LOS ANGELES, CA – YouTube Originals today announced that executive producers Ridley Scott (“The Martian,” “Gladiator”) and Kai Hsuing (“Lords of Chaos”), along with director Kevin Macdonald (“Whitney,” “One Day in September,” “The Last King of Scotland”), will create the new feature film, “Life In A Day 2020,” ten years after the original “Life In A Day.” On Saturday, July 25, 2020, millions of people around the world are encouraged to film their lives and tell the story of a single day on Earth. “Life In A Day 2020” will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and on YouTube in 2021.
“Following the success of the 2010 documentary, this is an important moment to revisit this inventive film concept with Ridley and Kevin,” said Susanne Daniels, Global Head of Original Content for YouTube. The film’s three principal editors – Mdhamiri Á Nkemi (Blue Story, The Last Tree), Sam Rice-Edwards (Whitney), and Nse Asuquo (The Stuart Hall Project, The Jazz Ambassadors) – will then undertake an enormous post-production effort, working alongside director Kevin Macdonald to shape the film’s final narrative out of submitted footage.
The original “Life In A Day” film was filmed in July 2010 to mark YouTube’s 5th birthday and brought the YouTube community together for what was one of the biggest participatory feature film projects ever made.
“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with YouTube again, a decade after Life In A Day premiered and captivated audiences at our festival,” said Tabitha Jackson, Director of the Sundance Film Festival. “Given the extraordinary current moment, I think it’s the perfect time to premiere this for a new edition of a work that so powerfully demonstrates the power of cinematic storytelling to reveal and celebrate our shared humanity.”
“Life In A Day 2020” is directed by Kevin Macdonald with Ridley Scott and Kai Hsiung serving as executive producers, and Jack Arbuthnott and Tim Partridge as producers.
This announcement comes on the heels of several recent YouTube Originals projects including “Bear Witness, Take Action” a conversation aimed to unite and inspire the platform’s global community to take action for racial justice hosted by Common and Keke Palmer featuring 50 YouTube creators, public figures and activists.
“Dear Class of 2020,” a tribute to this year’s graduating class and centered around the timely themes of hope, resilience, and camaraderie, featuring an inspirational send off from President and Mrs. Obama, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Lady Gaga, BTS, Liza Koshy and many more. Upcoming YouTube Originals include season three of “Liza on Demand” starring Liza Koshy, “This is Paris,” a documentary uncovering the hidden past of international icon Paris Hilton, and a special live event with death-defying magician David Blaine.
About YouTube Originals:
YouTube Originals are award-winning, creative, and engaging scripted and unscripted series and films across music, personalities, and learning for fans all over the world. Spotlighting both YouTube creators alongside Hollywood’s biggest stars, YouTube Originals provide an experience that only YouTube can offer. By tapping into the platform’s growing global community, fan engagement product capabilities, and innovative content mixed with pioneering live-streamed specials, there is truly something for everybody. Fans experience YouTube Original content through ad-supported YouTube as well as YouTube Premium, a subscription service that offers access to a streaming music platform, and an uninterrupted, ad-free experience across all of YouTube, including YouTube Original series and movies. YouTube Originals are available in nearly 80 countries worldwide.
