top of page
Filmmaker and camerawoman
P1122905.jpg
Yaz Ellis BTS LAOWA, Vraptor 1.jpg

I am an award-winning wildlife filmmaker and cinematographer; recognised by Jackson Wild, the American Society of Cinematographers, National Geographic and the United Nations. Originally from the UK, I fell in love with Vienna whilst filming the world’s most endangered hamster there, and now I am lucky enought to call the city home.

​

I am very happy that I am also currently working as a DOP for Terra Mater Studios on an exciting new natural history programme. 

 

Working as co-director and co-cinematographer with my filmmaking partner, Jack Mifflin, our most recent film Beavers About Town won the Cinematography Short Form Award at the 2022 Jackson Wild Media Awards, judged by the American Society of Cinematographers. And our latest film (currently in production) was selected as the winner of Wildscreen x National Geographic's Wild Pitch 2022, and is generously supported by RED Digital Cinema and LAOWA. 

​

The films Jack and I create, have a particular focus on how wildlife is adapting to and challenged by human impact, in our increasingly urban world. With subjects including urban beavers living amongst people, flower-eating ground squirrels battling habitat destruction; love-struck toads crossing our roads and the wild hamsters finding sanctuary in the middle of a city.

​

I hold a First Class Honours degree in BA Film, from Screenology Film School in Bristol. During the course of my degree, I directed and filmed multiple award-winning short wildlife films; whilst working as a researcher and production assistant on natural history, factual and drama productions. After graduating, I moved to Austria, and began working as a camerawoman. 

 

For project ideas, collaborations, more information, up to date CV or showreel -

please contact me - yazzellis@gmail.com

2022WinnerLaurel_Black.png
INAEPF.png
LandXSea_Laurel_Official_Selection_2023_black.png
Awards

Jackson Wild Media Awards - Cinematography Winner 2022 

Wildscreen x National Geographic - Wild Pitch Winner 2022 

United Nations' World Wildlife Day - Micro-Movie Winner 2022

Green Screen Festival - Short Film for Kids Winner 2023

Big Water Film Festival - Young Filmmaker Award 2023

International Nature and Environmental Protection Film Festival - Winner 2023

Jackson Wild Media Awards - Finalist 2021

Innsbruck Nature Film Festival - "Young Talents" Winner 2020

RTS West of England, Student Television Awards - Craft Award, Camera 2020

Wildscreen x Back from the Brink - Overall Winner 2019

Conservation Optimism Film Festival - Student Winner and Overall Finalist 2019

WILD PITCH

Wildscreen x National Geographic - Oct 2022 

Jack Mifflin and I pitched our next film idea at Wildscreen Festival and won. The prize money will fully fund the creation of this film. Watch this space...

in Discussion

Wildscreen Network Webinar - March 2021 

Telling their own Stories: Female Filmmakers discussing everything to do with self-shooting filmmaking, alongside the fantastic Lizzie Daly and Ashwika Kapur

Yaz Ellis - Kamera , Wien, Östereich
in the field
bottom of page