Copyright Variety
Documentaries limited by a lack of available video may now have another option: Filmmaker and creative agency vet Daniel Clarke has launched Unfeatured Films, which he boasts will use “cost-effective AI-driven innovation” to take archival photos and footage and turn them into usable video clips. The company said it plans to “restore and resurrect archival footage in ways never before seen.” “We’re building a studio that creates human-centric, cinematic docs that use AI not for shortcuts but for breakthroughs,” Clarke said in a statement. “This allows us to tell the past with the vividness of the present and to do it at a scale and cost that opens new doors for filmmakers and buyers alike. New technology makes the impossible possible, allowing us to film the past. I’m dedicated to using these new tools while preserving the human craft that is imperative to strong storytelling.” Clarke said the documentaries will still rely on a “human-led production process” but incorporate AI techniques for the visuals. First up: Unfeatured Films has announced its first documentary project, “No Hands: The Wild Ride of the Schwinn Bicycle Company,” which it plans to have ready in time to hit the festival circuit in early 2026. According to Unfeatured, filmmakers working on the project boast credits include the Bill Murray-narrated 2019 film “Loopers: The Caddie’s Long Walk,” and the Jason Bateman-narrated 2014 doc “The Lego Brickumentary.” Unfeatured said it is negotiating with estate and archive owners for footage, and also looking to partner with networks and streaming platforms. Clarke’s credits include working with brands such as Nike and Land O’Lakes, via stints at Grove Labs, Human Design, Escape the Zoo and more. “I have always been a fan of documentary filmmaking and as we enter a new, fast-changing moment for this space, what remains the same is our desire to make emotional connections to timeless subjects,” Clarke (above) said. “Unfeatured was formed to tell stories — rooted in memory, culture and forgotten icons — that have always mattered, but may not have been told in a way that feels fresh and relevant, especially to younger audiences.” Here’s a look at Unfeatured’s sizzle reel from March:
