Film festivals tend to display a wider variety of movies than would typically be seen in a cinema. For those interested in a particular niche, or perhaps documentaries, there is plenty of scope to actually come away having learned something. With a depth to films rarely explored in the mainstream, film festivals offer an alternative to those wanting to actually learn something transferable to life. Here are just a few of those examples, each helping us go forward to the future in their own way with some clarity.

The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin

They say life imitates art but just as often, art imitates life. This 2014 feature documentary directed by Nicholas Mross debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in the same year and gives the inside scoop on the online currency, Bitcoin. For those who don’t know what it is, the film is a must-watch. The mysterious currency of the future is rather complex but, once you understand it, you’re that much closer to a glimpse of what’s to come. It’s already being used across the Internet to pay for a variety of goods, from hotels to online casinos. In the meantime - do your research. For example, before you get started, you'll need to have Bitcoin wallets explained: a wallet is a real or virtual place to store the details of your Bitcoins, secured by cryptographic "keys".

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

Directed by Rita Coburn Whack and Bob Hercules, this 2016 documentary about the late Maya Angelou teaches us somewhat more of a life lesson than anything else. She was an inspiration; a civil rights activist and a calm, influential presence with a wide-reaching impact – and we could all learn something from her even today. It was shown at the Sundance Festival and is a skilful tribute to a woman whose dedication will be important and apparent long after her physical presence on the earth is not. Straddling both her artistic nature and her political freedom, this is a must-watch for those who want to take a leaf out of this iconic woman’s book.

The Farthest

There’s perhaps nothing more important for the future of our planet than space exploration and a deeper understanding of what’s out there. This Irish film had its international premiere at Tribeca earlier in 2017 and gives an in-depth look at NASA’s first Voyager probes in 1977, which gave us our first glimpse of planets like Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune (for the first time, up close and personal). The incredible 12billion mile journey and the engineering feats involved are both uncovered in this fascinating glimpse into what we can learn from the Universe around us. Emer Reynolds – writer and director – even gave a Q&A afterwards, discussing the decision to release it 40 years after the scientific victory began.

No matter the film, having an understanding of the direction our planet is heading in is important. Whether we’re looking at the currency we’ll spend, the views we’ll treasure, or the galaxies we neighbor, each uncovers a story worth hearing.