BBC Ideas

We have now made nine films for the popular BBC online strand BBC Ideas. The films pack complex ideas into entertaining short films. Some of the films we have made in partnership with the Open University or the Royal Society and with each we aim to create something stylistically different and visually engaging.

This film explores research carried out by Dr Arran Davis at the University of Oxford that suggests that exercising with other people can have benefits over exercising alone. 

Shot on location at Fulham Reach Boat Club in London and in Cranbrook, Exeter it brings together science and sport in a stylish and engaging way.

This film, produced in collaboration with the Open University, delves into the practical applications of sport psychology in everyday life. It explores techniques such as self-talk and mental rehearsal—strategies commonly used by athletes to enhance performance—and demonstrates how they can help improve focus, confidence, and resilience in daily activities.

It’s good to get involved with your child’s sporting endeavours. But did you know, you can get too involved?

This short, information packed film gives you advice on how best to support your sporting children without being under – or over – involved.

Why Are We So Fascinated by Ghost Towns?

Shot on location in an abandoned manor house this film explores the phenomenon of Ghost Towns. From war to industrial accidents – we are often drawn to places that have been abandoned. What is it about ghost towns that intrigues us?

Made in partnership with the Open University. 

Table Manners. What do your table manners say about you? An exploration of the history and cultural significance of how we eat taking in perspectives from around the world.

Why do we stand on two legs? This film opens up completely new thinking on one of the most familiar shared human experiences of them all – standing!

Leadership expert Martin Newman shares his insight to being upright – something almost all of us take for granted. In our second short film for BBC Ideas, we explore the challenges, power and history of standing, revealing that it is much more than just a case of understanding body language. Standing is not only a state of body, it is a state of mind.

Five books that helped shape our world.

Books inspire, entertain and help us escape into new worlds – but some have also had profound and lasting impacts on society. This playful short film for BBC Ideas features experts from a range of disciplines and was made in collaboration with the Open University.

Finger prints, iris scans, voice recognition, our digital footprint…

This film examines how we now leave clues to our identity behind us wherever we go – and how these clues can be used against us.

Featuring a range of experts the film was commissioned by BBC Ideas in partnership with The Royal Society.

Endangered Languages. In this – our ninth film for BBC Ideas – we explore Endangered languages from around the world and the efforts being made to save them from extinction.

Featuring language experts Dr Oliver Mayeux and Lindsay Williams and contributions from people all over the world the film is full of fascinating information about the way languages work and the threats they face.