Short docs, big ideas.

Leafcutter Films is a London-based production company that helps organisations tell real, human stories through short documentaries. Whether you're a brand, a charity, or a growing business, we make films that help you stand out, show what you care about, and connect with your audience in a meaningful way.

We collaborate with partners of all shapes and sizes - from brands and agencies, to charities and cultural institutions - offering end-to-end production and creative consultancy.  We also make our own films about topics we care about; stories that stay with us and, we hope, stay with the people who watch them too.

Our story

Leafcutter Films was founded by me, Steph Beeston. After a decade as a self-shooting director and editor, I saw how powerful short films could be, for both creative storytelling and business impact. 

Our mission is to champion the short doc. We do this because they work: they’re quick to make, easy to share and come in a small but perfectly formed package. In just a few minutes, a short doc can explain big ideas and leave a lasting impression, while still packing the emotional punch of a feature film. If you’re curious about the power of short docs, we often share our thoughts and favourite examples over on LinkedIn.

We're committed to leaving this industry in a better place than how we found it. At the current pace, gender equality in the UK screen industry won’t be reached until 2085. That’s far too slow. So we’re committed to making sure at least 60% of our crew are women or non-binary folk.

If our work sounds like a good fit, get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

What we do

  • Brand documentaries

    Bringing the expertise of documentary storytelling into a commercial landscape, we capture the essence of your brand's mission & values with a well told story.

  • Impact films

    Elevating the case study format, we use documentary sensitivity to tell campaign stories that land with meaning, not just metrics.

  • Consultancy

    With a background in story development, we offer creative consultation for organisations looking to sharpen or amplify their message.

  • Original documentaries

    Finding and telling stories that light our fire and give us purpose. 

Who we are

Tiny movers. Vast impact.

Beneath the canopy, the leafcutter ant moves with purpose. In our eyes, their behaviour perfectly embodies the creative process: foraging and transforming something raw into nourishment for their community. In the same way these tiny architects play a role in shaping ecosystems, we too have a responsibility to shape the world through the stories we tell.

Leafcutter Films is the brainchild of Steph Beeston. Recognising an opportunity to bring her documentary expertise into the commercial landscape through short-form filmmaking, she founded Leafcutter Films in 2025.

When Steph’s not making films you’ll find her on captain duties for her football team, or being dragged along the road by her spirited lurcher.