ZED

ONCE UPON A TIME: THE SCIENCE OF STORIES

From cave paintings to Hollywood blockbusters and mythology, people have always told each other stories. But where does this passion come from? With international experts, we explore the little-known powers of storytelling, an art form that could be the very key to our humanity.

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new releases

History Investigation & Politics

History Investigation & Politics

CIA: Inside the Aftermath of 9/11 3x45'

After the shocking attacks on 9/11 the CIA was radically reshaped to eliminate future terrorism - regardless of the cost.

ONCE UPON A TIME: THE SCIENCE OF STORIES 60'

From cave paintings to Hollywood blockbusters and mythology, people have always told each other stories. But where does this passion come from? With international experts, we explore the little-known powers of storytelling, an art form that could be the very key to our humanity.

Art & Culture History

Art & Culture History

ELISABETTA SIRANI: QUEEN OF THE BAROQUE 52'

In 17th-century Bologna, Elisabetta Sirani became a star of Baroque painting and blazed a trail for an entire generation of women artists.

Investigation & Politics

Investigation & Politics

THE BIBLE FORGERS 52' 4K

Early 2000s. The extraordinary discovery of original biblical fragments sets the global art market into a frenzy. But their authenticity is soon to be challenged… A captivating investigation alongside international experts to shed light on the dark side of the Bible.

History Megastructure

History Megastructure

SECRET TRACES OF EGYPT 6x45'

Drawing on iconic archaeological sites, the latest academic research, 2D and 3D animations, breathtaking footage, and expert insights, this film is a 3,000-year journey into the heart of pharaonic architecture.

Art & Culture History

Art & Culture History

JAN VAN EYCK: PORTRAIT OF A MAN 52'

How did 15th-century Flemish painter Jan van Eyck revolutionize the art of portraiture by imbuing the human face with a previously unknown intensity and realism?

THE PHARAOHS’ GOLD 4x45'

Where did the wealth of the richest pharaohs in history come from?

WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR: THE GREAT LANDING 52' 4K

Relive the greatest landing in medieval history that forever changed Europe's destiny.

MAO, WHEN CHINA SEES RED 52' 2x52'

Fifty years after the death of Mao Zedong, this documentary chronicles his rise and rule, while questioning his legacy in a contemporary China currently rivaling the United States as a global superpower.

History Science

History Science

THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE: SECRETS OF A FALLEN CIVILIZATION 90' 52' 4K

An unprecedented archaeological investigation to unlock the mysteries of one of the most powerful empires of the ancient world.

BEAVERS: HEALERS OF RIVERS 52' 4K

When a pair of beavers settles on an experimental farm in the mountains of the Drôme (southern France), their presence reveals the extraordinary power of these natural engineers to restore biodiversity.

KNUT, THE VIKING EMPEROR 4x52'

The fabulous epic of a power-hungry Viking king.

MARSEILLE: MASTERING WATER 2x50'

Behind Marseille’s water system lies a history of extraordinary engineering feats – true masterpieces of engineering and innovation.

MARTIAL RAYSSE: A REBEL ARTIST 52'

A pioneer of pop art and a lifelong rebel, Martial Raysse, 90, is one of the most highly valued living French painters in the world. This documentary opens the doors to his studio, offering a rare insight into the life and work of an artist in constant reinvention.

MARMOTS: WAR OF CLANS 52' 4K

Who would suspect that the cuddly Alpine marmot is, in truth, a fierce warrior? A journey deep into the heart of the Alps, where generations of marmots have waged a relentless and merciless clan war!

Investigation & Politics

Investigation & Politics

HOMS, SYRIA: LIFE AFTER 55'

After 12 years of exile, Syrian filmmaker Daham Alasaad returns to Homs, devastated by the war.

PAUL BOCUSE: CHEF OF THE CENTURY 45'

After his passing in 2018, legendary French chef Paul Bocuse left behind a remarkable gastronomic empire that his family and collaborators are keeping alive today.

FRENCH HIGHWAYS: EPIC ENGINEERING 52'

750 kilometers of highway, 80 million vehicles a year. Take a deep dive into the construction secrets of the A6/A7 highways – France’s mythical “Motorway of the Sun” – and explore the challenges underway to reinvent them.

MEMORIES OF THE 20TH CENTURY 4x52'

Exclusively based on personal footage captured by a handful of Normans, this documentary collections traces the intimate and collective history of France throughout the 20th century.

History Megastructure

History Megastructure

BESIEGED FORTRESSES, LEGENDARY BATTLES - SEASON 3 4x52' 4K

The season 3 of this gripping series explores how fortresses redefined the art of warfare, thanks to AI generated scenes and with key experts.

Human Stories Nature

Human Stories Nature

SAMADHI – WE ARE ONE 100’ 2x52’ 8x15’

Seven touching, true stories from around the world that shows authentic love and friendship between humans and animals.

ON THE HIPPIE TRAIL 52'

During the 1960s and 1970s, thousands of young Westerners set off for Kathmandu, chasing discovery and dreams of utopia. Based on exceptional archives from the era, the film revisits the “Hippie Trail” that shaped a generation and left its mark on our history and collective imagination.

POST WWII: RISING FROM THE RUINS 52'

Between 1945 and 1960, dozens of amateur filmmakers filmed their daily lives in Normandy. Drawing on this exceptional footage, this documentary tells the story of a generation determined to rise again from the ruins of World War 2.

XENOGRAFTS: THE FUTURE OF SCIENCE? 52' 4K

Faced with a lack of donors, science is now considering transplanting an animal organ into a human, a prowess already achieved in 2023 in the US, where a man received a heart from a genetically modified pig.

THE 1960s: BETWEEN HOPE AND TENSION 52'

Between 1960 and 1970, dozens of Normans captured their everyday lives on film, leaving behind an exceptional trove of intimate footage that bears witness to a revolutionary decade.

History Megastructure

History Megastructure

BABYLON: THE TOWER TO THE HEAVENS 52' 60' 4K

Uncover the architectural feat behind the mythical Tower of Babel.

THE TRUE STORY OF PRIVATE RYAN 52' 70'

The real and untold story behind Spielberg’s classic.

FÉLIX VALLOTTON: COLOURS OF DESIRE 52'

A century after his death, Félix Vallotton’s art has lost none of its power and modernity. Through the female figure that haunts his paintings, the documentary seeks to unravel the secrets of an enigmatic artist.

Destination Moon: The new Space Age 2x50' 4K

It has been 50 years since humanity has stepped on the moon. Today, we are preparing to go back... But this time, to stay!

AFTER WWII: THE FORGOTTEN SURVIVORS OF THE HOLOCAUST 2x47' 94'

Between ruins and rebirth, Holocaust survivors turned exile into the fragile beginning of a new life.

THE SANABRA FAMILY: SADDLE UP! 45'

Meet the Sanabra family whose members all share the same passion for equestrian vaulting and trick riding.

THE SCIENCE OF FRIENDSHIP 52'

It shapes our identity, boosts our well-being, and could even extend our lifespan! Alongside neuroscientists and psychologists, let’s explore the extraordinary powers of friendship.

Mission to the Moon - The Artemis VR EXPERIENCE 29'

After humanity’s return to the Moon with the recent space programs, astronaut Lucy Bauer invites you to relive this historic mission by her side. 'Mission to the Moon' is a collective VR experience for a group of ten simultaneous participants.

MOONRISE - FULLDOME FILM 26' 4K 6K 8K

An uncommon immersive experience with unique 360° views of the different phases of an astronaut's training.

in production

NAZI GERMANY: THE FALL OF A DEMOCRACY 3x45'

How exactly did Adolf Hitler rise to power? Tracing back the history of Nazism in Germany between 1918 and 1940, this documentary series reveals how a democracy collapsed from within, handing out the keys of power to its own enemies.

BACTERIA: A JOURNEY INTO THE INVISIBLE 90' 52'

A captivating journey into an invisible world of unsuspected powers – the new frontier of scientific discovery.

History Science

History Science

EGYPT’S ATLANTIS: TREASURES OF A SUNKEN CITY 90' 2x45'

An archaeological and scientific epic to unravel the fascinating mysteries of ancient Egypt's sunken city: Thonis-Heracleion.

HEROINES OF NORMANDY 2x52'

The unknown story of six long-overlooked heroines who, through their boldness, intelligence, and influence, shaped the destiny of Normandy.

Terra Futura 2x45' 90' 4K

"Terra Futura" takes viewers on a breathtaking journey billions of years forward, far beyond the lifespan of humanity, to witness a remarkable story - of Life.

Investigation & Politics

Investigation & Politics

FERTILITY INC. 2x45' 90'

The fertility crisis has spawned a new global market – and its players will stop at nothing. This film is an international investigation to shed light on a bewilderingly complex system known as reproductive extractivism: when capitalism exploits the ultimate resource – life itself.

SPARTACUS: THE MAN WHO SHOOK ROME 2x52' 4K

In the 1st century BC, Spartacus, a fearsome gladiator, led a formidable slave revolt that challenged Rome and made him one of the greatest warlords of Antiquity.

CSI: THE BIRTH OF FORENSIC SCIENCE 90' 52' 4K

In the late 19th century, a handful of pioneers across Europe and beyond revolutionized criminal investigation through groundbreaking new methods – and laid the foundations of modern forensic science.

ENIGMA: DECODING THE THIRD REICH 2x52' 90'

The unknown story of the pan-European coalition, that cracked the impenetrable Nazi code system.

INSIDE OCEANS 4x52'

Thanks to scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge technology, we embark on a thrilling expedition alongside international experts to uncover the extreme phenomena unfolding beneath our seas and oceans.

PARIS, THE VIKING SIEGE 52' 70'

841: A fleet of longships enters the mouth of the Seine. For the first time, Vikings venture into the heart of the Frankish kingdom, it's the beginning of a century-long invasion.

YIDDISHLAND: THE LAST GENERATION 2x52' 90'

Hundreds of autobiographies written in Yiddish by young people in the 1930s – and rediscovered decades later – shed rare light on the life of Jewish communities in Europe before the Holocaust.

History Megastructure

History Megastructure

MONUMENTS, THE LATEST SECRETS 3x52'

Alongside international experts, and thanks to exclusive access, this series sheds light on three architectural masterpieces – each the product of an extraordinary human and technical endeavor.

History Investigation & Politics

History Investigation & Politics

EUROPE AWAKENS 3x45' 2x52'

It believed it had banished war from its horizon but Europe must, once again, think of itself as a power.

KAMIKAZE, THE STORY 2x45'

Who were the kamikaze, those Japanese pilots ready to sacrifice their lives for their country? For the first time, the story of these forgotten men of the Pacific reveals an overlooked aspect of the Second World War.

History Investigation & Politics

History Investigation & Politics

THE WALKMAN WAR 52' 70'

Behind the iconic Walkman lies the hidden story of a decades-long legal battle between Sony and Andreas Pavel, the forgotten inventor of the first portable music player.

ON THE WINGS OF THE HARPY EAGLE 52' 4K

Alongside zoologists Christine Morrier and Ruth Muñiz, we venture into the heart of the Amazon rainforest to encounter a majestic and mysterious bird of prey – living symbol of a threatened ecosystem.

HYCE – HOW YOU CAME TO EARTH 52'

Alongside leading international experts, we’re off on a captivating journey deep into the cosmos to uncover the origins of the atoms that make up our brain and bodies.

History Science

History Science

ANCIENT BLING 52' 90' 4K

The major discovery of the world's oldest piece of jewelry raises questions about our origins.

COSMIC REVOLUTION 3x52' 4K

A global quest to uncover the secrets of light and darkness is poised to change everything we thought we knew about the universe.

Science Travel & Adventure

Science Travel & Adventure

SUPER SEEDS 4x43' 4x52' 4K

Rice, wheat, beans and peanuts. Four critical seeds that have become the pillars of our global diet. How did they shape our civilizations and landscapes? And how will they adapt to climate change to keep feeding us tomorrow?

EXO-ISTENCE: A COSMIC SEARCH 5x52’ 4K

A journey through life and intelligence, how they emerged on Earth and the chances of their existence beyond our planet.

THE PURSUIT OF THE GREAT PYRAMID’S TREASURE 52'

Could the funerary treasure of Khufu still be in his pyramid?

ATOMIC LOVE: THE JOLIOT-CURIE STORY 6x26' 3x52'

The story of a genius couple who secretly created the French atomic bomb.

Chasing Natural Hydrogen 52' 4K

With recent discoveries of natural hydrogen deposits all over the world, the burning question is: can hydrogen be THE solution for the energy transition?

Human Stories Nature

Human Stories Nature

RAONI, AMAZONIAN WARRIOR 52' 70' 4K

A visually striking odyssey following Raoni Metuktire, the last great Kayapo chief, on what may be his final journey - and his ultimate call to protect the living world.

Selections

“MASHATU, LAND OF LEOPARDS” AWARDED AT THE GREEN SCREEN FESTIVAL

The wildlife documentary received the Heinz Sielmann Film Award (Jury Prize) at the 2026 Green Screen Festival – one of the most popular festivals for nature docs in Europe. Directed by Julien Naar and produced by ZED, the film tells the gripping story of a mother leopard and her two cubs in the wilds of Botswana.

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MISSION TO THE MOON: THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE HAS LANDED AT THE CITÉ DES SCIENCES

Mission to the Moon propels audiences into 2030, at the heart of a spectacular and poetic lunar expedition alongside astronaut and Artemis mission commander Lucy Bauer. A collective, free-roaming experience recommended by XRMust, now open to the public at the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie – until January 3, 2027.

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LUCAS MEURIN JOINS ZED AS NEW SALES MANAGER

In July 2026, ZED hires Lucas Meurin (former BBC Studios manager) as new sales manager for France and sub-Saharan Africa. ZED’s Distribution team is evidence of the company’s ongoing presence on French and international marketplace.

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“2005: STATE OF EMERGENCY” REWARDED BY LA SCAM

The documentary series 2005: State of Emergency by Marie-Pierre Jaury and Gwenael Bourdon (prod. ZED & France Télévisions) is among the 30 winners of the 2026 Stars of LaScam (the civil society of multimedia authors). A series that explores the social rift in France that followed the tragical death of Zyed and Bouna, through the testimonies of relatives and politicians involved.

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