

BEST SCIENCE FILM - Pärnu International Documentary and Anthropology Film Festival | HONORABLE MENTION - Brighton Rocks International Film Festival
Technological Enhancement of Humans • Ethical Boundaries of Merging Humans and Machines • Socio-economic Inequality • Societal Implications of Technology • Cyborg Rights
Date of Completion: 2023 | Run Time: 88 minutes | Language: English & Catalan with English subtitles | Captions: Yes | Includes: Transcript | Director & Producer: Carey Born | Executive Producer: Darren Heath | Director of Photography: Matthew Akers | Editor: Dave Briggs | Sound Editor: Tristan Powell | Archive Producer: Jacqui Edwards
Neil Harbisson wants to convince the world that technological enhancement of our senses is a force for good. From birth only able to see in black and white, Neil yearned from a young age to experience how others feel the emotive power of colour. When he was 21 he had an ‘eyeborg’ antenna permanently implanted in his skull that translates colour waves into sound frequencies.
Neil’s childhood friend, Moon Ribas, has collaborated with Neil on his journey. Moon, a dancer and choreographer, has had subcutaneous implants in her arm and foot, allowing her to perceive (as vibrations) earthquakes from all over the planet. Together they have established the Cyborg Foundation, promoting the creation of new technological senses, and the Transpecies Society, which gives voice to non-human identities and defends the freedom of self-design.
In CYBORG: A DOCUMENTARY, Neil and Moon confront their detractors head on, communicating their controversial ideas about the technological future of humankind. The number of humans becoming ‘cyborgs’ is growing year on year. Our species is on the verge of being able to design and re-design itself at will. As Neil says: “This is happening!” Is the world ready to listen?
Eye For Film
"Fascinating piece of work"
Darling Magazine | Tia Janowski, Film Critic
"It’s not just a documentary; it’s a visual and auditory exploration of the future of technology."
The Guardian | Peter Bradshaw, Film Critic
"Engaging, amusing"
Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI | Andrew Rogoyski, Director of Innovation
"Particularly in light of recent rapid advances in AI, the key question facing us – and underpinning Cyborg: A Documentary – is, 'just because we can, should we?'"
"Born’s film is therefore as relevant to the present as the future, exploring the challenges we face and the problems we have yet to solve in retaining our humanity."
"On watching the film, I particularly wondered whether people should be free to design their own enhancements and pursue individualism, versus our innate need to operate as a society. Social media, despite enriching many lives, has already enabled extremes in individualism and tribalism."
AWARDS
Best Science Film | Pärnu International Documentary and Anthropology Film Festival
Nominee, Best Documentary Feature | Warsaw International Film Festival
Nominee, Best Film | Imagine Science Film Festival / Science New Wave
Nominee, Best International Documentary | Melbourne Documentary Film Festival
Nominee, World Cinema Best Documentary | Phoenix Film Festival
Nominee, Director's Award, Best Documentary | DocUtah
FESTIVALS
CPH:DOX International Documentary Film Festival (World Premiere)
Seattle Film Festival
IHRFFA, International Human Rights Film Festival Albania
Hof International Film Festival, (Hof FilmTage)
Atlanta DocuFest
Festival of Tomorrow