To coincide with the Futureproofing Factual: How the BBC is Driving Audience Connection session at Sheffield DocFest, BBC Factual has announced new commissions from Documentaries and Specialist Factual.

From Documentaries comes Prison Break – Escape from the Maze (w/t) which looks at the escape by 38 prisoners from the maximum-security prison in County Antrim, Northern Ireland; and Bel, a documentary which chronicles the legacy and talent of a lost Scottish artist and the efforts to keep her memory and music alive.

Emma Loach, Interim Head of Commissioning, Documentaries, said: “These films reflect the strength of co-commissioning across the BBC, bringing together voices and perspectives from across the UK to tell stories that feel both distinctive and universally resonant. Combining rigour and insight alongside emotionally engaging storytelling, they speak to the power of documentary filmmaking in deepening understanding and leaving a lasting impact”

From Specialist Factual comes Being Muslim After 9/11 (w/t) presented by Mobeen Azhar which looks at life for the British Muslim community since the attacks in America on September 11th 2001, and marking the 60th anniversary, Aberfan: The People’s Fight (w/t), tells the story of the extraordinary campaign that emerged in the disaster’s aftermath.

Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual said: “These are two powerful British documentaries about the long shadow cast by historic events. Being Muslim After 9/11explores how an American tragedy continues to shape the lives, identities and experiences of British Muslims a quarter of a century later, while Aberfan: The People’s Fight tells the story of a community whose determination to secure justice endured long after the disaster itself.

“Together, they show how history echoes through generations, leaving legacies that are felt not just in our institutions and politics, but in people’s everyday lives. They are thoughtful films that reflect the BBC’s commitment to telling stories that help us better understand our country and the world around us.”

Prison Break – Escape From The Maze (W/T)

Prison Break – Escape from the Maze (w/t) is a new feature length documentary about how 38 Republican prisoners escaped from one of Northern Ireland’s high security prisons.

The film includes interviews with escapees and former prison officers – many of them speaking publicly for the first time.

It describes the tensions within the prison that led to the escape, the story of what happened on the day and the wider political and security situation that followed

Mary McKeagney, BBC Northern Ireland Commissioning Editor says: “The Maze prison escape was a significant and controversial moment in the Troubles. And its real-life consequences are still being felt. This feature-length documentary will explore the story of what happened in all of its aspects – providing new insights and sharing the experiences of people who were directly affected and involved.”

Prison Break – Escape from the Maze (w/t), a 1×90’ for BBC Two, BBC Northern Ireland and iPlayer, is made by Walk On Air. It was commissioned by Clare Sillery, former Head of Commissioning, Documentaries and Mary McKeagney, BBC Northern Ireland Commissioning Editor. The Executive Producers are Rachel Hooper and Jonathan Smith, the Director is Sian McIlwaine and Producers are Adam Hagerty and Lena Ferguson. The Commissioning Editor is Fran Baker and the Assistant Commissioner is Raphaelle O’Loan.

 

Bel

The catastrophic collapse of a coal waste tip above the Welsh village of Aberfan remains one of the most devastating tragedies in modern British history. The slide engulfed a school and neighbouring homes, killing 144 people, including 116 children, in a disaster that shocked the world. But the disaster itself is only part of the story.

The documentary reveals the lesser-known struggle that followed, when a community shattered by grief was forced into a fight it should never have had to wage: to get the remaining tips removed and secure justice for its lost generation.

Determined to have their voices heard by the institutions that had ignored warnings about the danger posed by the tips, bereaved families and survivors came together to demand action. Meeting with delay, evasion and a lack of accountability from those responsible, the people of Aberfan found the strength to stand together and turn grief into a determined campaign for safety and change.

In their own words, survivors, bereaved parents and relatives of those at the forefront of the tip removal campaign remember how, in their darkest hour, the people of Aberfan battled the National Coal Board and the government.

Nick Andrews, Head of Commissioning for BBC Cymru Wales, said: “The story of Aberfan is not only about unimaginable loss, but about the strength and determination of a community in the aftermath. For one of the first times, this documentary gives space to those voices and reflects the courage shown in the fight for justice. Aberfan: The People’s Fight is an important part of how we mark this special anniversary across the BBC.”

Aberfan: The People’s Fight (w/t), a 1×60’ for BBC Two, BBC One Wales and iPlayer was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual and Nick Andrews, Head of Commissioning, BBC Cymru Wales. The Commissioning Editors are Emma Hindley and Julian Carey. Made in Wales, the documentary is produced by BBC Studios Specialist Factual Productions (Disaster at Sea: The Piper Alpha Story), the Executive Producer is Amanda Lyon and the Producer/Director is Ceri Isfryn.