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We'd like to commission three standalone 30-minute documentary singles from suppliers based in the English regions for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ One’s Our Lives.

Our Lives celebrates bold and captivating stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things set against iconic backdrops across the UK. We’re particularly keen to see ideas that explore less well represented parts of England, and especially stories from the Midlands and North East.

Editorial brief

We want films that have appeal for audiences across the UK whilst celebrating the life and beauty of England. They need to appeal to a broad, heartland ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ One audience and have a keen sense of place, alongside epic visuals.

Our most successful films often feature these key elements:

Are character led with nuanced portrayal. This is usually based around a main protagonist and with a small cast of supporting characters, showing people in a variety of family or work dynamics and hobbies like True North: The Social Knitwork.

Tell relatable, universal stories that explore timeless and timely human themes such as love, hope and determination, like Guardian of the Night.

Are awe inspiring, with an epic narrative at their heart that offers hope, escapism, or fascination. Audiences should want to talk about these films to their friends and family. They can often feature a main character who is on an inspirational journey, like The Lakes: Our Life on the Edge.

Feel relevant, reflecting the diversity of contemporary life in England like Female Fishermen: Beyond the Buoys.

Reflect values and beliefs along with shared experiences. These can inspire and unite and may help viewers to feel more connected to communities, but without being worthy! For example, The World’s Oldest Railway.

Other impactful films featured recently include The Seal Whisperer and Our Yorkshire Stately ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½.

We don’t want down-beat or worthy ideas and aren’t looking for niche topics, history, straight current affairs or stories that will date quickly.

We’re keen to encourage first time directors, provided they are well supported by an experienced exec.

Budget

The guide budget is in the region of £70k. We are looking for an original story and treatment, with high production values.

Eligibility criteria

To pitch companies:

• must have a substantive base in the English regions as defined by
• ideally have had a broadcast commission in the last three years

Companies can submit more than one idea each, but we aim to commission a maximum of one film per company.

Timetable

Submission deadline: 5pm 14 November 2025

Shortlisted companies notified: by mid-December 2025

Final commissioning decisions: by early 2026

Deadline for delivery of final films: early July 2026

Please note, we will not accept films that cannot be delivered by this time.

How to pitch

Ideas should be submitted via ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ PiCoS to Claire Hughes, Commissioning Editor, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Current Affairs by 5pm 14 November 2025. Please add ‘Our Lives’ in the subject line.

Pitches should be a maximum of two A4 pages and should include key editorial information including the main characters and an outline of the story beats you see being covered in the 30 minutes.

For any questions, please email Claire Hughes.

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