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Brought to life by Castle Frame Pictures and filmmaker JC Ralls, Vegolution is a cinematic investigation into the food system we take for granted. This is your first look at the story that challenges everything we think we know about what we eat.

Vegolution is a feature-length documentary exploring the past, present, and future of our food system through a story-led, non-graphic lens.

The film begins in the Neolithic era, where new evidence suggests humans may have relied more on plants than meat. Experts from institutions like UCL, Butser Ancient Farm, The John Innes Centre, and Reading University help reframe early civilisation not as one of violent hunting, but of cooperation, cultivation, and nourishment, built on bread, not hunting.

In the present, Vegolution exposes a global crisis: overconsumption, chronic disease, and ecological collapse. Through cinematic storytelling, expert interviews, and personal voices — including leaders at Changing Markets and health professionals like Dr. Ishani Rao, we explore how industrial animal agriculture fuels deforestation, water shortages, and ill health, while failing to nourish us.

Looking ahead, the film asks: What happens if we don’t change and what happens if we do? Through science, innovation, and compassion, Vegolution imagines a better future — not one of restriction, but of possibility, reconnection, and hope.

Help us bring this vision to life — click the link to support our fundraising campaign.

The Roots of Vegolution

THE VEGOLUTION TEAM

Dr. Melanie Joy PhD

VEGOLUTION PRESENTER
Dr. Melanie Joy is an internationally renowned psychologist, author, and speaker, known for her groundbreaking work on the psychology of food, relationships, and social transformation. In Vegolution, she guides viewers through the history and future of our food system with clarity and compassion, helping to unpack why we eat the way we do, and how those choices impact our health, our planet, and our collective future.
A Harvard-educated psychologist and bestselling author of Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows, Joy has spoken in over 50 countries and is the recipient of several international awards, including the Ahimsa Award and the Peter Singer Prize. She is also the founding president of the organisation Beyond Carnism.
Originally from Boston, Melanie now lives in Berlin with her husband, Sebastian Joy.
More at melaniejoy.org
JC Ralls

WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
VEGOLUTION
JC Ralls is a UK-based documentary filmmaker and founder of Castle Frame Pictures. With a background in broadcast and independent production, he has worked with Sky TV, the BBC, Screaming Eagle Productions, and Floating Harbour Studios, specialising in films that explore sustainability, travel, and political movements.
In Vegolution, his first feature-length documentary, JC blends science, history, and cinematic storytelling to explore how our food choices affect our health, our planet, and our future. A long-time vegetarian, he approaches the subject with curiosity, creativity, and a sense of humour that has shaped much of his work even the early short films he now hopes remain buried online.
More at castleframepictures.com
Peter J Robinson

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
VEGOLUTION
Peter J. Robinson is the founder of Screaming Eagle Productions and The Review Magazine. With a background in cinematic brand storytelling and luxury publishing, Peter has produced campaigns and editorial features across film, travel, property, and high-end lifestyle sectors. He joins Vegolution as a Producer and Assistant Director, supporting the creative vision and production of the film with his extensive industry experience.

Peter joined the Vegolution team in July 2025 to assist in bringing the documentary to life through to completion.
More about Peter’s work:
www.screamingeagle.co.uk
www.thereviewmag.co.uk

Meet the experts changing the future of food

Nusa Urbancic

CEO of the Changing Markets Foundation, Nusa appears in Vegolution to expose the widespread greenwashing tactics used by major corporations, particularly within the animal agriculture industry. Her work and that of her team play a key role in uncovering how misleading sustainability claims are shaping consumer choices and delaying real change.
Trevor Creighton

Archaeologist - Butser Ancient Farm.
An expert in his field, Trevor brings invaluable insight into how Neolithic communities transitioned from hunting to farming. In Vegolution, he challenges the myth that early humans were primarily meat-eaters, showing how ancient diets were far more plant-focused than we often assume today.
Dr. Ishani Rao

GP - NHS England
A medical doctor and public health advocate, Dr. Ishani Rao appears in Vegolution, She explores how meat and dairy-heavy diets are straining healthcare systems like the NHS and US insurance models. With clinical insight, she shares practical, plant-focused advice for improving both personal and public health.
Professor Jonathan Jones

Group Leader at the Sainsbury Laboratory,
Jonathan is one of the world’s leading plant scientists. In Vegolution, he highlights the urgent need to reduce animal agriculture to achieve true sustainability, while also showcasing groundbreaking research to combat crop diseases — including efforts to eradicate blight and prevent future potato famines.
Vanessa Sturman

A plant-based health educator and behaviour change specialist, Vanessa appears in Vegolution to challenge food misinformation and explore how our diets affect both personal health and the planet. With a focus on accessibility, she offers practical solutions for shifting to healthier eating habits in a world dominated by processed food and conflicting advice.
Peter Emmerich

Researcher at the John Innes Centre, Peter Emmerich shares groundbreaking work on developing crops that are more resilient to drought, flooding, and disease, without relying on pesticides. His contribution to Vegolution highlights the science behind building a more sustainable, secure, and climate-resilient food future.
https://www.jic.ac.uk/