Real Stories Videos

In the face of a century of traditional polling to predict public opinion, there is a shakeup afoot in the prediction game. Margin of Error: AI, Polling and Elections examines how a startup called Advanced Symbolics (ASI) uses artificial intelligence (AI) and public social-media data to forecast voter behaviour. But the promise of new technology also comes with questions about its accuracy, the threat to citizens’ privacy and our democracy itself. Every one of us volunteers a huge amount of private data with virtually every Internet service we use, without reading or understanding the terms of service. This data can now be harvested by AI to accurately predict among many other things, how we will vote. Even without surrendering personal information, the new AI algorithm Polly, developed by ASI, combs social media to build profiles of different demographics and determines their preferences.This method has already led to Polly’s success in predicting both the 2016 Trump victory and Brexit. With the 2019 Canadian federal election campaign as a real time back drop, Margin of Error puts Polly to the test revealing how an AI doesn’t just give a detailed picture of the publics voting intentions, but also how specific events can alter them. But will knowing what our hopes and concerns are, give politicians the intel they need to respond to our needs, and lead to a “utopian” society, as ASI’s CEO Erin Kelly claims, or can this data be misused to mislead us – either by our own governments, or those of our adversaries? And should politicians even be responding to our desires, as expressed through social media? Instagram - @realstoriesdocs Any queries, please contact us at: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com

Award-winning director Nick Broomfield finds the school friends, family and Republican colleagues that in previous days gave their heart, soul and belief to the charismatic, charming, intoxicating `hockey mom'. Some are frightened to talk in the community of Wasilla, a devout evangelical community, with 76 churches serving a population of only 6,000, and is the crystal meth capital of Alaska. This film looks at Palin’s personal and political life, examining how she balanced her deep-rooted values with the challenges of running a national campaign. We meet the people closest to her, including her family and long-time supporters, to get an inside look at the woman behind the headlines. Along the way, we see her fierce competitiveness, her struggles with the media, and the controversies that followed her after the election. From being hailed as a breath of fresh air to facing intense scrutiny, Sarah Palin’s political journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Instagram - @realstoriesdocs Any queries, please contact us at: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com

The life of Tom Green, a man living with six wives and 29 children in the remote deserts of Utah. As a fundamentalist Mormon, Tom practices polygamy despite the fact that it's illegal. His belief that a larger family brings spiritual elevation has led him to marry young women, some as young as 14, with the permission of their parents. Throughout the video, we hear from his wives, who share their experiences of love, family, and faith, as well as the complex dynamics that come with being part of such a large, unconventional family. The documentary also reveals the challenges the Green family faces, from living in isolation to the legal battles looming over Tom. Their way of life, built on deep religious convictions, is difficult for many to understand, especially when considering the involvement of minors. Yet, within their world, his wives speak about their choices with conviction, portraying a family bond that is both unique and controversial. As the threat of legal prosecution becomes more real, Tom reflects on his situation, knowing that his lifestyle may soon lead to severe consequences. Instagram - @realstoriesdocs Any queries, please contact us at: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com

An inside look at institutions from a prison to the military as Reggie Yates experiences the conditions of living under intense pressure, threat and restriction. 00:00:00 In a Texan Jail Reggie spends a week in Bexar County Jail, eating, sleeping and working alongside the inmates. 00:49:29 In the Mexican Drug War Reggie visits Acapulco to live the life of a soldier fighting on the front line of the brutal war against Mexico's powerful drug cartels. 01:38:58 In a Toxic Waste Dump Reggie heads to Ghana to live on one of the largest electronic waste dumps in the world, Accra's Agbogbloshie. Working with a group of burner boys, Reggie discovers what life is like for people who eke out a living on the site. US Jail Guard Reggie heads back to jail, only this time, he'll be working as a guard. Working inside Guildford County Jail in North Carolina, Reggie will help guard nearly 1,000 prisoners, whose crimes range from minor misdemeanours to murder. Instagram - @realstoriesdocs Any queries, please contact us at: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com

At just 14 years old, Justin was imprisoned in a maximum-security juvenile facility, a place meant for the most violent young offenders. But Justin wasn’t like the others. With an IQ of 40 and a background of severe neglect and abuse, he found himself locked away in a system that didn't know how to care for him. This documentary follows Justin's heart-wrenching journey through the juvenile justice system, where he was abandoned by family, misunderstood by society, and left to navigate an adult world that wasn't built for him. For years, Justin struggled behind bars, facing daily challenges that no child should ever endure. Despite his disabilities and traumatic past, he found support from a few caring individuals who saw him not as a criminal, but as a boy in desperate need of love and guidance. This is the story of how those people changed his life, helping him find a way out of the system and into a better future. Instagram - @realstoriesdocs Any queries, please contact us at: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com

Shagun Ferguson, a 24-year-old young man whose life was tragically cut short in Toronto’s wave of youth violence. Shagun’s final moments were captured in a heartbreaking voicemail, pleading for his life just before he was shot. His mother, Julia, has since turned her pain into a relentless mission to seek justice for her son and raise awareness of the ongoing crisis affecting Black youth in the city. Over the past few years, more than 125 young Black men have been murdered in Toronto, with most of these cases remaining unsolved. This documentary takes an honest look at how gun violence, gang activity, and systemic poverty continue to devastate families and communities, while highlighting the struggle of mothers like Julia who refuse to let their children’s deaths be forgotten. Instagram - @realstoriesdocs Any queries, please contact us at: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com

From his early days as a KGB officer to his rise as a dominant figure in global politics, we unravel how power can corrupt and reshape leaders into figures of fear and authority. The story examines the mechanisms that dictators like Putin use to maintain their grip on power, including the suppression of media, manipulation of public perception, and the cultivation of an environment of fear. Through a historical lens, we look at the parallels between Putin's regime and other authoritarian leaders throughout history, shedding light on the common traits that define their rule. The documentary highlights the impact of these leadership styles on the everyday lives of citizens, raising important questions about freedom, security, and national identity. As we analyze Russia's transition from a struggling post-Soviet state to a formidable authoritarian regime, we also consider the implications for global stability and democracy. What does Putin's quest for power mean for the world? Join us as we unpack this complex narrative, drawing connections between past events and the present-day landscape of international relations. This is a story about the consequences of power, the fragility of freedom, and the relentless pursuit of control that shapes our world today. Instagram - @realstoriesdocs Any queries, please contact us at: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com

The journey of migrants as they attempt to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, facing unimaginable hardships and life-threatening obstacles along the way. These are real stories of people risking everything—fleeing violence, poverty, and political instability in search of a better life. From dangerous desert crossings to confronting human smugglers, their experiences shed light on the harsh realities of migration. We meet individuals and families, each with their own reasons for leaving behind everything they know. Along their journey, they navigate not only the physical challenges of the border but also the emotional and psychological toll of uncertainty and fear. This documentary takes a closer look at the struggles migrants face, the risks they take, and the hope that keeps them moving forward despite all odds. Instagram - @realstoriesdocs Any queries, please contact us at: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com

Once known primarily for its oil wealth, strict Islamic traditions, and closed-off society, Saudi Arabia is now undergoing a major transformation under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This video goes beyond the headlines to show what life is really like inside the Kingdom as it opens up to tourism, grants more rights to women, and looks for ways to move beyond its dependence on oil. Through the stories of everyday citizens, we reveal the challenges and opportunities that come with these reforms. From the struggles of women fighting for more freedoms to the cultural shifts seen in public spaces, the documentary shows how Saudi Arabia is walking a fine line between its conservative past and a more modern future. You’ll hear about the growing influence of young people in shaping the country’s direction, the rise of entrepreneurship, and how traditions are being reinterpreted to fit this new era. But it’s not all positive change. The documentary also sheds light on the limits of these reforms, the continued presence of strict religious and social controls, and the consequences for those who step out of line. As Saudi Arabia projects a new image to the world, questions remain about how far these changes will really go, and whether they will last. For those curious about the real Saudi Arabia beyond the headlines, this video offers a rare look at the crossroads the country finds itself in today. Instagram - @realstoriesdocs Any queries, please contact us at: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com

THE TINDERBOX: understanding Israel/Palestine We will never find peace unless we address the basic problem. A rare and thought-provoking examination of both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, from its catalyst to why it still rages, to what needs to happen for it to stop. The Tinderbox combines ancient and more recent history, geopolitical problems (racism, inequality, immigration and fake truths), and psychology, with the deeply personal journey of one person forced to challenge everything they’d been taught about the conflict in Israel and Palestine. The film also shows the human face of this conflict by hearing from a wide variety of contemporary voices, ranging from a Settler to a political member of Hamas. Today, while this conflict still rages, an American Middle East Peace Plan is in the works, and anti-Semitism and Islamophobia remain as globally controversial as ever, this film will provide context, show how history continues to play out in the daily lives of people on either side of the divide, and will empower audiences to make up their own minds. From The Tinderbox Any queries, please contact us at: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com

The emotional and complex realities of the child welfare system, focusing on the difficult decisions that families, judges, and social workers face every day. It follows the heartbreaking stories of children and teenagers who are caught in the system due to neglect, abuse, or circumstances beyond their control. Many of these children, like 15-year-old Melissa, are navigating the challenges of teen motherhood while still being children themselves. The documentary highlights how drug addiction, mental health issues, and unstable family situations often lead to difficult court cases, where the future of both children and parents hangs in the balance. Judges are forced to make life-altering decisions that will impact these families forever, weighing what's best for the children while considering the struggles their parents face. The video sheds light on the foster care system, where foster parents and caseworkers step in to provide care for children with special needs, hoping to give them a better chance at life. With a focus on teen pregnancy, parental rights, and the long-term effects of generational trauma, this documentary offers a raw and realistic look at the social issues affecting families across the country. It also raises important questions about how society can better support these vulnerable children and their families, and how we can break the cycle of neglect and abuse for future generations. If you're interested in the challenges of the foster care system, juvenile courts, or the impact of poverty and addiction on children, this documentary will offer insight into the struggles and hopes of families trying to rebuild their lives. Instagram - @realstoriesdocs Content licensed from Calamari Productions. Any queries, please contact us at: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com

In The UnAmerican Struggle, we explore the rising tensions in America surrounding racism, bigotry, and civil rights, focusing on the impact these issues have on diverse communities. Set against the backdrop of Donald Trump's presidency, the film highlights how his rhetoric and policies fueled a resurgence of white nationalism, emboldening those who harbor views of racism, sexism, and xenophobia. From the experiences of Latinos and Muslims to the broader struggles of people of color, women, and the LGBTQ community, this documentary paints a vivid picture of how vulnerable groups have been targeted and marginalized in recent years. It examines how hate speech, discrimination, and a deeply divided nation have made the American dream feel out of reach for many. Twitter: https://twitter.com/realstoriesdocs Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RealStoriesChannel Instagram - @realstoriesdocs Content licensed from Cineverse. Any queries, please contact us at: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com