In loving memory of Aisha Younis
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[photo of Aisha Younis]
Friends, the team at Doc Society are beginning the year in gentle mourning. Over the holidays, we lost a brilliant young comrade, Aisha Younis, and we cannot begin this year without first honouring her.
Aisha joined Doc Society in January 2018 as an intern, diving straight in to support Doc Society’s events and then quickly joining BFI Doc Society Fund as Production Co-Ordinator, where she helped put on roadshows across the UK. She worked on asylum cases in our community that Doc Society was engaged in before joining the Mothers of Invention podcast team. Climate was where everything clicked for her and in that period Aisha became creator and custodian of Climate Reframe - a project which she would carry forward beyond Doc Society. Her dear friend and colleague Suzanne Dhaliwal will pick up the story below.
So many Doc Soc-ers past and present have written to recall Aisha’s deep warmth, her smile, her laughter. We are poorer without her but she leaves us inspired and emboldened.
In her leaving email to the Doc Society team, she included the most beautiful fragment of a poem from Rumi: "The universe is not outside of you. Look inside yourself; everything that you want, you already are."
Thank you Aisha.
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Aisha and I met in the cutting room of the Doc Society offices on Frith Street, gluing together one of the first mainstream climate podcasts of the time, Mothers of Invention.
As the climate justice consultant it was my job to critique the ideas of white feminism in the podcast. It was a tough job at that time to have these conversations in tv, film, podcasts about race and gender and representation. It was a different time.
The conversations could get heated and in those moments Aisha was a steady ally. Together we wrestled, especially with the feisty industry legend Jess Search, dear friend and mentor. Together we made some great podcasts but we also saw what was missing. This is where the idea for Climate Reframe was born.
The idea was disarmingly simple: to create a guide to some of the best black, brown, asian, people of colour who are UK based and are climate experts, campaigners and advocates. To diversify the voices, the perspectives, the expertise accessible in mainstream culture.
That was back in 2020. The idea worked, it took off and in 2021, the project spun out of Doc Society. Climate Reframe grew into a community supporting and strengthening one another. I stepped back and Farhana Yamin ran the project for a few years until it was my turn to take the reins but all that time Aisha was the steady beat, the quiet glue.
This could get very long if I went into what Aisha meant to me. We were comrades and friends in an industry that is tough. Through our care and commitment to centering BIPOC voices we made Climate Reframe persist through highs and lows and persist we did. We reached new milestones, ready to launch in 2026 with partners to expand and amplify the mission.
I will do my best to continue our work and honor Aisha - in particular with the joy she brought to Climate Reframe. If you haven’t met the community yet, don’t be shy to come and find us.
Aisha is now resting in a mountainous area that was very dear to her. She was committed to being in nature and expanding her faith and it was inspiring to see her photos of the landscape that were lifting her spirits after she lost both her parents in the last years. It is a comfort to think of her in that place.
In Aisha’s memory, her family have set up a donation page to raise funds to build a solar powered water well - please do donate if you feel able - Sadaqah Jariya In loving memory of Aisha Younis. ‘By means of water, we give life to everything’ (Qur’an, 21:30).
Signing off with love and sympathy for those who feel Aisha’s loss and an arm of comradeship for all those of us who will travel on together.
Yours,
Suzanne Dhaliwal
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This month's playlist is one that Aisha made for the Doc Society team back in 2021.
Enjoy. It is a cracker
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BFI Doc Society Made of Truth Short Film Fund Grantees
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Future Proof 2026 Participants
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We are excited to share the participants selected for Future Proof, a three-month development lab supporting ten formally innovative non-fiction cinema and immersive works by emerging to mid-career directors and lead creatives. Delivered by FACT Liverpool and Doc Society, and supported by the BFI Creative Challenge Fund through National Lottery funding, the programme creates focused space for independent makers to develop bold new work that engages with evolving technologies of production and prepares projects for financing. Future Proof asks a central question: how can documentary makers adapt to, learn from, and critically engage with technological futures such as AI, big data, and virtual and augmented environments, at a time when these tools are reshaping ideas of truth?
Taking place across Liverpool, London, and Copenhagen, the programme brings together technological workshops, editorial mentorship, and curated encounters with leading non-fiction directors and artists, culminating in March 2026 with participating projects introduced to the international non-fiction film and immersive market at CPH:Forum as part of CPH:DOX in Denmark. Find out more about our participants here.
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Doc Society at Big Sky Documentary Film Festival
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This February, Doc Society is participating in DocShop programming at Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, taking part in three sessions at the Missoula Public Library that explore collective practice, collaboration, and global models shaping the future of documentary filmmaking. Attendees are welcome to join these events. More details and speaker information here.
Thinking as a Collective: The Value of Cooperatives & Coalitions
(February 16, 9:30 AM MST)
This session explores how documentary filmmakers are responding to shrinking budgets and narrowing opportunities by working together. The panel looks at how cooperatives and coalitions are reshaping production models, sharing power, and building more sustainable, people-first futures for documentary film.
Indigenous Impact Alliance: A Collective Strategy Model
(February 16, 3:30 PM MST)
Focusing on the Indigenous Impact Alliance, this conversation reflects a shift from competition to collaboration in impact work. Drawing on a year-long initiative across multiple films, the session explores shared strategies, collective commitments, and what it takes to build coordinated impact together.
Beyond Borders: Global Models Shaping the Future of Documentary
(February 18, 9:30 AM MST)
This panel examines documentary filmmaking as a global ecosystem shaped by diverse cultural and funding models. It highlights international approaches to artist support and explores how long-form, risk-taking storytelling is sustained across borders.
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We’re so happy to share that two wonderful Doc Society-supported films are heading to Berlinale International Film Festival 2026. Douglas Gordon by Douglas Gordon, directed and produced by Finlay Pretsell and produced by Sonja Henrici and Estelle Robin You, will make its World Premiere, while Riding Time, directed by Roopa Gogineni and Farhaan Mumtaz and produced by Fahd Ahmed and Roopa Gogineni, will screen as an International Premiere.
Both films are proudly supported by the BFI Doc Society Fund and the BFI Doc Society Made of Truth Fund, made possible with National Lottery funding, and we can’t wait for audiences in Berlin to experience them.
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Ones to Watch at SXSW 2026
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This March, we have two Doc Soc supported films premiering at SXSW, you’ll want to catch these films if you’re in Austin.
#WhileBlack centres on Darnella Frazier, whose footage of George Floyd’s murder sparked a global reckoning. #WhileBlack looks beyond the moment itself to examine the cost of going viral while Black, unpacking online harassment, surveillance, and the platforms that profit from pain.Directed by Sidney Fussell and Jennifer Holness, and produced by Ann Shin and Mariam Bastani, the film is proudly supported by the Threshold Fund.
Daughters of the Forest: Mycelium Chronicles, directed by Otilia Portillo and produced by Paula Arroio, Elena Fortes, Otilia Portillo Padua, will have its North American premiere at SXSW Visions. Filmed in the forests of central and southern Mexico, this sci-fi documentary reveals a story that's often erased: the crucial role of Indigenous women in understanding fungi and what their knowledge offers for reimagining our future. The film is supported by the Climate Story Fund. Huge congratulations to these incredible teams!
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Molly Vs The Machines premiering at Glasgow Film Festival
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Directed and produced by Marc Silver, and produced by Kat Mansoor and Natalie Humphreys, the film tells the story of Ian Russell and his fight for online safety, following twin narratives: the story of what happened to his daughter, Molly Russell in the lead-up to her tragic death, and the broader economic logic behind AI and Big Tech as it continues to shape, influence and infiltrate our lives. The trailer was released last week, make sure to check it out here.
This film speaks directly to the Democracy Story Unit’s wider work and our focus on Big Tech as one of our three narrative priorities. The questions we keep returning to are: what are the stories we need to be telling in this moment of technological upheaval and social disordering, and who gets to shape our digital futures?
The film will launch as part of the Glasgow Film Festival’s premiere slate on Sunday March 1st, releasing simultaneously in 30* cinemas across the country as part of a world exclusive one night only event. Check out Molly Vs The Machines’ website for more deets!
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Coming Soon to Independent Lens on PBS
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Mark your calendars! The Librarians, directed and produced by Kim A. Snyder, and produced by Janique L. Robillard, Maria Cuomo Cole, and Jana Edelbaum, premieres on Independent Lens on February 9th! This powerful film is proudly supported by the Threshold fund.
After traveling to audiences across the U.S. and sparking conversations around libraries, education, and access to information, The Librarians comes to US viewers nationwide through public media, shining a light on the librarians standing up for intellectual freedom and defending their communities as they navigate the growing debate over what stories belong on our shelves. Make sure you tune in!
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Watch Homegrown in the US for a limited time!
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Directed by Michael S. Premo, Homegrown follows three conservatives whose activism escalates into a wider conflict over identity, power, and the future of American democracy. The award winning documentary is available to watch for a limited time. Catch it now across North America until President's Day on February 16th. Watch it here!
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Impact Highlight with Neidinha Bandeira
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Almost four years after The Territory premiered at Sundance, its impact is still unfolding. At Global Artivism, we spoke with one of the film’s protagonists Neidinha Bandeira about what has changed since the film’s release. From advocating for the removal of illegal invaders from Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau land, to the film being used by law enforcement, universities, and communities as a tool for understanding how deforestation and land invasion actually happens. Catch the Impact Highlight video here and the full length of The Territory Impact Case Study video here!
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New GIPA Provocation by Sofia Setyorini
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What does it really mean to sit with other people’s pain as part of your work?
In this powerful new provocation, GIPA Regional Ambassador Sofia Setyorini reflects on the emotional cost of impact producing, and the quiet toll of carrying stories shaped by trauma, violence, and loss. Drawing from her work on Homebound and years of engagement with Indonesian migrant worker communities, Sofia names something that is rarely acknowledged in our field: that listening deeply is not neutral, and that impact producers are not untouched by the stories they help bring into the world.
This piece is a call to recognise boundaries, support systems, and mental health care as essential parts of impact practice, not optional extras. It asks us to reflect on where responsibility ends, how care can be shared, and what it takes to sustain ourselves while doing this work with integrity.
Read the provocation, follow and engage with us on LinkedIn and learn more about GIPA here!
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A New Impact Field Guide Resource
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We’re buzzing to share a new video series from AFLAMUNA, now live on the Impact Field Guide, created as part of their Impact Narrative Shift program.
The series brings together seasoned, hands-on impact practitioners who took part in AFLAMUNA’s Impact Producers’ Fellowship, offering practical insight into how films can be designed and supported to create real-world change. Topics include impact strategy, fundraising, partnerships, alternative distribution, awareness-building, and safety considerations.
Big shouts to these legends - Emily Wanja, Erin Sorenson, Hollie Fifer, Michael Collins, Victoria Solano, Vanessa Cuervo Forero, Maya Newell, William Tilmouth, and Rachel Naŋinaaq Edwardson.
Developed from a fellowship delivered in 2022–2023, these interviews reflect years of on-the-ground experience in Kenya, Columbia, Australia, and the US. The conversations are a valuable resource for filmmakers, producers, and organisations looking to strengthen the impact of their films.
Friends, check out AFLAMUNA’s new video series, explore the guide & suggest a resource here.
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Kickstarter’s Open Call for Shorts in 2026 Matthew Cherry to Georgia Oakley, countless award-winning filmmakers have launched short films on Kickstarter. Now it’s your turn. Long Story Short, Kickstarter’s annual celebration of bold short films, returns this March, spotlighting narrative, animation, and documentary creators of all levels.
Between now and March 2026, Kickstarter will share resources for short-form filmmakers. Then, in March, they’ll promote shorts in Kickstarter newsletters, on social media, and more. Want in? Learn more and apply here!
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Points North Fellowship and Pitch- Applications Now Open! Points North Institute are now accepting applications for the Points North Fellowship Program, which supports early to mid-career non-fiction filmmakers developing feature-length documentaries. For over 15 years, the Fellowship has brought together filmmakers from around the world for an immersive program of mentorship, workshops and industry connection, culminating in the Points North Pitch in Camden each September. Learn more about the program and apply here.
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Grierson DocLab: New Entrants Do you love documentaries? Are you UK-based & aged 18-25? Then the Grierson DocLab: New Entrants training programme from the Grierson Trust could be the thing for you. From intensive training to bursary-supported work placements at production companies, the initiative will provide up to 12 successful individuals with the skills, confidence and connections to thrive in factual TV and documentary-making. They especially welcome applications from disabled people, those from global majority backgrounds, people from working-class backgrounds, those from the LGBTQ+ community, and more! Deadline to apply: 5pm, Thursday 19 February 2026.
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Venice Gap-Financing Market: Call for Projects Now Open. The Venice Production Bridge has opened the call for projects for the 13th edition of the Venice Gap-Financing Market, taking place September 4-6, 2026, during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
The market supports European and international producers of fiction features, creative documentaries, and immersive projects seeking final gap financing, through curated one-to-one meetings with key international decision-makers, including financiers, broadcasters, sales agents, distributors, and funds. Selected projects must have the majority of financing already in place and be led by experienced directors and producers. The deadline to apply is April 30, 2026.
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🎉 Top Prize at Sundance. We're thrilled to celebrate To Hold a Mountain, directed by Climate Story Fund grantees Biljana Tutorov and Petar Glomazić, which has won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize for Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival! The jury praised this "visually and emotionally stunning film" for its intimate portrait of a family fighting to protect their land and way of life in the mountains of Montenegro. Congratulations to the entire team on this remarkable achievement!
🎉 Eye Honors Winners! A big shout out to these incredible filmmakers and teams who brought these films into the world. We’re so glad to have supported this work through the Threshold Fund, and to see it recognised in this way!
Production
Apocalypse in the Tropics Dir & prod. Petra Costa
Prod. Alessandra Orofino
Cinematography
Brittany Shyne, Seeds
Debut
Seeds, Dir & prod by Brittany Shyne
🎉 BAFTA nominations are in! We’re over the moon to see A Want in Her and Apocalypse in the Tropics recognised with BAFTA nominations. Massive congratulations to the film teams - what an achievement.
Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Producer or Director
A Want in Her
Dir Myrid Carten
Prod. Roisín Geraghty Documentary
Apocalypse in the Tropics
Dir & prod. Petra Costa
Prod. Alessandra Orofino
🎉 Homegrown receives duPont-Columbia Award!
🎉 BFI short, After Eight, by Usayd Younis and Mos Hannan took home the audience award at British Shorts Berlin!
🎉 The Shadow Scholars won the Main - Junior Jury Award at the Budapest International Documentary Festival!!
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That’s all folks.
Team Doc Society
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