Lessons from the Reel World: Documentary Changemakers
Some stories stay with you long after the credits roll.
Whether it’s a mountain climber defying the impossible, a filmmaker documenting disappearing glaciers, or a journalist stepping inside one of the internet’s most controversial movements, the best documentaries do more than inform. They challenge assumptions, spark debate, and offer a fresh perspective on the world around us.
The speakers featured here are the people behind those stories. Explorers, filmmakers, historians, campaigners, scientists, and changemakers whose work has inspired some of the most talked-about documentaries of recent years.
From resilience and leadership to climate, innovation, and human rights, these are the lessons that begin on screen and continue long after the film ends.
Our Changing World
What does it take to understand a world in transition? These speakers explore some of the defining challenges and opportunities of our time—from climate change and conservation to technology, science, exploration, and the forces reshaping societies around the globe.
Time and Water
A powerful meditation on climate change, memory and the passage of time, Time and Water transforms one of the world’s biggest challenges into a deeply human story.
“A gorgeous ode to vanishing Icelandic glaciers and lives.” — Financial Times
The Secret Genius of Modern Life
Hannah Fry reveals the hidden systems, algorithms and technologies that shape everyday life. Making complex ideas accessible and engaging, she explores how data, artificial intelligence and innovation are transforming the way we live, work and make decisions.
“Fry has a rare gift for making the complicated feel brilliantly simple.” — The Guardian
Ocean with David Attenborough
As director of one of the year’s most talked-about environmental films, Toby Nowlan reveals the beauty, fragility, and resilience of our oceans.
“A glorious, soul-stirring cry to action.” — The Standard
Seaspiracy
The documentary that sparked a global conversation about the future of our oceans and challenged audiences to rethink what they thought they knew.
“A bracing wake-up call.” — The Telegraph
Travelling across the Nordic region, Simon Reeve explores the forces shaping our world, from climate change and energy security to migration, geopolitics, and social cohesion. Combining global insight with deeply human storytelling, he offers a compelling perspective on a world in transition.
“A fascinating journey through one of the world’s most complex and compelling regions.” — Radio Times
Pushing the Limits
From record-breaking expeditions to extraordinary feats of survival, these stories explore courage, perseverance and the mindset required to achieve the seemingly impossible.
Celebrity Bear Hunt
Adventure, survival, and leadership collide in a high-stakes exploration of what it takes to thrive under pressure.
“Wildly entertaining.” — The Telegraph
Secret Amazon: Into the Wild
Explorer, filmmaker and expedition leader Lucy Shepherd takes audiences deep into one of the world’s most challenging environments. Through stories of survival, uncertainty and discovery, she reveals what it takes to lead in the unknown and push beyond perceived limits.
“Move over Bear Grylls… There’s a new TV adventurer on the block!” — TV Times
Free Solo
The Academy Award-winning documentary following Alex Honnold’s attempt to climb El Capitan without ropes, widely regarded as one of the greatest feats in climbing history.
“An edge-of-your-seat thriller.” — The New York Times
Expedition with Steve Backshall: Unpacked
Drawing on expeditions to some of the world’s most remote environments, Steve Backshall explores discovery, risk, teamwork, and the mindset required to push beyond perceived limits.
“Backshall remains television’s most enthusiastic adventurer.” — The Telegraph
Touching the Void
One of the most celebrated survival documentaries ever made, telling the extraordinary true story of survival, resilience, and decision-making in the face of overwhelming odds.
“One of the greatest adventure documentaries ever made.”
— The New York Times
Artemis: Horizon Special
Drawing on his experience as a British astronaut and his insight into the next era of space exploration, Tim Peake offers a fascinating perspective on leadership, preparation and performing under pressure when the stakes could not be higher.
“A defining moment in space exploration.” — BBC World Service
Frampton: Return of the Jackal
An intimate portrait of one of boxing’s most respected champions, Frampton: Return of the Jackal follows Carl Frampton as he prepares for a career-defining homecoming fight at Belfast’s Windsor Park. Exploring determination, pressure, and identity, it offers powerful lessons in resilience, leadership and performing when expectations are at their highest.
“An immensely entertaining hour-long documentary.”
— Balls.ie
The Stories That Shape Us
The past has a habit of resurfacing in unexpected ways. Through history, investigative journalism and cultural storytelling, these documentaries offer new perspectives on the events, ideas and people that continue to shape society today.
Inside the Manosphere
Louis Theroux turns his attention to one of the most influential and controversial online movements of recent years, exploring identity, influence and belonging in the digital age.
“A fascinating and deeply unsettling watch.” — The Guardian
A House Through Time
Using the stories of ordinary people to illuminate extraordinary historical change, David Olusoga brings the past to life with characteristic insight and humanity.
“One of television’s most innovative history programmes.”
— The Telegraph
Lucy Worsley Investigates: Bloody Mary
Revisiting one of history’s most misunderstood rulers, Lucy Worsley explores how power is won, reputations are formed, and legacies are rewritten over time.
”Worsley is a wonderfully engaging guide.” — The Independent
Julius Caesar Revealed
Drawing on archaeology, history and storytelling, Mary Beard revisits one of history’s most influential figures to examine power, leadership, and legacy. Her work demonstrates how the ancient world continues to shape contemporary society.
“No one brings the ancient world to life quite like Mary Beard. — The Independent
The American Revolution
The latest work from one of the world’s most celebrated documentary filmmakers explores the events that changed the course of history.
“America’s greatest living documentarian.” — The New Yorker
Courage Under Pressure
Some of the most powerful stories are those of individuals who choose to speak out, stand firm or keep going in the face of adversity. These films shine a light on resilience, freedom, and the personal cost of challenging the status quo.
Nazanin
An extraordinary story of resilience, diplomacy and hope in the face of years of wrongful imprisonment.
“A moving account of resilience and injustice.” — The Guardian
Honor Diaries
A powerful exploration of women’s rights, freedom of expression and the courage to challenge deeply rooted social norms.
“Powerful and provocative.” — The Wall Street Journal
The Great Hack
Exploring the intersection of technology, democracy and power, Carole Cadwalladr helped expose one of the defining data scandals of the digital age. Her work highlights the importance of accountability, truth and speaking out in the face of intense scrutiny.
“A chilling examination of data, power and democracy.”
— Financial Times
Gareth Southgate: Changing the Game for Young Men
One of the most influential voices in modern sport turns his attention to the challenges facing young men today. Through conversations about identity, mental health, role models, and resilience, Southgate explores how confidence, character, and belonging are shaped, and why positive leadership matters more than ever.
“Compassionate, insightful and deeply timely.” — The Guardian
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