Oxford Scientific Films (OSF) is a British company that produces natural history and documentary programmes owned by ITV Studios.
When Southern Star was sold to Endemol, Oxford Scientific Films was retained by parent company Fairfax Media.
Thompson and five of his associates and former students (Peter Parks, who worked with plankton; John Paling, a fish specialist who worked with Parks; recent Oxford graduate Sean Morris; zoologist John Cooke; and Eric Skinner, who assisted Thompson with his films) wanted to form an independent film company.
[1][2] When they returned to the United Kingdom, Thompson sold them a quarter acre of his garden, at a steeply discounted price, to be the home for the new building.
Thompson remained at his position at Oxford University while the company building was being completed, while the other four travelled to America to make the film loops for Ealing.
Using specialised equipment and camera techniques the developed themselves, the company gained fame for its ability to record never before seen footage of the natural world.
[5][6] Oxford Scientific Films, which had retained its own identity under Circle Communications, became a core division of Southern Star Entertainment.
[9][10][11] In March 2008, parent company Southern Star Group merged its Sydney-based "factual business unit" into the Oxford Scientific Films division.