An unlikely crew, an octopus’ trust, and an Oscar win: Makers at Xposure 2025

Photo: Sharjah Government Media Bureau

The ninth International Photography Festival, Xposure 2025, has gathered some of the world’s most talented photographers and filmmakers in the UAE. Visitors have the rare chance to meet these award-winning artists, hear their incredible stories, and learn from their experiences.

Among the most anticipated speakers were director Pippa Ehrlich and cinematographer Roger Horrocks. Over the weekend, they captivated the audience as they shared the remarkable journey behind My Octopus Teacher, the Netflix documentary that not only changed the way people see marine life but also set a new standard for documentary filmmaking.

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A Film Without a Plan

Unlike many big-budget nature documentaries, My Octopus Teacher did not start with a clear plan. There was no official pitch, no fancy production proposal, and no roadmap. Instead, it grew naturally from a personal experience. Filmmaker Craig Foster formed a deep connection with an octopus in the kelp forests of South Africa, and he began documenting their interactions.

“We just started creating,” Ehrlich shared. “What eventually ended up on Netflix in 2020 was simply the result of what we had made, without any big expectations.”

Capturing a Living World

One of the most extraordinary aspects of the documentary was its breathtaking cinematography. Horrocks explained that their approach was a mix of traditional wildlife filmmaking—like the style seen in Planet Earth—and a more personal, real-life perspective inspired by Foster’s way of filming.

“The kelp forest was our set, but it wasn’t a typical set. It was alive, moving in every direction,” Horrocks said. “We had to develop a filming style that made people feel like they were diving alongside Craig.”

Over the course of filming, they used 18 different cameras, capturing everything from wide, sweeping ocean views to close-up moments with the octopus.

At the heart of the film was, of course, the octopus herself. Ehrlich described these fascinating creatures as full of contradictions. “Octopuses are incredibly smart, yet at the same time, they are very fragile. Their entire life is a balance between curiosity and survival,” she said.

The film beautifully captured this delicate balance. Audiences watched in awe as the octopus outsmarted predators, blended into her environment, and eventually developed a deep trust with Foster. “What made this film special was that we weren’t just filming an animal’s behavior—we were capturing a relationship,” Horrocks explained. “The octopus’s journey reflected Craig’s emotional journey.”

From Rejection to Global Fame

Even though the footage was stunning, getting the film made was not easy. Ehrlich admitted that major platforms, including Netflix, Amazon, and National Geographic, initially turned them down. “We knew something was missing, but we just couldn’t figure out what,” she said.

Netflix later agreed to take the film, though with little expectation. But when it was released, something incredible happened. The film went viral. It touched people around the world, with celebrities like Jane Goodall and George Monbiot praising its deep emotional impact. “Our website crashed because of all the traffic,” Ehrlich recalled. “We weren’t ready for that level of attention.”

Then came the biggest surprise—the film won a BAFTA and then an Academy Award.

A Legacy Beyond the Film

The success of My Octopus Teacher led to real-world change. Craig Foster’s conservation group, the Sea Change Project, launched a movement to protect kelp forests. They introduced the term “The Great African Sea Forest,” and soon, major publications like National Geographic and Bloomberg were using it. “For the first time, people were recognizing kelp forests as important ecosystems,” Ehrlich said. “That was the real victory.”

Today, both Ehrlich and Horrocks are working on new projects, using what they’ve learned from My Octopus Teacher. “We’ve realized that people connect with nature through personal stories,” Horrocks said.

Their work continues to inspire audiences worldwide, proving that sometimes, the most powerful stories are the ones that come from the heart.

Feb. 23, 2025 12:06 p.m. 392

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