Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1957-06-24
- Born Place: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Keith Scholey
Keith Scholey is a highly respected British producer and director of nature documentaries for both television and cinema, and a former television executive, born on June 24, 1957, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. With a background in zoology, holding a BSc and PhD from Bristol University, Scholey's career in wildlife filmmaking spans over 40 years.He began his journey at the BBC Natural History Unit in 1982 as a researcher for iconic series like David Attenborough's "The Living Planet." He steadily rose through the ranks, becoming a producer and then series producer for many acclaimed programs, including "Natural World," "Wildlife on One," "Wildlife Specials," and "Big Cat Diary." In 1998, he was appointed Head of the BBC Natural History Unit and later served as Controller of BBC Specialist Factual Production and Controller of Factual Production, overseeing a wide range of in-house productions including natural history, science, history, arts, business, and religious content.In 2008, Scholey returned to his passion for filmmaking, and in 2012, he co-founded Silverback Films (and later Studio Silverback) with Alastair Fothergill. Under Silverback Films, he has been instrumental in producing some of the most globally impactful natural history series and films, often in collaboration with Sir David Attenborough. These include the critically acclaimed Netflix original series "Our Planet" (for which he was a series producer and executive producer), "Our Planet II," and "Life on Our Planet." He also directed and produced feature films for Disneynature, such as "African Cats," "Bears," and "Dolphin Reef," and was a director of "David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet" (2020), and most recently, "Ocean with David Attenborough" (2025).Scholey is widely recognized for his dedication to not only showcasing the beauty of the natural world but also for highlighting the critical environmental challenges it faces. He is a strong advocate for using media to inspire action on conservation and climate change, and his productions have earned numerous awards, including Emmys, BAFTAs, RTS's, Wildscreen Pandas, and Jackson Hole Awards. He was also awarded a Doctor of Science degree from the University of Bristol for his significant contributions to public understanding of biological sciences.
