The Detectorists is a coming-of-age story about Cariad, a young detection dog learning to use her powerful nose to help protect wildlife.
Set on the riverbanks of rural Wales, Cariad teams up with her owner Lee and seasoned sniffer dog Neo on a mission to uncover signs of otters—an elusive, protected species.
But learning to read the land isn’t easy, and Cariad has a lot to prove. With every scent trail and muddy pawprint, she edges closer to becoming a vital part of the conservation team.
It’s a story of instinct, training, and finding your place—one sniff at a time.

Director Biography

Sarah-Jane Walsh is a UK-based Producer/Director with over a decade of experience crafting impactful, character-driven science and natural history films. Her work includes contributions to Emmy- and BAFTA-winning series such as Planet Earth II, Our Planet, and Mammals.

With a PhD in marine biology, she brings a perspective that fuses scientific depth with creative vision, telling stories that are both emotionally resonant and intellectually engaging. She gravitates toward human-centred narratives that explore our relationship with the natural world, often amplifying underrepresented voices in conservation.

Her debut independent short, The Detectorists (2024), marks a shift toward filmmaking that prioritises narrative strength and emotional impact — using story as a vehicle for connection, reflection, and change.

Sarah-Jane is co-founder of the Wildlife Camerawomen Community, a board member of the Wildlife Cinematographer Diversity Fund, and a committed advocate for equity in factual storytelling.