has set up Open Planet as a social enterprise to further this aim. It will work with the world’s top documentary filmmakers and data scientists to record our planet as it changes and responds to the climate and nature crises.
Open Planet will combine exceptional film footage with the latest infographics to create compelling content and use its extensive partnerships and distribution networks to reach the widest audience. Their footage and data visualisations will be available, free of charge, to those who wish to use it for educational, environmental and impact storytelling.
Studio Silverback has now formally revealed the Open Planet project and you can see more here.
Open Planet has brought together a number of impact investors who have committed to supporting the first phase of this project, prioritising social and environmental impact above financial return.
The Bates Wells team was led by David Hunter and supported by Isabelle Harris and Joshua Machado, as well as specialists from across the firm.
David Hunter who is Senior Counsel in the Social Investment team commented:
“It has been a privilege to be involved in a project where the focus has been consistently on how the social and environmental impact can be optimised and where so many talented individuals and organisations are combining their skills and resources for such important and exciting outcomes. Our team are eager to see the work of Open Planet reach audiences far and wide (and be part of that audience).
At Bates Wells, we see the climate emergency as one of the most critical problems facing our society today. The Open Planet project is a clear effort towards raising awareness of and tackling the climate emergency, and the team are very proud to have assisted them in completing this first phase of the project.”
Colin Butfield, Co-Founder and Executive Director at Studio Silverback commented on the transaction:
“As filmmakers, we know stories can be powerful agents of change, and with the window for action rapidly closing to address the planetary emergency, there’s never been a greater need for compelling, authentic storytelling. Open Planet will not only present the causes and impacts of climate change and nature loss, but also the incredible ingenuity of those driving innovation to keep critical sustainability targets within reach.”