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I'm a senior documentary filmmaker trusted by global broadcasters, brands and individuals for premium authored work.

AUTOMOTIVE

Stories where machines, people and ambition intersect.

Beyond the machine

Cars have been a constant in my life - from childhood obsession with design and engineering, to directing films inside some of the most exclusive environments in global motorsport and automotive culture.

Today, I bring that lifelong passion together with 25+ years of documentary storytelling to create films that don’t just show cars - they capture what they mean.

From elite racing teams to global brands, from road trips to cutting-edge EV technology - I specialise in telling stories where machines, people and ambition intersect.

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NETFLIX: DRIVE TO SURVIVE

I was one of the directing team for the first season of  the global smash hit series that changed Formula 1, with privileged access during the 2018 season, capturing the personalities, politics and pressure that define the sport. I returned for the third season, which gained a prestigious Emmy Award for 'Outstanding Sports Documentary - Serialized.'

PORSCHE: ENDURANCE

A 90-minute feature documentary, commissioned by Porsche,

with extraordinary access to the brand's GT endurance racing programme - from Le Mans to the Nürburgring. A story of precision, resilience and relentless pursuit of marginal gains.

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FORD: GLOBAL BRAND FILMS

A series of ambitious films showcasing Ford’s range - from mountain extremes to coastal terrain - alongside high-performance testing of RS models at Ford’s private track.

VOESTALPINE: sponsorship film

A brand film commissioned by steel manufacturer Voestalpine, marking their sponsorship of Formula E. Shot on location at Voestalpine's steel plant in Linz, using an international crew.

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MY CAR IS MY LOVER

For something a little different...a surreal road-trip documentary exploring intense emotional relationships between people and their cars - strange, funny and unexpectedly tender.

What I BRING

TYPES
OF PROJECT

A Global Perspective

Access

I’m trusted in environments where access is everything - from factory floors to pit lanes to private test tracks.

Credibility

With a track record including  Drive to Survive and global brand work, I understand both storytelling craft and brand responsibility.

Cinematic Storytelling

I approach automotive films like documentaries - finding the human stakes behind performance, innovation and competition.

Agility

Lean, high-end production capability - able to move quickly, travel light, and deliver premium results without unnecessary scale.

  • Brand films & campaign storytelling

  • Motorsport documentaries & behind-the-scenes access

  • Product launches & performance films

  • Founder / engineering stories

  • Experiential & high-end client content (including driving tours)

  • Editorial / broadcast automotive features

I stay close to the evolving automotive world - from legacy performance brands to EV disruptors, from endurance racing to the future of mobility.

That means every project is grounded not just in visuals, but in context, relevance and authenticity.

I’ve filmed across a wide range of international locations and I’m always open to international collaboration, production partnerships and location-based storytelling. Whether working with brands, broadcasters, teams or agencies, I’m comfortable operating in fast-moving environments and adapting quickly to different cultures, crews and production demands.

Film Clapperboard Outdoors

If your project involves wheels - whether it’s speed, design, innovation or adventure - I’d love to hear more.

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© 2026 by James Routh

Rabbit Productions Ltd.

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