The 10 titles selected this year for the International Factual Forum showcase, a kaleidoscope of bold and original projects, confirm the strong interest of the global audiovisual industry in the event curated by MIA’s Doc & Factual division. This dynamic lineup ranges from culinary journeys to explorations of history, from true crime to high-adrenaline adventures. Each format brings a unique creative spark, offering a rich spectrum of storytelling designed to captivate audiences around the world.
BEST IN SHOE, produced by Reverse Image Media and created by Mandi Riggi (United Kingdom), follows sixteen visionary shoe designers as they face twelve weeks of intense challenges: realistic briefs, tight deadlines, and limited resources. Creativity, technical mastery, and determination are pushed to the limit, with prizes capable of launching careers and the support of a global fashion giant at stake for the winner. Each challenge demands bold ideas and flawless execution.
BOUND BY DESTINY/DESTINI INCROCIATI, produced by Scarlett Produzioni and created by Chiara Salvo (Italy), reveals extraordinary bonds between humans and animals in moments of crisis, change, or need. From puppies rescued from the streets marking new beginnings to the lives of elderly people revitalized by feline affection, each story highlights the small, silent miracles that transform both species.
CITIES IN THE AIR, produced by Lux Entertainment S.p.A and created by Alessandro De Angelis, Francesco Dobrovich, and Antonella Di Lullo (Italy), takes viewers behind the scenes of the global Balloon Museum phenomenon. From concept to installation, the series explores how inflatable art reshapes spaces, connects cultures, and redefines the relationship between cities, artists, and audiences.
HERITAGE CODE/КОД НАЦИИ, produced by Realitatea Film and created by Sergiu Scobioala and Traian Stoianov (Moldova), follows Moldovan citizens as they uncover surprising roots through DNA tests and genealogical discoveries, reviving forgotten traditions. Honest and moving, the series builds bridges between generations, celebrates diversity, and redefines national identity in a divided world.
ON THE ROAD WITH MARCO POLO/SULLE TRACCE DI MARCO POLO, produced by L&C S.r.l., Moonweed Digital Productions and Rai and created by Attilio Aleotti and Luca Di Cecca (Italy), follows children from across the Silk Road as they retrace the legendary journey of Marco Polo, discovering monuments, markets, and traditions through their eyes. Animation brings the story to life, weaving episodes from Il Milione into a lively and contemporary exploration.
POV, produced by Tapeless Film and created by Luca Murphy (Italy), follows a host equipped with camera glasses as he meets young people whose passions challenge conventions. By handing them the lens, the series allows audiences to literally see the world from their perspective, confronting prejudices and revealing the humanity behind what is considered “unusual.”
THE KIDS ARE WATCHING, produced by Pop Up Media and created by Neo Ntlatleng (South Africa), offers a candid and light-hearted look at how children aged 7 to 10 see the world. Through visible and hidden cameras, the show captures the humor, honesty, and surprising wisdom of a diverse new generation.
WANNABE SEX WORKER, produced by SkillShake Originals & partners and created by Fabio Stabile (Belgium/Italy/Spain), follows three aspiring adult content creators as they navigate branding, storytelling, and monetization in a digital market governed by algorithms and biases. Guided by industry experts, they confront the realities of a provocative and rapidly evolving business.
WILD WATERS, produced by EiE Film and created by Katia Bernardi (Italy), takes viewers inside an elite European river rescue unit where every exercise is a race against time. Led by the uncompromising Commander Vick, the team prepares for floods and disasters, where preparation ends and action begins, deciding between life and death.
Factual Entertainment Format UK Arts and Culture, Other Sixteen ambitious and skilled shoe designers enter the ultimate design showdown - a high-stakes, twelve-week reality competition where creative vision, technical mastery, and personal resilience are pushed to the limit. At stake are career-defining prizes and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to launch their own footwear brand with the backing of a... more
Production Company/ies:
Gary Copeland
Original title: DESTINI INCROCIATI Brand-Driven Format Italy Society There are stories of animals and people, defying time, space, and nature. Everyday stories, whose daily lives change. Men and women have crossed paths with dogs and cats, travelling difficult paths, suffering, and triumphing. The encounter between humans and animals is never accidental: it happens in a moment of need,... more
Production Company/ies:
SCARLETT PRODUZIONI
Factual Entertainment Format Italy Arts and Culture Cities in the Air is a docuseries exploring the connection between global cities, inflatable contemporary art, and its audience, through the international success of the Balloon Museum. With exclusive behind-the-scenes access, it follows large-scale exhibitions touring the world. Each episode dives into studios, production hubs, and cultural landmarks in five... more
Production Company/ies:
Lux Entertainment
Original title: КОД НАЦИИ Reality Format Moldavia Global Issues, Society Heritage Code is a reality docuseries exploring personal identity through DNA testing and family history. Each episode follows a Moldovan citizen as they uncover surprising ethnic roots and rediscover connections to forgotten traditions. From Roma communities to Gagauz villages, the show sparks reflection on diversity, belonging, and shared heritage in... more Original title: SULLE TRACCE DI MARCO POLO Factual Entertainment Format Italy Arts and Culture, Global Issues, History Along the Silk Road and Spice Route, children from Istanbul, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, China, and India guide us in Marco Polo’s footsteps. They show us ancient monuments, traditional games, exotic animal seared or adored, and vibrant markets filled with colorful silks, spices, and carpets. Through their eyes, we see a world... more
Production Company/ies:
Caterina De Mata, Niccolò Piazza, Sara Cabras
Factual Entertainment Format Italy Arts and Culture, Global Issues, Other, Society, Sport POV, short for Point of View, is a format that tells unique realities, seen from the point of view of the protagonists. Thanks to a special pair of camera-glasses, the host travels the world to meet young people who are doing out of the ordinary things and that might be... more
Production Company/ies:
Tapeless Film
Factual Entertainment Format South Africa Arts and Culture, Global Issues, History, Science, Society, Sport So what does the average 7 - 10 year old South African child think about the world we live in? And where do they get their ideas? “The Kids are watching” is a light-hearted family show where we get to meet the modern 7 – 10 year old to see... more
Production Company/ies:
The Kids are Watching - Pop Up Media
Factual Entertainment Format Belgium, Italy, Spain Society Is making money through digital sex work really that easy? Wannabe Sex Worker is a provocative docu-series following three emerging adult content creators from different European countries, each at a turning point in their journey. Gender and orientation don’t matter here, strategy does. With support from sex workers, stylists, marketers... more
Production Company/ies:
SkillShake Originals and partners
Factual Entertainment Format Italy Other Wild Waters is a gripping factual docu-series that opens the doors to professional river and flood rescue. Through the eyes of Vick, strict yet charismatic commander of the Rescue Project, we follow Europe’s top rescuers as they train to face natural disasters. Between rapids, ropes, rafts, and fear, every second... more
Production Company/ies:
EiE film
Selected Documentaries for Italian Factual Showcase 2025
BEST IN SHOE
BOUND BY DESTINY
CITIES IN THE AIR
HERITAGE CODE
ON THE ROAD WITH MARCO POLO
POV
THE KIDS ARE WATCHING
WANNABE SEX WORKER
WILD WATERS
