Year: 2026
Director: Mark Cousins
Producer: John Archer
Executive Producers: Clara Glynn, Joslyn Barnes, Frank Lehmann and Diana Bustamente
Production Company: Hopscotch Films
Sales Agent: Dogwoof
Screen Scotland support: The series accessed £250,000 through Screen Scotland’sFilm Development and Production Fund.
Synopsis
An innovative exploration of the documentary form from the dawn of cinema to the present day, encompassing stories from across the globe. Boldly feminist, jargon-free and international in scope, the 16-volume series offers a vivid portrait of our lives, societies, wars, families, journeys, creativity, relationships and struggles – as well as the things we make and the planet itself – told in a fresh and compelling way.
More information
Premiere: The first part of the series had its World Premiere at Sundance Film Festival 2026. It will then have its European premiere while parts 2-4 will have their World Premiere at Berlinale 2026 in February 2026.
Screenings: The Story of Documentary Film (The 1970s) screened as part the Cannes Classics strand in May 2026, and are followed by screenings of two volumes of the series (the 1960s and the 1970s) at Sheffield Doc Fest 2026.
Image credits: Still courtesy of Hopscotch Films