Nature films were my first connection to storytelling on screen—they’re some of my earliest memories of watching TV. Years later, I saw Baraka, and it completely expanded my sense of what was possible. It took me a while to find cinematography, but Life Cycles was my first opportunity to dive in, and I haven’t stopped chasing real stories since.
Documentary Clients : Netflix, Apple, BBC, Disney, Sony, IMG, CBC, Plimsoll Productions, River Road Films, Wild Spaces, Red Bull, National Geographic
CO-CREATOR / A GOOD RUN / feature (in production) - A film about Dag Abbye a very interesting human, pushing boundaries since 1941.
CO-CREATOR / LIFE CYCLES / feature length
Life Cycles is a film that follows the life of the mountain bike, blending immersive cinematography with storytelling. Derek translates motion, emotion, and human experience into a vivid, cinematic portrait. They set out to make something worth watching, and audiences around the world responded—the film has a perspective that continues to resonate. A cult classic, it pushed the boundaries of what was possible from 2008 to 2010, representing one of the first generations of high-quality digital workflow, and helped launch Derek’s career in motion, opening doors for future creative opportunities.
CREATOR / IN MY NATURE / short
This short film is a rhythmic portrait of artist Lars Baggenstos. It offers a glimpse into the artist’s mind and creative process while reflecting Derek’s own approach to work, resulting in a meditative and authentic experience.
DP / THE FLOOD / short
Elevating a simple story with an engaging perspective, this charming short is a collaboration with a talented small team and director Scotty Carlson. It offers a fun and creative approach to telling a non-human story.
CREATOR / BULLSEYE / short
Derek has spent extensive time embedded in Grasslands National Park in Canada for a variety of projects. This short film captures the simple power of bison, conveying a strong sense of place and presence
CREATOR / WILD LIFE / short
This wildlife cinematography reel features footage from a series of acclaimed productions that Derek Frankowski has contributed to as a cinematographer, including Planet Earth II, Planet Earth III, Great Migrations, Hostile Planet, Wild Canadian Year, Wild Canadian Weather, Grasslands: Hidden Wilderness, Night on Earth, Tiny World, and Super Natural. Derek has traveled the globe, capturing life on land, in the air, and underwater, working in challenging environments and bringing his approach to both the micro and macro worlds. His work has received global recognition, including an Emmy Award for Cinematography on Planet Earth II.
CREATOR / CHAOS THEORY / short
An experimental short that explores visual meditation and chaos theory, this film weaves together a collection of stories that share a subtle, unifying thread.
CO-CREATOR / HORSEPOWER / short
This personal work, created in collaboration with Greg Huszar, is a short visual story from a trip to the Canadian prairies. The open range and cowboys carry a romance that has captivated imaginations around the world. After spending time in this world, Derek can see why.
CO-CREATOR / GRASSLANDS / short
On his first visit to this gem of a national park, Derek experienced unexpected beauty and opportunity at every turn. There’s no better light on the earth—different, but not better.