New Archewell Productions-Netflix Deal Shines a Spotlight on Documentary and Short Film Projects

Archewell Productions, the creative force led by Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, has solidified its partnership with Netflix, extending a multi-year deal that promises a continued stream of diverse content. While the collaboration covers a range of genres, the announcement carries particularly exciting news for the documentary and short film community, reinforcing a commitment to impactful, non-fiction storytelling.

The most notable project for short film enthusiasts is the upcoming documentary short, “Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within.” This poignant film offers a glimpse into a Ugandan orphanage where children are using dance to overcome hardship and find hope in the lingering shadow of the HIV/AIDS crisis. The project, a collaboration with Campfire Studios and Wontanara Productions, promises to go “beyond the viral videos to reveal a vibrant, one-of-a-kind community.” The film is directed by David Vieira Lopez and Moses Bwayo and produced by a team that includes Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

This focus on documentary filmmaking builds on the massive success of their previous projects. The “Harry & Meghan” series, which gave viewers an intimate look into their lives, shattered records to become Netflix’s most-viewed documentary in its first four days and stands as the platform’s fifth most popular documentary series of all time.

While the extended partnership also includes a second season of the lifestyle series “With Love, Meghan,” a holiday special, and a feature film adaptation of the romance novel “Meet Me at the Lake,” it is the continued investment in documentary shorts like “Masaka Kids” that signals a significant win for the short film world. By leveraging their global platform, Archewell Productions and Netflix are bringing powerful, character-driven stories from underrepresented communities to a worldwide audience, highlighting the enduring impact of the short documentary format.