Vulcan Productions

Working together to ignite action

We're committed to solving the most difficult problems the world has ever faced

Vulcan Productions

We've forged partnerships with Vulcan’s premier research teams working in climate science, conservation, technology, and education allowing us exceptional access to prime resources. But it’s what we do with them that count. We discover what the issues are, explore them in-depth, and generate measurable impact.

Vulcan Inc: Philanthropy + Story + Technology

We’re striving to create a future that maps the intricacies inside our head, sets hidden talent alight and upends conventional thinking. The projects and investments we pursue are inspired by the ideas of our founder, the late Paul G. Allen. Discover the different facets of Vulcan.

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Stories + Action = Impact

We create great stories, but inspiring change with lasting impact is what sets us apart. Through our films, television programs, and engaging digital series we introduce audiences to the most critical issues of our time.

Founded by the late Paul G. Allen and Jody Allen, Vulcan Productions creates content across all platforms, and spotlights Mr. Allen's work in wildlife, science, climate, oceans, education, technology, current social issues, history and the arts

We shepherd ideas from development to production and campaigns that resonate long after the final frame leaves the screen.

The team’s award-winning and critically-acclaimed projects include Ghost Fleet, X-Ray Fashion, The Cold Blue, The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress – The Restoration, Ballet Now, Going to War, USS Indianapolis: Live from the Deep, STEP, The Ivory Game, Unseen Enemy, Racing Extinction, News & Documentary Emmy Nominee Naledi: A Baby Elephant's Tale, News & Documentary Emmy winner and Academy Award®-nominated Body Team 12, Mind of a Giant, We the Economy, We the Voters, Ocean Warriors, #ISurvivedEbola, and Girl Rising.

Our films entertain. They electrify. They transform audiences from passive viewers into active participants who engage on issues that affect us all.

Learn more about Vulcan's philanthropy

Great storytelling about the real issues of our time
Innovative, large-scale campaigns that turn action into impact
Meaningful engagement with audiences to drive change

Latest News

In the News

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson will direct “Black Woodstock,” a feature doc about the Harlem Cultural Festival

Variety

About Vulcan

In the News

Sacks has been featured in films before, but this is the first documentary about his entire life.

VICE

Oliver Sacks: His Own Life

In the News

"A tender and thrilling look" at the "poetic neurologist" and "the sacred demons that drove him."

Variety

Oliver Sacks: His Own Life

In the News

"A sharp tribute to a healer who almost failed to heal himself."

The Hollywood Reporter

Oliver Sacks: His Own Life

In the News

It's a rare look inside the mind of the world's most famous cognitive scientist...

Deadline

Oliver Sacks: His Own Life

In the News

Oliver Sacks is among the notable titles set for the the 57th New York Film Festival.

Deadline

Oliver Sacks: His Own Life

In the News

"There’s beauty, but there’s also trash. Lots of trash."

Adobe Create Magazine

Drop In The Ocean

In the News

"Vulcan Productions got involved because of Paul Allen's abiding interest in flying..."

Forbes

The Cold Blue

Meaningful Change

Massive Problems - Extraordinary Solutions

At Vulcan we’re committed to solving some of the most difficult problems the world has ever faced. These are complex issues beyond the ability of most of us to fully comprehend. Climate change, ocean health, animal extinction, human equality - massive problems that demand extraordinary solutions.

Beyond the screen, Vulcan is working to tackle our planet's hard problems by exploring innovative ideas and implementing creative solutions. Driven by the late Paul Allen's desire to make a measurable impact, Vulcan’s philanthropic efforts are tethered to a simple principle: if it has the potential to do good, then we should do it.

Explore the five core problems that Vulcan is engaged in solving, and dig into our film genres that make them accessible and understandable. Together we expose the problems with unsurpassed storytelling and find real-world solutions that everyone can be a part of.

Wildlife

Through a science-led, data-driven approach, Vulcan provides knowledge about our planet's most imperiled and iconic species. Vulcan jump-starts initiatives to alleviate threats and help secure adequate and healthy habitats. They also use technological developments and storytelling capabilities to drive philanthropic interests, address the current threat of wildlife trafficking, and collect data that will inform long-term strategies to protect endangered species. The Vulcan Productions feature-documentary Racing Extinction supports these efforts with never-before-seen images that transform the way viewers see the planet, and a significant public campaign that gives movie-goers the necessary tools to protect endangered wildlife.

Conservation

Vulcan supports smart solutions for the management, conservation and protection of terrestrial and marine life and their ecosystems. How? Through a variety of measures that include the collection of foundational data; investigative tools; the monitoring of ecosystems; and the sponsoring of voter’s initiatives like Save Animals Facing Extinction (I-1401). Vulcan Productions’ feature documentary Racing Extinction and its global campaign exposes the hidden world of extinction with never-before-seen images that will not just change the way viewers see the planet—it will inspire them to take action to protect it.

Ocean Health

Ocean health is essential to the health of both human communities and wildlife populations. Our oceans are under threat from climate change as well as a range of unsustainable practices that could lead to the collapse of ecosystems and loss of marine species in the very near future. Vulcan is working to improve scientific understanding of ocean health across a wide range of issues. Through films such as Racing Extinction and its social action campaign, Vulcan Productions introduces audiences to the effects of climate change, the harsh reality of illegal poaching, and their combined effects on oceans and key marine species.

Climate Change

Our climate is on an unsustainable path—Vulcan is acting now to change its dangerous trajectory. The projects and programs that Vulcan supports seek to better understand, adapt to, and most importantly, reduce society’s impact on the climate. The researchers and organizations that we work with are focused on providing solutions, tools, policies and incentives to enable people, species and ecosystems to continue to thrive on a verdant and habitable planet. Through films such as Racing Extinction, Strange Days on Planet Earth and Pandora’s Promise, Vulcan Productions uses storytelling and outreach initiatives to help audiences understand the effects of climate change, spark a dialogue about the solutions, and bring about lasting change.

Ebola Program

Vulcan’s Ebola Program is the only one of its kind solely focused on stopping the West Africa Ebola outbreak. Paul G. Allen is the largest private donor, committing at least $100 million to support innovative and impactful solutions. His pledge has funded a diverse set of projects in areas where donations drive truly effective results. Since July 2014, Vulcan teams have been working with government agencies and aid organizations to address the most urgent needs in the fight against Ebola. Want to see progress in action? Watch Vulcan Production’s critically acclaimed film Body Team Twelve and explore the global campaign #ISurvivedEbola.

Storytelling solutions

Wildlife & Conservation

We tell the stories that provide solutions and incentives that enable people, species and ecosystems to thrive on a verdant and habitable planet.

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Global Health

Whether we’re documenting the courageous efforts to fight Ebola or the prevention of pandemics, we act on the premise that were in it together.

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Science & Technology

From exploring the human brain, to clean energy solutions, to outer space - our stories document tech and science as tools for global change.

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Current Issues

From climate change, to economic downturns, to female empowerment, look for the most pressing issues on the planet, and we'll be there.

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History & Exploration

We seek out stories that play out at the bottom of the deep blue sea, at the fringes of outer space and even in the recesses of the human mind.

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Arts & Entertainment

Sometimes it's just about joy and wonder. These stories allow our experiences to foster empathy and ultimately broaden our sense of humanity.

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Impact First

Measuring Success

Vulcan is tackling our planet's most urgent, most difficult challenges. We will break through with innovative ideas, creative solutions – and measuring all we do. We don't just tell stories that expose valuable truths and activate audiences, we also learn from each project with advanced evaluation programs. Our strategies optimize in real time, and help inform the makeup of future projects.

Partners

Vulcan Productions partners with the most resourceful and innovative groups. From the top NGOs to documentary filmmakers to government agencies, our partners create impact.