Doug Allan OBE

Film Work

One of the industry’s best-known topside and underwater filmmakers, Doug has worked on over 70 productions and made more than 25 trips to the Antarctic and 30 across the Arctic. He has filmed for the BBC, Discovery, National Geographic, Netflix, to name a few.

Prestigious, blue-chip credits for a number of different broadcasters, include Life in the Freezer, The Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Frozen Planet, Human Planet, Life, Hostile Planet, Forces of Nature, Operation Iceberg, and Ocean Giants. Doug also appeared in and filmed for the award-winning documentary, A Plastic Ocean.

Speaking and Live Events 

In September 2024, Doug performed his stage show In the Company of Giants at the iconic Minack Theatre. In October 2024, Doug was on stage in Bristol, charting the successes and setbacks of four decades of wildlife filmmaking. A knowledgeable and passionate speaker, Doug has completed several successful tours across both the UK and Ireland, most recently in 2023.

Throughout his television career, Doug has been at the frontiers of our climate breakdown. He has unparalleled first-hand experience of how our planet has and continues to change, and speaks with earnt authority about these challenges. Doug feels particularly passionately about marine conservation and the crucial issue of plastic pollution.

A brilliant storyteller, Doug’s presentations are entertaining, engaging and inspiring. They blend his extraordinary adventures with a unique knowledge and expertise of polar regions and extreme environments. While highlighting our planet’s grave climate struggles, Doug’s talks simultaneously aspire to motivate and provide hope, making him a wonderful guest speaker for any audience.

Speaker Testimonials

“From the beautiful and breath taking to the brutal and provocative, whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a photographer, a documentary maker or just fascinated by his work, Doug Allan’s stories make this an evening you don’t want to end.” Total Ntertainment 

“Doug took the children on a journey through his many adventures, woven together with stunning photography and film, an encyclopaedic knowledge of the natural world and his great sense of humour. His enthusiasm, energy, and clear passion for the natural world left everyone who heard him informed, entertained and inspired.” Southville Primary School, June 2024

“Thank you very much for your fabulous talk, which was much appreciated by all attendees. We’ve had nothing but positive comments from our members. Such an interesting and passionate description of your career and achievements, illustrated by the most stunning visuals” Royal Geographical Society, Hong Kong, December 2023

“The combination of his stories, images, clips and knowledge with his presentation style produced a superb evening.” Winchester Photographic Society

“Doug is a rare and unique blend of artist, explorer, scientist and storyteller. His first hand experiences documenting marine wildlife and witnessing nature at its finest will transport any audience on a magical journey. Always relevant and engaging, Doug will leave his audiences wanting top hear and see more.” Diana Udel, Director of Communications, Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science

Awards

In 2024, Doug was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours List. The award was for services to Broadcast Media, Marine Conservation and the Promotion of Environmental Awareness. In 2018, Doug was awarded the RSGS Mungo Park Medal for his contribution to geographical knowledge in hazardous environments.

Doug’s photographic awards include eight Emmys, five BAFTAs and five Wildscreen Pandas. He has also twice won the underwater category in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

Doug has three honorary doctorates in recognition of his camerawork, and is an honorary fellow of both the prestigious Royal Photographic Society and Royal Scottish Geographic Society. Doug has also been awarded two Polar Medals for his scientific and filming work in Antarctica and the Arctic.

Diving

Doug’s diving experience includes more than 5,000 hours underwater, with over 650 dives under ice. During this time, Doug has been hugged by a walrus and befriended a narwhal.

Background

Doug first overwintered in the Antarctic in 1976 when he was the Research Diving Officer with the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) in the South Orkneys. Over the following seven years, Doug spent four winters and six summers working for BAS as a diver, marine biologist, and base commander, receiving both the Polar Medal and the Fuchs Medal for his work. A chance Antarctic meeting in 1981 with David Attenborough and a film crew, inspired him to move into wildlife filming. His first assignment in 1983 was filming the emperor penguins for the BBC series, Birds for All Seasons (BBC Two).