Just Futures is a doc series that challenges conventional economic narratives, showcasing existing real-world solutions that are redefining prosperity, equity, and sustainability—proving that a better future isn’t just possible, it’s already unfolding.

PROJECT SUMMARY

What if everything we’ve been told about how the economy works is wrong?

Worker-owned cooperatives, cities prioritizing climate resilience, corporations centering social purpose over profit, an expanding understanding of the commons, and communities reclaiming power through participatory democracy—Just Futures brings these real-world solutions to the forefront, showing how people are already reshaping the economy for the better.
Rather than accepting rising inequality, social disenfranchisement, and environmental destruction as inevitable, JUST FUTURES explores how today’s challenges can become opportunities for transformation. Questioning conventional economic narratives that uphold endless growth and trickle-down benefits, we reveal how alternative models are not just possible - but already in use in western economies today.
Crucially, Just Futures examines the impact of emerging technologies and AI – and whether they will be put to use to further entrench inequality, or harnessed to build a fairer economy. By amplifying the voices of those on the forefront of change, the film challenges the notion that capitalism’s trajectory is fixed, offering a compelling vision of an economy rooted in fairness, sustainability, and shared prosperity.

PROJECT MISSION

For decades, we've been presented with a vision of endless growth and trickle-down promises – yet what has actually trickled down to the majority of the world? Rising inequality, environmental devastation, and a loss of agency over our own lives. Today, we find ourselves at a crucial inflection point, when the urgency to rethink these systems – and challenge the deeply ingrained narratives around our economy – has never been clearer.

JUST FUTURES builds on the filmmakers’ work with George Monbiot and the #1 bestselling book and critically acclaimed film "The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism".  By capturing the voices, stories, and places driving this change,  this project aims to ignite a conversation about what an economy that works for everyone could look like. The future of capitalism – and our collective economic future – is not pre-determined. A reimagining of our system is not only possible, but already happening. 

1. THE WAY WE THINK: CHALLENGING OUR FUNDAMENTAL ASSUMPTIONS

It’s been said that the narrative we hold about how the world works is determined by what we think as possible – and the only way to replace such a story, is with another story. Chapter One examines the myth of trickle-down economics – exploring our foundational assumptions about how the economy works and what “prosperity” is – while introducing the core concepts of “Middle-out” & “Doughnut” economics, Raine Eisler’s “caring economy”, and examining the relationship between economic growth and the environment. 

2. THE WAY WE ENTRUST: PURPOSE DRIVEN TRUSTS & EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP

Patagonia is perhaps the most notable example of purpose driven trusts – a way of organizing companies to fulfill a higher mission such as profit-sharing or protecting the environment.  But here we also look at new models of employee ownership currently being used by venture capital funds to promote more equitable wealth creation. Peter Stavros’ work at global investment company KKR, as well as the employee-owned Publix Super Markets, provide a promising example of what wealth-sharing can look like.

3. THE WAY WE SUSTAIN: CLIMATE BUDGETING & TRUE COST PRICING

Oslo’s Climate Budgeting sets yearly emission limits and holds city agencies accountable for staying within them. Remarkably, despite being one of the fastest-growing cities in Europe, the initiative has resulted in a significant decline in emissions – countering the assumption that growth & the environment are at fundamental odds. Meanwhile, in Amsterdam, a pricing system has been created that presents shoppers with the cost of externalities, and the choice to pay the “true price” for a product (the additional amount goes to remediate those harms). While this is counterintuitive to many, these businesses have seen an increase in customers and business.

4. THE WAY WE WORK: WORKER-OWNED CO-OPERATIVES & WEALTH SHARING

Chapter Four examines the ways that worker-owned co-operatives are fostering innovation, wealth sharing and job quality – offering an increasingly popular, democratized model that runs counter to the traditional corporate structure. This is exemplified by The Mondragon Corporation in Spain, where, for over a century, an industrial-sized worker-owned conglomerate provides a proven alternative future for capitalism

5. THE WAY WE EMPOWER: PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY

Participatory democracy is a system that emphasizes direct involvement of citizens in decision- making. As opposed to citizens showing up once an election cycle to cast a vote, it seeks to enhance a truer democratic engagement – allowing individuals to contribute to policy and budgeting decisions that affect their lives on an ongoing basis.  From Brazil to Chicago, from Brooklyn to Rekjavik, we’ll explore how this process has transformed communities – ensuring that public funds are spent on projects that reflect the actual needs and priorities of communities, while enhancing engagement, belonging and trust.

PETER HUTCHISON

(Director/Producer)
Hutchison is an award-winning filmmaker, bestselling author, educator and activist.
His film work includes “Requiem for the American Dream” (featuring Noam Chomsky), “The Cure for Hate: Bearing Witness to Auschwitz”, “Devil Put the Coal in the Ground”, “Healing from Hate”, and "The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism”.
His books include the bestsellers "The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism”, with George Monbiot (Penguin Books), and “Requiem for the American Dream: 10 Principles of Concentration of Wealth & Power”, with Noam Chomsky (Seven Stories Press).
He holds an M.S. in Counseling Psychology

PROJECT TEAM

LUCAS SABEAN

(Director/Producer)
Sabean is an editor, producer & filmmaker, whose output includes independent narrative & documentary features, commercial video, and a large body of experimental work.
His doc film work includes, “Devil Put the Coal in the Ground”, “The Man Card: White Male Identity Politics”, “Healing from Hate”, “Angry White Men & American Masculinity”, “You Throw Like a Girl: The Blindspot of Masculinity”, and "The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism”. 
Choreographer Paul Taylor has called his experimental films "superb - like poems made visible." 
He has an MFA from Boston University in Film Production.

ANDREW WANLISS-ORLEBAR

(Co-Producer)
Andrew is an accomplished sustainability leader – a multi-disciplinary systems thinker combining vision, strategy and a track record of delivering positive impact. Trusted, collaborative advisor to Fortune 500 C-suite across multiple sectors, he is an entrepreneurial change agent, devising and facilitating programs globally. Building and scaling partnerships to reimagine the impact of business, he works at the intersection of business model, product and culture, and is an advisor to social impact and low-carbon ventures.