Documentary Film Production

Subject-based, observational and interview-driven documentaries, made with the patience, judgement and people skills to build trust, work with access and get the best from contributors.

Floating Harbour makes documentary and factual films from Bristol, working across the UK and internationally. The work ranges from feature documentaries for broadcasters and streamers to commissioned films for organisations dealing with complex subjects. We develop ideas, film them and finish them, with development, production and post-production under one roof.

Working with Floating Harbour

We work on commissions from broadcasters, streamers and organisations, and we develop documentary ideas from scratch with the people who hold the story. Our credits include work for the BBC and Netflix, and films selected for international festivals.

We take projects from first conversation through filming to delivery, or join at the point where a project needs experienced hands. Either way we expect to contribute editorially, not simply supply a crew.

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Documentary films for organisations

Documentary works particularly well for organisations dealing with complex subjects that need time, credibility and a human perspective.

We understand how to turn these subjects into clear, engaging stories that people will actually watch, understand and remember.

Broadcast and streaming documentary

We develop and produce documentary for broadcasters and streamers, from single films to longer-form projects that follow a subject over months or years.

Development matters as much as the shoot. We develop the idea, test the access and build a production plan that works creatively, practically and within budget.

Advocacy for Causes

We’re particularly interested in projects related to:

Climate change and environmental protection.
Conservation efforts.
Conflict and geopolitics.
Social justice and human rights.

How we work

Good documentary production depends on access, patience and judgement throughout the process. Those are strengths we bring from development and filming through to the edit.

Much of what makes a documentary work happens in the relationship with contributors: turning up properly, explaining what we are doing, and giving people the time and space to say something true rather than something rehearsed.

Editing, colour grading, audio and graphics can all stay with our own team, while we also bring in specialist talent when a project benefits from it.

We are comfortable with complex shoots, multi-location projects and long production timelines, and equally with a single day and one contributor.

Working with filmmakers and production companies

We do co-produce and collaborate, though it is not the main part of what we do and we are deliberately selective about it.

For filmmakers looking for a co-producer or development partner, we can bring creative, editorial and production experience, practical resources and a willingness to make a real contribution to the project.

We collaborate with production companies selectively, where the project is exceptional or there is a clear reason for Floating Harbour to be involved.

We also hear from individuals with documentary ideas. We are interested where the story is genuinely exceptional, or where the access is unique and already secured.

If you have a documentary commission, a funded project, or genuinely exceptional access to a story, get in touch and tell us about it.