wl:docs was born from White Lantern Film in 2005, originally branded as White Lantern Media, the company was re-branded to wl:docs in 2008 to develop a growing slate of documentaries.

The name 'White Lantern’ was inspired by an invention first used in 2nd century China to project an image onto a screen. The Magic Lantern is the ancestor of the modern slide projector and its invention lead to a new era of entertainment - the Magic Lantern Show. By the nineteenth century these shows included music, audience participation, and the spoken word, arguably the forefather to the modern day cinema and an excellent inheritance for a company name. The colour white was selected for its positive, peaceful conitations which have no boundaries and represent the work the company creates.

In 2005 the company separated its work into three divisions: White Lantern Film to focus on drama, films and education; White Lantern Media to focus on documentary and factual programmes; and White Lantern Productions to focus on business video. All division embrace our educational media programme offering a range of projects, work-placements, lifelong and active learning experiences.

In 2008 White Lantern Media became wl:docs.

We are inspired by creative ideas which push boundaries.

We like to develop and produce contemporary films exploring unrepresented narratives for the UK and worldwide markets: inspiring and broadening horizons. We are particularly keen to challenge the genres firmly established in the UK media industry.

Our work should enlighten, entertain and be a legacy for future generations. We like to explore themes and create work which reflects modern life, whilst celebrating and remembering our past.

Hence our motto: "watch something different"