Gennie, the newly launched generative AI content studio based in Los Angeles, and Phoenix Television, the non-scripted UK television production company, have entered into a new co-production deal for the documentary series, Birds Aren’t Real.
The series examines modern conspiracy theories and broader questions about how and why these ideas persist and gain credibility, and what they say about public trust in media, science, institutions, and authority in the digital age. The announcement was made today jointly by Max Einhorn, CEO and Co-founder of Gennie, and Miles Jarvis and Jaimi West from Phoenix Television, at Realscreen Summit 2026.
The series takes its name from the viral Birds Aren’t Real phenomenon, which began in 2017 as a satirical joke about conspiracy culture, but gained traction as an actual movement and became a widely cited example of how misinformation can spread, evolve, and in some cases, be taken seriously.
Each episode will explore one widely debated global conspiracy theory by taking a deep dive into examining its origins, the evidence cited by proponents, and the historical, scientific, or journalistic record used to assess speculation, belief, and verified fact.
Narratives that will be explored include: birds aren’t real, the moon landing, the flat Earth movement, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappearance, suppressed medical breakthroughs, and claims involving hidden or withheld technologies, among others.
Max Einhorn, CEO and Co-founder of Gennie states, “This is a fascinating topic that has intrigued me for many years, and I’m thrilled to help explore the line between fact and fiction. Our AI technology will dramatically enhance these stories, guiding viewers through the evolution of conspiracy theories and providing a deeper understanding of how these movements originate and take hold.”
Miles Jarvis, Founding Partner of Phoenix Television continues, “In an increasingly connected world where ideas can proliferate rapidly, we believe it is essential to responsibly examine these conspiracy theories and how they spread. We are excited to bring on Gennie’s AI expertise to truly show the viewer how these theories originate in this new and compelling series.”
Every AI-assisted sequence created by Gennie is designed and directed by real filmmakers and is integrated alongside live interviews and licensed archive materials to support clarity, scale, and visual coherence. The AI is used to help contextualize historical moments, illustrate abstract or disputed ideas, and clarify timelines and narrative complexity.
The series consists of eight episodes and is seeking commissioning broadcasters and streamers. The deal was brokered by Max Einhorn for Gennie and Miles Jarvis for Phoenix Television.
Global sales for Birds Aren’t Real are being handled by BossaNova Media.
About Gennie
Gennie is a generative AI content studio redefining how non-fiction and documentary stories are brought to life. Co-founded by Max Einhorn, Chelsea Durgin, and Tejas Shah, Gennie specializes in creating high-fidelity reenactments and innovative visual storytelling for television, film, and digital platforms. With a deep background in international co-productions and factual entertainment, the team merges human direction with proprietary AI workflows to deliver cinematic, cost-efficient content at broadcast scale.
In 2025, Gennie played an integral role in Killer Kings, produced by First Look TV, which premiered on Sky History on June 16, 2025 – the first documentary series in the world to air with fully AI-generated reenactments. The series recently won the 2025 Broadcast Tech Innovation Award for Best Use of AI (Creative).
Gennie operates under its proprietary Pillars of Protection, ensuring that all models used are enterprise-grade, inputs are fully licensed or original, and every production step is meticulously documented for compliance, transparency, and indemnification. From true crime to history to original formats, Gennie partners with producers, distributors, and broadcasters worldwide to unlock new creative possibilities in documentary storytelling.
