Framed Outside: Meeting Ellie Green
"I want viewers to feel something, to be moved, inspired or to be transported somewhere"
The wrong e-mail draft went out this morning, a perfectionist nightmare, please read this one! I am super excited to share the second portrait of Framed outside, spotlighting women behind the lens in the outdoor and sports world, with the awesome filmmaker Ellie Green:
Can you give us little bit of an introduction of who you are ?
I'm Ellie Green, a filmmaker and co-founder of Summit Fever Media, an adventure film production company based in Cumbria, UK. We’ve been doing this for about 13 years now. I didn’t come into this through a traditional route, my background isn’t in film, but I’ve always been passionate about stories. That story passion is really what drives everything I do. I like to think we specialise in capturing raw, emotional narratives about adventure.
Do you remember the first time you held a camera?
Absolutely. I was probably about seven years old, holding my parents' old film camera. I was fascinated by the mechanics of it, flipping open the back, and then being told off for exposing the film! But it felt both intriguing and strangely powerful. But it wasn’t until my mid-twenties that I really learned how to use a camera properly.
How did you find your creative compass - what felt good, what felt real, and what impact you wanted to have through filmmaking?
It’s always been the storytelling that’s called to me more than the technical side of filmmaking. I’ve been a voracious reader for as long as I can remember books were/are my escape, my comfort place, and at times my inspiration - whenever shit hits the fan I reach for my books for reassurance and maybe a bit of guidance. When Matt (my husband) and I started Summit Fever Media, I wasn’t particularly confident in voicing which stories I was interested in pursuing. But the industry has changed so much since then and there’s more space now for diverse stories and voices, especially for women. I'm particularly drawn to real, gritty, raw, stories, stories that are a true representation of the human experience, that make you feel connected to the person on the screen, I love capturing that feeling of connection through the camera, I’m not interested in everything being overly polished or filtered. I want viewers to feel something, to be moved, inspired or to be transported somewhere. I especially love telling female-led stories, perhaps because I relate to them deeply and there are so many incredible ones still waiting to be heard. If I can help amplify even a few of those voices, that’s incredibly rewarding
Co-founding a company in the adventure space, what’s been some of the biggest highs and lows?
Oof great question. Let’s start with the lows so we can end on a high! It’s very easy to take things personally when you're so emotionally invested in your work. Every rejection stings, and burnout is something I’ve brushed up against more than once. You learn over time to separate your personal identity from your business self - it’s a work in progress and running a business can be incredibly tough. There are quiet months, financial ups and downs, and moments where it threatens to consume your whole life. But the highs are amazing. One of the best moments for me was sitting on stage at the Royal Geographical Society, talking about Solo with Jenny Tough and Keme Nzerem. It felt like a full-circle moment. Younger me would never have believed it!
What are your favourite kind of projects these days? How does it feel to see some of them on mainstream platforms too?
It still feels surreal to see our work on platforms like Apple TV and Amazon, it never fully sinks in. My favourite projects tend to be female-led stories and fast-paced, journalistic-style documentaries. I love being in the thick of it, adrenaline high, camera in hand, capturing moments as they happen. There is something very special about that kind of intense bubble atmosphere that I love.
Do you think being a woman in this space gives you a unique view, one the industry doesn’t see enough of?
Absolutely. So much of our experience as women goes unspoken or unseen, especially in adventure and sport, where the landscape is still dominated by a particular demographic. That shapes which stories get told and how. As women, we experience life and adventure differently. Everything from training to gear, to how we’re perceived, is gendered. It’s crucial that these perspectives are not only seen but deeply understood.
Where do you see stories still being left out, and how do you want to fill that gap?
The landscape and stories being told is improving, a bit, but sometimes it feels like inclusivity becomes a trend that fades again. I can’t claim to be the one to fill that gap entirely, but I want to be part of the shift. That means looking at who we hire behind the camera, who we cast in brand shoots when we have the choice, and whose stories we choose to tell. The “male gaze” is talked about a lot in art, but it applies just as much in film and photography, who’s behind the lens matters as much as who’s in front of it.
You started The Green Room to share more of your personal journey—creativity, AI, freelancing life. What inspired that space, and what impact do you hope it can make?
Another great question. For a long time, I wasn’t particularly vocal in this industry. But as things evolve, and in my own career I’ve been invited to share my opinions and speak more on stage, I’ve slowly started to find my voice. I realised that staying silent meant that I was getting frustrated with the status quo. If I wanted to see change, I needed to be part of the conversation. The Green Room is a way for me to open up about my journey, to talk honestly about freelancing, AI, creativity and also to demystify the adventure filmmaking world a bit. It can feel like a hard industry to break into, and I hate the gatekeeping that sometimes happens. When we started out, people were generous with their advice, and it made a huge difference. If I can pay that forward, then it’s worth it.
What’s the last moment that reminded you why you do this?
Argh so corny but true - every day I get reminded why I do this! I love the freedom, the creativity, the people. No two days are ever the same, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Most recently, it was a really simple evening, sitting outside, wrapped in blankets, around a fire with a glass of wine, chatting with people I’ve worked with who have become friends. And I just felt a huge wave of contentment.