Meet the Future Proof Development Programme Participants

Doc Society, FACT Liverpool and the BFI have announced the selection of 10 projects in development for the Future Proof Development Lab.

Future Proof will support the development of ten new, formally innovative non-fiction cinema and immersive works by emerging to mid-career directors and lead creatives. The programme is delivered over three months by FACT Liverpool and Doc Society, supported by the BFI Creative Challenge Fund, awarding National Lottery funding.

The development lab is designed to encourage 10 independent directors and lead creatives to develop bold new non-fiction works that grapple with new technologies of production and prepare their projects for financing. Future Proof asks the question: how can documentary makers adapt and learn from ever-developing technological futures such as AI, big data, and virtual/augmented environments, which simultaneously challenge notions of truth?

The programme will take place in Liverpool, London and Copenhagen consisting of technological workshops, editorial mentorship and a series of curated encounters with luminary non-fiction directors and artists. Confirmed speakers include Danielle Brathwaite Shirley, Lawrence Abu Hamdan, James Bridle, Brightblack, and Tuyết Vân Huỳnh. The lab will culminate in participating projects being introduced to the leading non-fiction film and immersive market at CPH:Forum (part of CPH:DOX, Denmark) in March 2026.

The Lab will be hosted by Jamie Allan (Future Proof Lab Manager), Camila Arriaga (Future Proof Lab Coordinator) alongside the Doc Society and FACT Studio/Lab teams.

Future Proof 2026 Participating Directors, Lead Creatives and Producers:

Alex Nevill (Filmmaker, Producer)
Project title: Buaireas na mara (Restless sea)

Anna Engelhardt (Artist, Producer)
Project title: Towards Dissolution

Blu Smith (Artist, Producer)
Project title: The Odyssey of Recollection

Comfort Arthur (Director)
Project title: Ursula

Eelyn Lee (Artist, Producer)
Project title: Conjuring Acts

Gweni Llwyd (Artist)
Project title: localhost

Leo Nelki (Director/Producer),
Project title: Untitled River AI Film

Livi Wilmore (Artist & Producer)
Project title: Browser History

Oliver Bradley-Baker (Artist/Filmmaker)
Project title: Biome

Ornella Mutoni (Director, Producer)
Project title: The Silence We Carry

Patricia Echeverria Liras (Director/Producer)
Project title: Untitled River AI Film

If you would like to meet the lab participants at CPH:DOX and hear more about their projects please contact camila@docsociety.org