Crew of From Chang'an to Rome, a 100-episode documentary series, work in Rome.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Other than real-life stories, the futuristic world has also become an inspiration for domestic and foreign documentary producers.

Origin, a 10-episode science fiction series set in the near future, is a production created by the China International Television Corp, Britain's Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television International Production.

The drama will debut on YouTube in November in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, French and German.

Directed by English filmmaker Paul William Scott Anderson, known for the zombie-themed franchise Resident Evil, Origin is something of a horror thriller, says Wayne Garvie, president of international productions at Sony Pictures Television.

The story follows a group of people from different countries on board a spaceship traveling to colonize a new planet, but something goes wrong that wakens the passengers.

"Then we trace the stories of the individuals. It's a bit like the American series Lost," says Garvie, who also attended the forum.