The Great Australian Fly

Despised, feared, eradicated. Flies have always been a bugbear to mankind. No matter how hard we’ve tried to keep them at bay, they’ve survived and are still invading our everyday lives. But what most people don’t know is; we actually need them.

Flies are not simply a nuisance. These insects have evolved across millennia to become incredibly successful. As pollinators and recyclers, they are a vital part of a functioning ecosystem. From medicinal maggots to forensic fly evidence, these often-loathed creatures can be as useful as they are annoying. Fly research is also inspiring high-resolution cameras, tiny flying robots, and even better understanding of the human brain.

The Great Australian Fly provides a smart, lighthearted look at the cultural and natural history of Australia’s flies, and our very human battle to control them. Inventive and entertaining, the documentary combines quirky archive, “fly-cam” footage, animation, personal stories, and the latest macro-technology to create an unusual tale of the most irritating yet vital species, and to explore what can we learn from this tiny but fascinating creature.