Team

Profile of
Robin Newell
Filmmaker and Storyteller
Renowned Documentary Filmmaker and Visionary Storyteller

Robin Newell is an accomplished film producer, director, and writer whose groundbreaking documentaries have traversed the globe, capturing compelling narratives from the heart of Africa to the frozen landscapes of Siberia. With an illustrious career spanning decades, Robin has established himself as a master of visual storytelling, known for his in-depth exploration of humanity, history, and technology. His work blends breathtaking visuals, powerful stories, and meticulous research, leaving an indelible mark on the world of documentary filmmaking.

Career Highlights

Robin's latest triumph, Beyond Siberia - Riding The Road of Bones (2 x 1 hour), is a gripping two-part documentary series that showcases the harrowing yet exhilarating journey across some of the world's most extreme terrains. From scorching deserts to sub-zero plains, Robin's lens captures moments of euphoria amidst intense trials, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit against nature's fiercest challenges.

In 2011-12, Robin's World on Wheels (6 x ½ hours) aired on Channel 7 and ABC, taking audiences on a thrilling motorcycle odyssey through 16 countries. Renowned for its stunning cinematography, the series delivers exhilarating footage that brings viewers closer to the action and the culture of the places traversed.

A year earlier, Robin's bold production Dead Men Talking (also known as Interviews Before Execution) earned widespread acclaim. Commissioned by the BBC and PBS, the documentary offers a haunting glimpse into the final moments of prisoners in China, interviewed by journalist Ding Yu. Spending months in Henan Province, Robin's intimate approach captured the rawness and emotion of these human stories, making it a major festival favorite with screenings at IDFA, The International Rome Film Festival, Asiatic Film Festival, and many more.

From 2003 to 2008, Robin ventured into the heart of Africa, producing several award-winning series. His wildlife and technology-focused series Wild Africa Goes Hi-Tech (6 x ½ hours) and Ingenious Africa (26 x ½ hours) were both broadcasted by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). These series solidified Robin's reputation as a pioneering filmmaker, earning him the prestigious United Nations Documentary Film Award.

Robin's mastery of historical narratives is showcased in Spirit of the Railway, an ABC-TV documentary hailed by ex-POW associations as “the best ever made.” This heartfelt story follows Australian prisoners of war forced to labor on the Thai-Burma Railway. He followed this success with The Quiet Lions, a riveting account of the clandestine efforts of Sir Weary Dunlop and Boon Pong to smuggle medicine into the harsh jungle prison camps during World War II.

Exploring the wonders of human ingenuity, Robin directed The Elegant Solution (13 x ½ hours), a comprehensive series on engineering that spanned over 20 countries. It was lauded as the most thorough television series ever made on the subject, earning international acclaim and multiple awards, including an ATOM Award for Outstanding Television Production.

Awards, Festivals & Accolades

Robin's films have been celebrated at prestigious film festivals and have earned numerous accolades, including:

2012: Featured at IDFA, International Rome Film Festival, Asiatic Film Festival, Documentary Edge NZ
2011: Thessaloniki Film Festival, Greece; Rotterdam, Lisbon, Tenerife
2010: Ektop Sustainability Documentary Films
2008: United Nations Documentary Film Festival (USA) - Bronze Award
2007: Finalist, National Science and Technology Awards (South Africa); Featured at DOCUSUR (Spain)
2006: La Scienza La Verda TV Festival (Italy)
2005: Winner of multiple CHRIS Awards (USA) - Social and Cultural Categories
2003: Winner of the South African Film Award
1999: Silver Award, Prix Leonardo, Italy; Featured at US Academy of Science, Washington DC
1998 & 1999: Winner of multiple ATOM Awards for Outstanding Excellence in Television Production

Summary of Production Credits
Beyond Siberia - Riding The Road of Bones (2 x 1 hour)
Dead Men Talking (1 hour documentary)
World on Wheels (6 x ½ hour series)
Equine Fairy (1 hour)
Hi-Tech in Wild Africa (6 x ½ hour series)
Betty's Story (1 hour)
Ingenious Africa (26 x ½ hour series)
Blues in Bighouse (1 hour)
The Quiet Lions (1 hour)
AfriCAN Solutions (13 x ½ hour series)
Spirit of the Railway (1 hour)
The Elegant Solution (13 x ½ hour series)
Thanks for All the Fish (1 hour)
The Engineers (1 hour)
Aunty Sharon's Bush Kitchen (SBS-TV Pilot)

Robin Newell's career has been defined by his passion for capturing the essence of human resilience, innovation, and history.

His enduring legacy continues to inspire audiences and filmmakers alike with his extraordinary storytelling and dedication to the craft.