On October 1, 2023, media lab Null Station released Bengal in 1869, a short film that, to our knowledge, is the first AI generated documentary. Every frame, voice, and note of music was created using AI from scripting with ChatGPT-3.5 to visuals from Pika Labs and Runway Gen-2, and voiceover narration with ElevenLabs.
No cameras. No actors. Just code, creativity, and a lot of curiosity.
This Isn’t Just an Experiment It’s a Prototype for the Future of Filmmaking
Directed by Ratul Biswas and RTB Ruhan, Bengal in 1869 reimagines fictional moments from the Bay of Bengal during the 19th century. It’s the debut installment in Lens, Null Station’s new experimental storytelling series designed to explore what happens when AI tools handle the entire creative pipeline.
At just four minutes long, the film isn’t trying to compete with traditional docs. Instead, it opens up a bigger question: What’s possible when anyone with an idea and a prompt can produce a narrative visual experience from scratch?
Built Entirely with AI Tools
| Element | Tool Used | Function |
| Script | ChatGPT-3.5 | Wrote the narrative |
| Visuals | Pika Labs, Runway Gen-2 | Created animated historical scenes |
| Music | BeatOven | Composed ambient score |
| Voiceover | ElevenLabs | AI-generated narration voice |
| Production & Launch | Null Station on Null Plus | Published on YouTube |
These tools didn’t just assist, they powered the entire process. No post-hoc editing, no traditional shoots. Everything began and ended with prompt-driven storytelling.
Why It Matters?
This approach isn’t about replacing filmmakers it’s about expanding access. AI-generated documentaries like Bengal in 1869 offer:
- New creative workflows for indie creators and small studios
- Faster ways to visualize untold histories or speculative futures
- A proof of concept for content creation without expensive infrastructure
By reducing barriers and costs, AI opens up visual storytelling to new voices, geographies, and ideas.
About the “Lens” Series by Null Station
Bengal in 1869 kicks off Lens, Null Station’s initiative to test-drive the future of digital filmmaking. Each short film in the series explores different combinations of AI tools to tell unique, immersive stories.
Think of it as a creative lab for AI-native cinema where scripts, scenes, and sound are all generated in-browser, not in-studio.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is this really the first of its kind?
–> To our knowledge, yes. While earlier projects have used AI in parts, Bengal in 1869 is the first to use AI across the entire production pipeline, from script to screen.
2. Where can I watch it?
–> Watch on YouTube via Null Plus
3. How long is it?
–> The documentary runs approximately 4 minutes.
4. Is it historically accurate?
–> Not exactly. It’s a fictional visual essay inspired by Bengal in 1869 an artistic reimagining, not a historical reenactment.
5. Who made it?
–> It was co-directed by Ratul Biswas and RTB Ruhan, founders of Null Station.
6. What’s next in the Lens series?
–> More experimental stories using different AI tools and narrative formats. Each entry will explore a new way of telling visual stories with minimal human intervention.
Final Word
The tools used in Bengal in 1869 ChatGPT, Runway Gen-2, Pika Labs, ElevenLabs, and BeatOven are changing the game for creatives. What once took studios, crews, and months now takes ideas, prompts, and hours.
We’re just at the start. But if Bengal in 1869 is any indication, the next wave of storytelling won’t be limited by cameras or crews it’ll be limited only by imagination.
