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Fibres: The Roots of Industrial Hemp

Imagine a versatile, unique material that only gets stronger as it grows. A material that can be used to produce the chairs that we sit on, the walls that surround us, and the batteries in our phones. Everything from textiles to concrete, to medicine, paper and plastics.
It sounds far too good to be true, and yet, it exists.

In this documentary, we investigate the properties, benefits and applications of industrial hemp, tackling the issues of fast fashion and hemp's association with cannabis by speaking to campaigners, growers and biologists.

  • Victor Kolbe
    Director
  • Victor Kolbe
    Writer
  • Matthew Tyler-Howells
    Writer
    Kinetic: Ghost - From Page to Stage
  • Emily Hogg
    Writer
  • Matthew Tyler-Howells
    Producer
    Kinetic: Ghost - From Page to Stage
  • Victor Kolbe
    Producer
  • Victor Kolbe
    Key Cast
    Liturgy
  • Patrick Gillett
    Key Cast
  • Ana Winters
    Key Cast
    "Dr Ana Winters"
  • Alan Gay
    Key Cast
  • Heledd Wyn Hardy
    Key Cast
  • Tim Coleridge
    Key Cast
  • Justine Gens
    Key Cast
  • Tom Venner Woodcock
    Key Cast
  • Emily Hogg
    Cinematographer
  • Emily Hogg
    Camera Operators
  • Matthew Tyler-Howells
    Camera Operators
  • Heledd Wyn Hardy
    Additional Footage
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Investigative, Documentary, Hemp, News, Interviews, Participatory, Expository
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    May 31, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    250 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, HD, UHD 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Aberystwyth University
  • RTS Cymru Wales Student Television Awards
    Cardiff
    United Kingdom
    Saving the Planet (Undergraduate)
Distribution Information
  • MMN / SQBX
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: Internet
Director - Victor Kolbe
Director Statement

Four years ago, I began searching the Internet for affordable hemp.
I had heard it was long lasting, anti-fungal and it could be passed onto my grandchildren, but I could not find much hemp… and it was very expensive if it was of any quality at all.
This was an issue, was somebody looking into this?

During my research, I found a website for a hemp farm called Hempen. I spoke with the team, and they were on board to help shine a light on growing industrial hemp and the regulatory hurdles. From Hempen onward, ideas started to come to mind, what else but a hemp farm could I include? Having seen the news articles written about Hempen and their licensing troubles, I knew the issue was relevant and needed more coverage.

Hemp is a UK suitable crop. With governments and citizens hyper-fixating on the current climate crisis, local and affordable tools in our arsenal can help combat doubts and naysayers.

This project follows me educating myself, asking questions such as who is growing hemp today, and are hemp farmers supported in their work at all?
It made me question, have we made full use of our national and human resources? Is there a valid argument for our authorities and industries currently restricting hemp textiles and construction materials?
How feasible is the introduction of hemp into the market today?
Hemp, in a cost of living crisis, could bring down heating bills, but is there a demand?

I hope that films like this can result in corporate and legislative changes, that save the public resources and give us a chance at a more stable and prosperous future. I want to inspire audiences to reconsider our modern world with a mindset adjusted to be conscious of environmental issues.