Myles Storey

Tell us about your connection to nature, why is it important in your life?

Growing up in Borneo, which has some of the richest ecosystems on earth, really shaped my connection to nature. One of my most unforgettable childhood memories was exploring the Kinabatangan River, where I came across wild pygmy elephants, orangutans, langurs, macaques, crocodiles, hornbills, badgers, and white-bellied sea eagles—just to name a few. But when I travelled along Sabah’s east coast, I saw a different side to the story: endless rows of palm oil trees with only small patches of rainforest in between. Seeing so much biodiversity and then the destruction of it made me really internalise the fact that nature is a finite resource, and there’s a real risk of losing so many species. Experiences like these led me to eventually study zoology and dedicate my career to telling stories that get people closer to nature and wildlife.

Tell us about why you landed on this topic. Why should people be aware of the stories or species in the film?

I wanted to craft a story that resonates with young people by exploring themes like relationships, finding our place in the world, and balancing our everyday lives with the responsibility of caring for our planet. For a long time, I thought storytelling about wildlife had to fall within the realms of behaviour or conservation, but for this project, I wanted to take a different approach and create a film that celebrates these EDGE species in a refreshing and engaging way. Inspired by the meme ‘Would you still love me if I were a worm?’, I saw an opportunity to use this format to spotlight various species and their unique challenges, blending humour with important environmental messages.

The Cameron Highland Sticky Frog, found only in a specific mountainous region of Malaysia that's threatened by overdevelopment, agricultural expansion, and over-tourism, seemed like the perfect subject. It's a newly identified species with little information available, making it an ideal focal point for our film. Additionally, proboscis monkeys, with their comical noses and potbellies, add a humorous touch, while great hornbills exemplify strong monogamous bonds, enriching the narrative with their 'romantic' behaviours.

What are you hoping people will take away and feel from watching your film?

Ultimately, this film aims to shine a spotlight on the sticky frog, proboscis monkey, and great hornbill, particularly for audiences who might not typically engage with natural history content. By weaving a human love story into the narrative, I hope to capture people's interest and foster a fun, lighthearted appreciation for these species.

What do you think needs to change to help people reconnect with nature?

As a storyteller, I believe that stories can help people connect to nature by making the natural world more relatable and accessible. Through storytelling, abstract concepts like conservation and biodiversity loss become personal and emotional and by weaving in human elements and emotions, stories create a bridge between people and nature. With endless streams of information, entertainment, and social media flighting for our attention, we need more authentic voices that highlight the beauty of wildlife and nature in different ways, encouraging people from all walks of life to seek out this connection beyond their digital lives.

Biggest learning from the creative process?

As an independent filmmaker accustomed to working on tight budgets and wearing many hats, the biggest lesson I've learned from this film is the value of collaboration. Not only was it more fun, but working with other creative and passionate individuals has resulted in something far greater than I could have achieved on my own or with a smaller crew.

One thing people might not know about you?

I had a phobia of frogs. I thought they were too slimy and too quick for their own good. But not anymore - especially after making this film!