Who are Bear Behind You?

We are a production company and collective working between Cornwall and London. After collaborating as friends for several years we started Bear Behind You in 2020. Our name comes from filmmaker Werner Herzog’s 24th and final maxim,

“Get used to the bear behind you.”

We reject historic ideas of authorship and auteurism in film and instead work in collaboration with each other and with participants. As people with lived experience of obstacles that can prevent participation in the film industry, and in recognition of historic and present challenges in the film industry for many people, we actively work to create diversity and inclusion in our projects and collaborations. We are committed to fair, equal and transparent pay throughout the collective, with everyone paid based on hours worked rather than job title. 

Joe Inman

Joe is a writer and director based in Cornwall. Making socially engaged work Joe uses documentary and community participation within his fiction projects. His films are interested in the act of storytelling and the power it has in communities. He is never allowed to hold the camera as his hands are too shaky.

Lucia Manakova

Lucia is in charge of production design as well as assisting in all elements of the production, from pre to post. Her work takes interest in contrasts within the mundane, and the relationship of people with public and private spaces. To the table she brings her collected inspiration from across different art forms - and snacks.

Teddy Freeman

Teddy is a filmmaker who specialises in cinematography. He loves to find the cinematic within everyday scenarios. Teddy has experience in films, music videos and commercial videography. He would also like to point out that he isn’t the dog in the photo, that’s Bessie.