Vera Hong and Craig Bender are filmmakers and the artists behind Backbone, a collaborative practice spanning documentary, moving image and installation. Their work evolves through sustained collaboration and engagement with place, exploring how histories, ecologies and relationships take form through image, sound and exchange.

Based in the Blue Mountains on Gundungurra and Dharug lands west of Sydney, Australia, Backbone works across screen and exhibition contexts, collaborating with cultural organisations, communities and creative practitioners across Australia.

Their authored and commissioned works have been presented at the Powerhouse Museum, Australian Museum, Australian National Maritime Museum and Murray Art Museum Albury, with moving image collaborations contributing to works presented at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, MONA, Carriageworks and Fondation Cartier.

Their work has been recognised by the National Trust Heritage Awards and the ATOM Awards, screened at Academy Award–qualifying festivals, and featured by Australian Geographic.

Vera Hong is a director, cinematographer, editor and producer working across documentary and artist moving image. Her work combines documentary intimacy, emotional resonance and a visually authored cinematic language, guided by a finely tuned sense of atmosphere, nuance and story. She is a member of the Australian Cinematographers Society, Australian Directors Guild and Screen Producers Australia.

Craig Bender is a cinematographer and CASA-licensed drone operator working across documentary and artist moving image. His practice moves between camera, aerial work and post-production, often in complex and remote settings. He brings a practical, inventive approach to image-making and a strong visual instinct for the places he works in.

Film still, Let Me Pass Onto You (2021), Commissioned by Powerhouse Museum. Commissioned Artist - Vera Hong. Co-cinematographer - Craig Bender.

Installation view No Distance Between Us  (2017) , Backbone Productions, Bayala Nura (Yarning Country) First Australians Gallery, Australian Museum

Installation Images left to right
1. Liam Benson, hello, good to meet you (2019), Bella Room Commission, Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney
2. Nat Thomas, Postcards from the Edge (2019), The National 2019, New Australian Art at Carriageworks



Film still, Alpine River Adventures (2019), Backbone Productions, featured on Australian Geographic

Film still,  Ngaran Ngaran (2019), Backbone Productions