The Magic Faraway Tree
Director: Ben Gregor, Cinematographer Zac Nicholson BSC
UK Release: 27 March 2026
Enid Blyton’s classic, brought to the screen for the first time. Simon Farnaby’s adaptation moves the story into the present day, with Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy as parents who relocate their family to the English countryside, where their children find a tree that leads to other worlds. Nicola Coughlan, Jessica Gunning, Jennifer Saunders and Rebecca Ferguson join the cast. Produced by Neal Street Productions and Elysian Film Group, filmed at Shinfield Studios with Zac Nicholson BSC as cinematographer.
Equipment Used
Heavy Lift Drone
Freefly Alta 8: a heavy lifter with a small form factor.
Top speed: 35mph
Flight time: approx 5mins
Payloads: Best paired with Mini LF, Reds and small form cinema cameras with lightweight primes or lightweight spherical zoom lenses.
Special characteristics: Top and bottom camera mount
Under our OSC from the CAA this aircraft can be operated to within 10m horizontal distance from uninvolved people, making it ideal for work in urban areas, where traffic and public cannot be controlled and a small working footprint is needed for the controlled ground area.