‘Protest And Progress’: Misan Harriman’s Social Change Doc For Paramount+ Begins Filming

EXCLUSIVE: Filming has begun on Paramount+‘s long-gestating Misan Harriman social change feature doc Protest and Progress.

The film, which was announced back in 2021, explores the influence and significance of protest movements in shaping social change, with photographer and social activist Harriman, who was Oscar-nominated for his short film The After, fronting it.

Protest and Progress will follow Harriman as he travels around the world documenting the resilience and determination of grassroots activists fighting for movements including equality, gender justice, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental sustainability and more. It will include interviews with activists and photographers on the front lines of protests, and will offer insight into Harriman’s personal evolution as an activist,

The film comes from UK indie Doc Hearts in association with Paramount Television International Studios. The doc will debut exclusively on Paramount+ globally in early 2025. It was initially unveiled as a three-part doc series — the first commission from Georgia Arnold’s VIS Social Impact division.

“We are living in a time of great change and challenge,” said Harriman. “Amidst this, I want my art and advocacy to build bridges and bring people together. I want to explore how we can hold ourselves accountable for our fallible nature – have we made progress through protest? I’m embarking on this journey with an amazing team to explore these vital questions, in a year where the stakes have never been higher.”

Doc Hearts founder Andy Mundy-Castle is director and executive producer alongside Joanna Natasegara and Harriman. Aletha Shepherd, Adam Gee and Wyn Baptiste is from Doc Hearts is producing, and has been commissioned for Paramount+ by Adrian Padmore, VP Commissioning Editor, Paramount UK. 

Last year, we revealed that Paramount had set a new structure for its social impacts team following the exit of VIS Social Impact boss and MTV Staying Alive Foundation co-founder Arnold. Crystal Barnes, Janice Gatti and Brad Archer-Haynes all received promotions in the rejig.