2026 Documentaries

2026-01-03 · 43m

More donor organs are needed, but too few are available. Could the future of transplant medicine be found in the laboratory? Doctors and scientists around the world are researching ways to produce organs artificially.

2026-01-10 · 43m

No episode synopsis available yet.

2026-01-10 · 43m

No episode synopsis available yet.

2026-01-10 · 43m

No episode synopsis available yet.

2026-01-11 · 52m

H.G. Wells redefined science fiction. "The War of the Worlds” was the first story about an invasion by aliens that simultaneously managed to raise questions about human progress, immortalize Martians, and inspire countless adaptations. This documentary traces how Wells used science fiction as a moral and political fable to criticize colonialism and modernity. Wells also warned of the dangers associated with industrial, scientific, and technological progress.

2026-01-15 · 43m

No episode synopsis available yet.

2026-01-23 · 43m

Cities, floating on the ocean. It sounds like science fiction, but could soon become reality. Researchers are developing concepts for life on water - on a grand scale. Initial tests are promising. Is success a genuine possibility?

2026-02-06 · 43m

Nature often struggles in the concrete jungles of growing cities. But many animals manage to adapt to the new conditions, thanks to changes in behavior, new survival strategies and, sometimes, even genetic changes.

2026-02-07 · 52m

The United States has a huge drug problem: cheap opioids, thousands of deaths. President Trump blames Latin American cartels. But it all began 30 years ago, quite legally, in the United States. Through exclusive interviews, insider accounts and previously unpublished archive material, this two-part documentary reveals how the Sacklers bribed regulators, pushed Oxy and evaded justice despite overwhelming evidence. The two-part documentary tells the story of a crisis that continues to devastate parts of American society to this day.

2026-02-11 · 43m

There are around 1,500 known active volcanoes worldwide. A volcano is considered active if it has erupted in the last 10,000 years. Around 40 to 60 volcanoes erupt every year.

2026-02-12 · 43m

Liberland is a country that doesn’t officially exist. A country that promises voluntary taxes and a lean state. It’s a libertarian utopia that’s finding more supporters worldwide. The Liberland experiment may seem like an oddity, but it also raises serious questions: Cryptocurrencies and decentralized networks are undermining traditional national borders, and radical market ideas are gaining influence. Parallel structures are emerging. Critics see them as a threat to democracy. Others, of course, sense opportunity.

2026-02-13 · 86m

No episode synopsis available yet.

2026-02-14 · 51m

No episode synopsis available yet.

2026-02-16 · 52m

What made our ancestors evolve in such an extraordinary way? This film presents the latest scientific theories on how the human species evolved and looks at the shadow side of our unique abilities.

2026-02-18 · 43m

Europe wants to encourage economic growth, while also saving our planet from climate collapse. The name of the plan to do this is the "Green Deal.” Under the Green Deal, electric cars are supposed to replace combustion engines, and renewable energies will be used instead of coal, oil, and gas. But green technologies require many critical raw materials, like lithium and rare earths. But these raw materials are rarely mined in Europe anymore. Currently, they come from faraway places like Africa, South America, Russia, and above all, China.

2026-02-21 · 54m

No episode synopsis available yet.

2026-02-25 · 43m

Sixty years ago, Europe's first seawater desalination plant was built in the Canary Islands. This technology for producing fresh water was a blessing for the islands. Now, it could prove to be a curse for the ecosystem. This water treatment system is essential for life in the area - but is it compatible with the principles of sustainable development?

2026-02-27 · 43m

In India, more than 80 women are raped every day. This number is probably just the tip of the iceberg. In most cases, the crimes are not reported - whether out of shame, fear of the perpetrator, or mistrust of the police and the justice system. For six months, a camera crew accompanied Kinjal and her family in their search for justice. A glimpse behind the scenes in India, where the violence of the caste system and the weight of tradition determine the lives of hundreds of millions of women.

2026-03-04 · 44m

Smaller than an atom, and able to race through objects at the speed of light: these mysterious particles are called neutrinos. They could possibly hold the key to the existence of all matter. To observe them, scientists must venture into the eerie silence that reigns only in the most remote places on Earth - or at the bottom of the deepest mines. Using computer animations and access to underground observatories in Canada, Japan, and Antarctica, the documentary follows the interstellar journey of a neutrino crossing our planet from the other side of a black hole. This fascinating and metaphysical film provides insight into the history of Earth and reveals how the secrets of the universe could be unlocked if we listen to our planet.

2026-03-07 · 43m

India has set its sights on becoming an economic global power. For western entrepreneurs, the country could be a feasible alternative to China. But how sustainable is the current boom?

2026-03-11 · 44m

Lightning is a force of nature. Traveling at a speed of 100,000 km/h, with a temperature five times that of the Sun's surface, it strikes the Earth millions of times a day. But what makes lightning? Does it have a purpose? The phenomenon has puzzled generations of scientists for centuries, from Benjamin Franklin to Nikola Tesla. Today, in a bid to unravel its true nature, researchers are trying to achieve something once thought to be impossible: capturing lightning.

2026-03-12 · 43m

Sugar has long played a central role in the global economy. But this lucrative business was also a major driver of both colonialism and slavery. To this day, workers are systematically exploited for sugar production.

2026-03-12 · 43m

Sugar has long played a central role in the global economy. But this lucrative business was also a major driver of both colonialism and slavery. To this day, workers are systematically exploited for sugar production.

2026-03-13 · 86m

The documentary shows the evolutionary history of our planet, in which the history of humankind represents only a brief moment. Rocks existed on our planet long before the oceans, forests, plants, and even air came into being. From the very beginning, the earth itself was the foundation of creation. The documentary looks at how inanimate matter created life, shaped landscapes, and gave rise to civilizations.

2026-03-19 · 43m

Women's hearts differ from men's, and often present subtler heart attack symptoms. This can lead to dangerously late diagnoses. Every minute counts in a heart attack: as soon as the blood supply stops, heart tissue begins to die, irretrievably.

2026-03-27 · 42m

Octopus is considered a delicacy - grilled, boiled, or fried. But rising demand has consequences, and in several regions of Europe, this intelligent cephalopod is already considered overfished. The ecological consequences of octopus overfishing are already visible: in Italy, the invasive blue crab is spreading uncontrollably. It is one of the octopus's favorite foods - but without natural enemies, it is now destroying mussel farming in the Po Delta and thus posing a threat to livelihoods.

2026-04-01 · 52m

Dan Brown's novel "The Da Vinci Code” is one of the century’s most successful thrillers worldwide. But how much truth is behind the claims made in the book - and what is pure fiction?

2026-04-03 · 45m

Gothic architecture emerged in France in the 12th century. This architectural style revolutionized church construction, creating cathedrals that soared skywards. But where did the knowledge and technology for building these monuments come from?

2026-04-10 · 86m

More than 140 years after its invention, the car remains a source of fascination for many people. In Germany, for example, there are more vehicles on the road than ever before. For some, the car is a cult object. But it also deeply polarizing. Germany is considered the birthplace of the automobile. Here, cars are like the family's favorite child. Many Germans maintain an emotional relationship with motorized vehicles - one explored in this film.

2026-04-11 · 52m

In Sudan, the government is waging a bloody civil war against rebels. An estimated 12 million people have fled their homes, either to destinations within the country or to neighboring states. Many of them are seeking help in Chad. It is arguably the world's biggest humanitarian crisis - yet the civil war in Sudan has received little attention from the international community.

2026-04-15 · 56m

All organisms harbor an invisible, omnipresent enemy: plastic. Researchers worldwide have shown that plastic particles can also be detected in humans - in organs and bodily fluids. The documentary shows the current state of research on the harmfulness of microplastics and the consequences for the human species. Micro- and nanoplastics pollute the environment and pose a threat to humans and animals.

2026-04-16 · 43m

Constant stimuli, digital distractions - how can we stay focused these days? Does talent, training, or technology help? Neuroscientists and mental coaches show how concentration works in the brain. In an increasingly demanding world, we seem to be able to concentrate less and less. How does our brain manage to focus, even when we’re constantly exposed to distractions? This documentary accompanies a top athlete, an air traffic controller trainee, and an e-sports professional on their journeys in search of maximum focus.

2026-04-18 · 52m

What many smartphone users know: the apps on their phones collect detailed location data. What few people know: the information often ends up with a global network of data brokers and advertising companies.

2026-04-30 · 43m

The axolotl, a tailed amphibian, is a marvel of evolution. It can regenerate injured body parts and is exceptionally long-lived. However, the axolotl's habitat is now under serious threat. The latest census revealed that fewer than a hundred specimens exist in the wild.

2026-05-20 · 52m

The internet is being flooded with AI-generated garbage. Disinformation, propaganda, a flood of synthetic images and sounds. Will we soon only be getting information that AI feeds us?

2026-05-22 · 43m

Sushi: Once an expensive gourmet food, now a global fast-food phenomenon. Whether you get it from an Asian snack bar or a supermarket to-go box, sushi is trendy. But sushi consumption also brings problems. Overfishing through aggressive fishing methods, factory farming and modern slave labor are all part of the dark side of the great sushi craze.

2026-05-29 · 43m

Our memory also makes us who we are. The experiences and feelings we’ve stored, the knowledge we’ve retained - all of this connects us to ourselves and our past. But how can we improve our memory and make it more efficient? How can we keep it fit and healthy? What happens when it fails us?

2026-06-05 · 44m

The Peruvian Altiplano is one of the most extreme habitats in the world. Located over 4,000 meters above sea level, the region attracts millions of visitors - and pushes many of them to their physical limits. But for tens of thousands of people, the highlands are everyday life.

2026-06-10 · 54m

While tech companies promise us a better future, AI is already causing serious harm. Huge data centers and server farms are required for AI programs to function. These are paving over landscapes and consuming immense amounts of water and electricity — mostly from fossil fuels, and thus dirty energy sources. Millions of low-wage workers worldwide are busy feeding data to, and training, the algorithms for AI programs — often at the expense of their mental and emotional health. These workers, many of them young and living in the Global South, are exposed to all manner of harmful content to train AI models to detect such material.

2026-06-14 · 52m

Ever since Donald Trump started talking about acquiring Greenland, the country has become the focus of global attention. Why? As the ice sheets melt, the Arctic Ocean is opening up to shipping and resource extraction. Greenland is thus becoming a key strategic region between North America, Europe and Russia. Its vast mineral resources - ranging from oil and gas to gold and rare earths, which are indispensable for the energy transition and the defense industry - are turning the island into a new El Dorado. Mining companies and world powers alike are competing for a share.

2026-06-17 · 52m

So far, the residents of the village of Timbulsloko in Java have been able to keep pace with the rising sea levels by building their homes on higher ground. How long can that go on for? Where once roads and vast rice fields stood, there's now nothing but water. The ocean has carved deep into the land, washing away everything in its path: Homes, gardens, mangrove forests. For generations, people here lived mainly from rice farming. Now they fish, and are experimenting with aquaculture. Residents here are struggling to contain the impacts. How long can they stop the water from disrupting their day-to-day living? At which point will they be forced to leave?

2026-06-19 · 43m

No episode synopsis available yet.

2026-06-20 · 52m

This film tells the story of Ahmed and his family, camel herders in the deserts of western India. For generations, they’ve roamed the barren land with their animals, leading lives shaped by tradition and nature. But this way of life is coming under increasing pressure: industrialization, climate change and economic challenges are rapidly transforming the region and threatening the future of nomadic life.

2026-06-25 · 54m

Nikola Tesla, born in 1856 in what is now Croatia, was one of the world’s greatest inventors. He developed numerous innovations in the field of electrical engineering and was granted over 280 patents, many of them in the USA.

2026-06-26 · 43m

No episode synopsis available yet.

2026-06-27 · 86m

Leyla loves her daughter Nila more than anything. But there’s a problem: according to Iranian law, Nila does not exist. Because she is an illegitimate child, she has no papers or rights. Mother and daughter must fight the absurd rules of a disingenuous regime. But the resourceful duo refuse to give up. They hope to become part of Iranian society and save Nila from a life in hiding. "Nila's Dream in the Garden of Eden" accompanies Leyla in her struggle to achieve recognition of her daughter Nila's identity. Until then, she cannot obtain papers, go to school or receive medical care. The doors of Iranian society are closed to her.

2026-07-01 · 51m

Researchers are investigating how animals behave in swarms. Their findings are being applied to robotics, logistics and new models of participation — and are opening up new perspectives for business and democracy.

2026-07-02 · 43m

Women in Latin America are recruited with brutal methods, then enslaved in Europe. A survivor recounts how she was lured to Spain with the promise of a job, then forced into prostitution.

2026-07-03 · 87m

In 1776, America was torn: between loyalty to the British Crown, and its own desire for independence. 250 years later, digitized eyewitness accounts provide insights into daily life during the War of Independence for the first time.

2026-07-07 · 29m

Humans kill more than 100,000 dolphins worldwide each year. Many end up as bycatch in fishing nets. Others are hunted down. Japan, the Faroe Islands and West Africa are three places where the animals are slaughtered. Dolphins play an important role in marine ecosystems, but their numbers are dwindling. About one third of dolphin species are endangered. Researchers are monitoring their behavior and raising public awareness by visiting local schools and teaching children about the need to protect the species. Can this effort aid in the protection of Africa's dolphins?

2026-07-08 · 58m

IKEA is one of the world’s largest consumers of wood. Almost 15 million cubic meters of the material are used every year in cheap IKEA products — with millions of trees felled for the mass production machine. IKEA Loves Wood ('IKEA elsker træ') is a Danish investigative documentary from 2024 that looks at IKEA's forestry practices in the Rumanian Carpathian Mountains — an area with some of the last old-growth forests of Europe. Biologists, environmental groups and local activists say the Swedish furniture giant’s timber production is having a significant impact on old-growth forests and biodiversity. IKEA, however, states that it doesn’t tolerate illegal or unethical practices and that its suppliers are carefully selected.

2026-07-11 · 90m

The European eel is threatened with extinction. But it is also a highly sought-after commodity on the global market. The trade in young eels is booming. And it’s increasingly controlled by organized crime. The film "Billion Dollar Babies — The Big Business of Eel Trafficking" tells the story of a multi-billion-dollar illegal trade, centered on one of nature’s most enigmatic creatures. Born in the Sargasso Sea near the Bermuda Triangle, the eel begins its journey of up to 5,000 kilometers to Europe — as a translucent ‘willow-leaf’ larva known as a glass eel. To this day, it remains unclear exactly how the European eel reproduces. Commercial breeding isn’t possible: every eel consumed comes from the wild.

2026-07-22 · 54m

The graphic novel "My Friend Dahmer” recounts the early years of a serial killer in the US. This deeply disturbing book by Derf Backderf, a school friend of Dahmer’s, delves into the depths of human madness. Jeffrey Dahmer, one of the most feared serial killers in US history, was arrested in 1991. He had killed 17 men, most of them young, Black, and gay. When he learned of the crimes, Derf Backderf suddenly found himself confronted with his own past: at secondary school and sixth form, he had been on friendly terms with Dahmer, who was already considered an outsider at the time. To process his shock and make sense of it all, Backderf decided to write a graphic novel — a project spanning almost 20 years. "My Friend Dahmer” became one of the most significant works in the genre.

2026-08-04 · 29m

Ebola, COVID-19 and mpox - some of the illnesses caused by germs that jump from animals to humans. In the Central African Republic, researchers are searching for the origins of these zoonotic diseases. Frédéric Singa is a WWF veterinarian working in the Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas in the Central African Republic. He captures bats, collects samples from gorilla droppings, and talks to people with diseases to better understand which pathogens are circulating in the forest. As part of his research, Singa also plans to regularly test bushmeat sold in local markets, but to do so he needs the community to be on his side. Will he manage to convince skeptical hunters and market vendors to support his project?

2026-08-05 · 52m

As Apple turns 50, this film tells the story of the tech company that revolutionized our world, along with its opportunities and downsides. Has this tool of liberation become an instrument of control?

2026-08-14 · 44m

As the war on Ukraine rages on, drone technology is advancing rapidly — and fundamentally changing the battlefield. How close are we to the ultimate "killer drone"—an autonomous weapon that can select and destroy a target without human intervention? Does it matter whether death is caused by human hands or by a machine? Can we limit this technology to the front lines, or will it seep into everyday life? The film explores how tech drones are changing war.

2026-08-21 · 86m

For some he's a hero. For others, he’s public enemy number one. Certainly, his revelations challenged US power. This film follows the WikiLeaks founder’s extraordinary life story. With the publication of thousands of secret US military and diplomatic documents in 2010, WikiLeaks ushered in a new information age. Suddenly, thanks to founder Julian Assange, state secrets were out in the open — and under scrutiny. For many journalists and activists, Assange was a pioneer who used new technologies to evade both censorship and reprisals. For others, he symbolized an openness that could bring both nation states and multinational corporations to their knees.

2026-08-22 · 52m

Over the past 10 years, climate change has displaced an average of 70,000 people, every day. This, according to figures from the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR. Poorer countries are particularly hard hit. There is no universal legal framework that would offer these people protection. Climate-induced displacement is not recognised as a valid ground for asylum under the Geneva Convention. Now, three countries in Latin America, the Pacific and Asia are responding to an emergency that directly affects each of them.

2026-08-26 · 54m

From March 1976, Argentina was ruled for several years by a military junta led by General Jorge Videla. Some 30,000 people were abducted and murdered by the regime’s security forces. Many of their children disappeared - but where did they go? After searching for many years, investigators made a shocking discovery: many of these children had been secretly adopted by families with links to the military, and raised under new identities. In some cases, they were living with people who had been involved in the crimes committed against their parents. The documentary traces the history of Argentina's disappeared children and follows families’ ongoing search for truth, identity and justice. It focuses on the mothers and grandmothers who have been searching for their loved ones for decades, as well as the children themselves, now adults coming to terms with their origins and the circumstances of their past.

2026-09-02 · 53m

Deforestation is increasing, and CO2 emissions are reaching record levels. In the fight against environmental catastrophe, planting trees is often presented as a silver bullet. Politicians, NGOs, and multinational corporations are turning to this simple and affordable solution. But could excessive tree planting actually exacerbate the ecological imbalance we are trying to combat? This documentary examines the real-life impacts of global tree-planting campaigns, featuring interviews with researchers in France, Brazil, Portugal, Spain, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

2026-09-09 · 55m

The film offers a glimpse into the tough business of deep-sea fishing - work the fishermen love, despite the hardships.

2026-09-10 · 86m

On September 11th, 2001, four hijacked airplanes struck the heart of America. At 8:46 am, New York time, the first airplane crashed into the World Trade Centre -- an attack whose global consequences still reverberate to this day. But how could the attack manage to succeed? Months before the attacks, the CIA had crucial leads - including the names of known terrorists. Yet they failed to put the puzzle together. This documentary retraces the attacks of September 11th, 2001 in precise chronological order - in the air, at Ground Zero, in newsrooms and in the centers of power in the USA. Archival footage, audio recordings and findings from the 9/11 Commission Report make it possible to reconstruct the events, almost in real time.

2026-09-23 · 49m

"Life on the Spectrum" tells the stories of Sebastian, Lena, Diane and Elias. With sensitivity and intimacy, it shows us just how varied and complicated life with autism can be. There’s Sebastian, who's looking for a partner. Lena wants to become a doctor, despite all the setbacks she has faced. And Diane, who wants to help her son Elias settle into school life, but keeps encountering obstacles in the process. They offer us moving insights into their lives at these pivotal moments. The documentary doesn't focus on the diagnosis, but rather on the people themselves, with their hopes, strengths and vulnerabilities. With a gentle camera style and a visual language that also brings inner landscapes to life, the documentary opens doors to a world that's still unfamiliar to many.

2026-09-24 · 48m

"Life on the Spectrum" tells the stories of Sebastian, Lena, Diane and Elias. With sensitivity and intimacy, it shows us just how varied and complicated life with autism can be. There’s Sebastian, who's looking for a partner. Lena wants to become a doctor, despite all the setbacks she has faced. And Diane, who wants to help her son Elias settle into school life, but keeps encountering obstacles in the process. They offer us moving insights into their lives at these pivotal moments. The documentary doesn't focus on the diagnosis, but rather on the people themselves, with their hopes, strengths and vulnerabilities. With a gentle camera style and a visual language that also brings inner landscapes to life, the documentary opens doors to a world that's still unfamiliar to many.

2026-09-27 · 58m

Germany is one of the most important destination countries for counterfeit goods in Europe. The trade in counterfeit goods is booming—especially in clothing and accessories. But most dangerous of all are counterfeit medications. The trade in fake medications has become extremely lucrative. In some cases, it is even more profitable than the drug trade. This investigative documentary traces the paths of counterfeit brand-name products and medications, uncovers production facilities, and exposes the criminal networks behind them. Laboratory tests show that counterfeit medications can be harmful to consumers’ health. In some cases, they can even be life-threatening.

2026-10-03 · 52m

From peasants' son to revolutionary leader — Mao Zedong laid the foundation for modern China. This three-part documentary offers an in-depth look at one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. The legacy of the "founding father" of the People's Republic of China remains deeply controversial. Revered in Europe as a revolutionary icon in the late 1960s, Mao led China to the brink of disaster and ultimately clung to power with a regime of terror. Yet today's leaders in Beijing continue to draw on the cult of Mao. China is now a global power, a transformation that would be difficult to imagine without Mao Zedong. Archival footage, as well as interviews with historians and eyewitnesses, tell the story of the man who changed China forever.

2026-10-07 · 52m

Why do people in Europe refer to them as "Arabic numerals" when they were invented in India? How could ten tiny symbols conquer the world? And how did zero change the course of history? From Europe to America, and from the dawn of modern science to the computer age — the fascinating history of these ten small digits is enmeshed with the stories of the people who invented, spread, adopted, imposed and scrutinized them. Little by little, they have permeated every area of our lives. With the computer, numbers became the code of the modern age — and the only truly universal language.

2026-10-09 · 44m

Our skin connects us to the world while also providing us with a boundary and a layer of protection. It's a biotope, an object of desire, and it allows us to smell the way we do. How can we keep our skin healthy, and heal it when it's unwell?

2026-10-10 · 52m

From peasants' son to revolutionary leader — Mao Zedong laid the foundation for modern China. This three-part documentary offers an in-depth look at one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. The legacy of the "founding father" of the People's Republic of China remains deeply controversial. Revered in Europe as a revolutionary icon in the late 1960s, Mao led China to the brink of disaster and ultimately clung to power with a regime of terror. Yet today's leaders in Beijing continue to draw on the cult of Mao. China is now a global power, a transformation that would be difficult to imagine without Mao Zedong. Archival footage, as well as interviews with historians and eyewitnesses, tell the story of the man who changed China forever.