Hi, I’m Zebedee, a documentary filmmaker with a passion for social justice and environmental causes.
In a world of escalating climate change, conflict and doom scrolling I believe empowering visual stories can cut through – raising voices not often heard and inspiring people to act.
I’ve directed several short documentaries about pressing social justice issues that have won awards at festivals and being picked up by streaming platforms. You can view them here.
I also create films with not for profits, ethical business, advocacy organisations, musicians, and artists. These films have helped them reach new people, educate, fundraise, and build campaigns.
This includes documentaries, about/brand videos, music videos, educational content and reels for social media.
Experienced at working across all stages of production as a director, videographer and editor I can work as a solo creator, within a team and bring a crew together for larger productions.
I also have a masters in documentary filmmaking from the prestigious Australian Film, Television and Radio School which has held me in good stead when tackling creatively and politically complex films.
I have a 5-star rating on upwork and often develop relationships with clients that last for years.
I’m based in Western Sydney and available to travel internationally.
I would love to have a chat about working together. I’m open to a range of projects, commissions and collaborations.
Email: zebedee(a)zebedeeparkes.com
Whatsapp: +61 412 647 061
Photo: @flore_vallery_radot
Select awards, interviews and publications
Selected for AFTRS and DocPlay’s First Cut curated showcase with Last Goal Wins
Winner best short documentary at the Sydney Indie Film Festival in 2016 with For My Friends in Detention
Award Winner at the Dare to Struggle Film Festival 2022 with A Radical Hope
Featured speaker at the Museum of Contemporary Arts’ Zine Fair as part of the Sydney Writers Festival in 2019
Manus, Omid and the campaign against offshore detention and resettlement Published in Carte di Roma
Interviewed at We are Moving Stories European Short Film Festival - For My Friends In Detention
Sentinel Eye/Spy exhibition featured my photographs
Australian government violates its own refugee policy published in Green Left
Iconic activist filmmaker David Bradbury on telling peoples stories published in Green Left
Photo exhibited as part of the Worlds in Motion. Narrating Migration exhibition at the Museum of World Cultures in Frankfurt, Germany
Select clients
3CR
A Sound Life Charity
Aboriginal Legal Service of WA
Act for Peace
Amelie Ecology
Films for Change
Friends of the Earth Australia
Gailla Music
Jigsaw Productions
Kimberley Ranger Network
Move Beyond Coal
North Productions
NSW Users and Aids Association
Open Support
Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts
Rights Reporter Foundation
Savage Films
Tenants Unions of NSW
Trans Justice Project
Welkulturen Museum
Women’s Safety Services of Central Australia
Yasmin Music
Protest filmmaking and photography
I regularly film and photograph protests across a range of campaigns including First Nations, climate, Palestine, refugees, LGBTI+ and unions. It’s my way of showing solidarity and helping to build campaigns. The visuals I capture are often widely used by the people and groups organising those campaigns.
You can follow my Instagram to see the latest photos from the protests I capture and support this work on my Patreon where I post expanded photo albums and a few other bits and pieces.
I’ve been doing this for over a decade and have built a large archive from protests and campaigns across so called Australia. Several documentaries and publications have licensed footage and photos including Burning on Amazon Prime and academy award nominated We Steal Secrets: The Story of Wikileaks. With photos used by a range of media publications.
If you're interested in licensing footage or photos for your project get in contact. I offer a sliding scale for not for profits.