Documentaries

Legendary concert film that brilliantly captures the cultural phenomenon that was the 2 Tone movement, and showcases the very best of the British Ska revival.

A beautifully textured study revealing the rich and troubled private life of the writer behind Carol.

Groundbreaking 1992 music film Weekender, coupled with Chloé Raunet’s documentary about the making of the film and its enduring impact, offering a unique insight into the heart of acid house.

Unravelling the vast cinematic contribution and elusive personal mystique of one of cinema's great masters, Jean-Luc Godard.

This is the story of the iconic Don Letts, the coolest cultural polymath – narrated by the man himself.

Edward Lovelace explores the power of communication and community with this rapturous portrait of a young deaf Kurdish boy.

Frank Sidebottom was a pillar of alternative comedy of the late 80s/early 90s, and this charming documentary remembers the man behind the papier-mâché head.

Marek Kozakiewicz’s intimate documentary debut follows Aga, who moves back home to Poland to care for her brother whilst hiding her relationship from the authorities.

Kenyan couple Samuel and Alex remain committed to each other despite the danger and hardship facing them in Peter Murimi’s moving documentary portrait.

Molly Dineen’s acclaimed documentary about renowned Brixton-based music producer Blacker Dread.

Paul Kelly's stirring and acclaimed character study of enigmatic musician Lawrence (Felt, Denim and Go-Kart Mozart).

Agnès Varda’s award-winning study of those living on the margins of French society at the turn of the millennium.

A hard-hitting and often graphic documentary about the 'chemsex' sub-scene in London’s gay community.

Menelik Shabazz (Burning an Illusion) shines a light on the music genre often dubbed ‘romantic reggae’; a uniquely black British sound that developed in the late 70s and 80s against a backdrop of riots, racial tension and sound systems.

A mesmerising portrait of a family grappling with teenage gender dysphoria, this uplifting documentary exudes the defiant message that love is all you need.

Acclaimed filmmaker Bill Morrison (Decasia) details the incredible story of the rediscovery of over 500 nitrate film prints dating from the early 1900s, preserved in the Yukon permafrost for over 70 years.

The on and off-screen character of Toshiro Mifune, Japan’s first international movie star, is explored in this illuminating documentary exploring the life and legacy of this mercurial icon.

Chantal Akerman reads letters sent to her from her mother in Belgium, against a tableau of shots of 1970s New York.

Molly Dineen reveals the inner workings of London Zoo as the institution is rocked by uncertainty and change in the first in a BAFTA-winning series of four films.

As the country clamours for a ban on fox hunting, acclaimed British documentarian Molly Dineen uncovers the unpleasant truths of life in the British countryside in this BAFTA-winning film.

Molly Dineen’s astute political documentary follows the abolition of hereditary peers and the resulting upheaval in parliament during the New Labour era.

Composed of film, music and photographs from the archives, a fascinating portrait of the life and times of the founder of cultural studies and the New Left Experience.

The inspiring journey towards freedom of Raghda and Amer, a couple brought together by the turmoil of the Syrian Civil War.

Filmmaker Tim Plester's deeply personal journey to reclaim Morris dancing from national joke to one of England's most ancient and enduring roots traditions.

The first part of Martin Scorsese's 'personal journey' through American Cinema.

The second part of Martin Scorsese's 'personal journey' through American Cinema.

The third part of Martin Scorsese's 'personal journey' through American Cinema

Dazzling document of Soviet life, by Dziga Vertov, showing a living city and the people and machines that propel it.

Claude Lanzmann's monumental chronicle of the Holocaust has been acclaimed by many as the greatest documentary ever made.

Claude Lanzmann's monumental chronicle of the Holocaust has been acclaimed by many as the greatest documentary ever made.

Premiere. A breathtaking and poignant account of the valiant 1924 British assault on the awe-inspiring peak, beautifully restored by the BFI.

The BFI Archive's restoration of Herbert Ponting's official film record of Captain Scott's tragic expedition to the South Pole, with a new score by Simon Fisher Turner.

Werner Herzog’s moving portrait of a record-breaking ski jumper.

The first in Patrick Keiller’s highly imaginative trilogy of films is a photographic trip through London, recounted by our unseen narrator.

Werner Herzog’s profound and deeply moving documentary about the experiences of a community of deaf-blind people.

Ron Peck’s experimental follow up to the groundbreaking Nighthawks is both a making-of documentary and a deeply personal film memoir.

Geri Halliwell, the most colourful and outrageous of the Spice Girls, has dramatically left the band. Two days later acclaimed documentarian, Molly Dineen, joins her in this fascinating glimpse of fame and celebrity.

Věra Chytilová's 'fictionalised documentary' uses non-actors to portray girls' lives in the cotton mills of Náchod.

What if your father was a Nazi? This is the harrowing question raised in David Evans’ thought-provoking documentary.

Martin Scorsese’s two-part love letter to Italian cinema is epic and sprawling in scope but also a deeply personal and moving testament to his passion for film.

Beautifully shot documentary about four members of the 'Sudanese Film Club' who decide to revive an old cinema.

Martin Scorsese’s two-part love letter to Italian cinema is epic and sprawling in scope but also a deeply personal and moving testament to his passion for film.