Synopsis
It started with the first photo filmmaker Paul Wyatt ever took: a blurred sheep's nose on a school trip when he was just nine. He didn’t take any snaps of his classmates but plenty of sheep, donkeys... and a duck. This lifelong love of animals and a deep-seated curiosity to understand their lives drove Wyatt to make Sheep, Actually.
He opens the film with a thought-provoking proposition: "If you’re going to work with wool, get to know how a sheep lives. Take a walk and meet the sheep." In the film, Wyatt does just that, taking us on an insightful journey to understand the origins and creation of wool, from the lives of sheep to the work of London farmers and makers.
On one side are the farmers facing harsh economic realities, where shorn fleece may be thought economically worthless. On the other side, creative individuals in the city seek high-quality, traceable, local materials but find it challenging to source them. Artisans like Majeda Clarke and fashion designer Justine Lee share their experiences navigating the complexities of running a craft business in a world dominated by fast fashion and opaque supply chains.
Then we have the sheep, actually at the heart of the film, giving the audience a unique and intimate insight into the lives of these intelligent and sociable animals. The narrative unfolds from the perspective of a ewe nicknamed Cow, named for her resemblance to a calf at birth. Her journey includes her first experience of lambing, the shearing process, and life with her new lamb. This distinctive viewpoint provides an intimate look into the life of an actual wool producer.
Beneath its woolly surface, “Sheep, Actually” delivers an honest and surprising exploration at where nature, farming, and making meet.
Sheep, Actually: A film about wool and a sheep named Cow.
Sheep Actually Tom Davis and Majeda Clarke © Paul Wyatt Films 2025
"Sheep, Actually" Social Media 1
Sheep Actually Remiiya Badru © Paul Wyatt Films 2025
"Sheep, Actually" Social Media 2
Video
Sold-Out Premiere: The Cutty Sark Takeover
Filmmaker Paul Wyatt brought the world-famous Cutty Sark's lesser-known legacy as a historic wool transporter out of mothballs by creating and co-producing a sold-out experiential and film premiere event, “The Cutty Sark Wool Experience,” with Royal Museums Greenwich, held at the ship in Greenwich, London, on October 9th.
The event brought people together through history, wool, film, and live music. Attendees explored the ship, listened to short talks on its wool history, and enjoyed a makers' village with weaving demonstrations. Headlining the evening was the premiere of Wyatt’s documentary, “Sheep, Actually,” which was screened under the suspended hull of the ship.
The film received an enthusiastic reception from a capacity audience, followed by a Q&A with contributors. In attendance and featured in “Sheep, Actually” were: Claire Ellis-Elson, Remiiya Badru, Majeda Clarke, Justine Lee, Tom Davis, David Jones, Emma Harrison, Andrew Kite and Allison Thistlewood. The audience included senior figures from the fashion, creative, and agricultural communities.
Screen Sheep, Actually At Your Venue
Licensing is available for cinemas, museums, art centres, educational institutions, and cultural festivals (including art, yarn, and creative events) for exclusive, in-person presentations.