MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - s4story -- West Virginia University students Samuel Felinton and Declan Mungovan have set a new world record for the longest film ever made, completing their experimental documentary The Freedom of Uselessness with 100 days of continuous footage.

The film, which began streaming live on YouTube on August 26, 2025, surpassed the 13-year-old record held by the Swedish film Logistics. The filmmakers reached the symbolic 100-day milestone on December 4, after breaking the previous record on October 11.

A Minimalist Exploration of Time and Non-Productivity

The Freedom of Uselessness features two moss balls, Bubba and Spoiled, floating in still water, filmed continuously in real time. The minimalist documentary delves into Taoist ideas of non-productivity as a form of freedom and reflects on the passage of time through quiet observation.

More on S For Story

• Discover the Magic of Creativity with The Balance of Brushes and Bytes
• Faulkner, Unbound: Casa Carlini Unveils Bold New Carlini Classics Editions of an American Master
• New Satirical Expose, Classified Report: Prime Evil, Launches on Amazon, Somehow Approved by Amazon
• Kentucky Judges Ignore Evidence, Prolong Father's Ordeal in Baseless Case
• Contracting Resources Group Receives 2025 HIRE Vets Platinum Medallion Award from the U.S. Department of Labor

The project was livestreamed and archived in real time across 250+ YouTube episodes, allowing global audiences to experience the unfolding experiment.

From Idea to Record-Breaking Film

Felinton and Mungovan chose moss balls for their simplicity and perceived uselessness. While initially considering other subjects like sea monkeys or fish, they ultimately selected moss balls for their stillness. Maintaining a continuous shoot for 100 days required meticulous planning and problem-solving, with the filmmakers pioneering this approach at such a large scale.

What's Next?

Although the official 100-day filming period ended on December 4, the filmmakers plan to continue shooting until December 19, before submitting the film to festivals and exhibitions. They hope the project will spark academic discussions on experimental cinema.

Felinton and Mungovan's previous film, The Death of Film, was featured in West Virginia University's Online Exhibits, and their next project, Project Butterfly: Flatwoods, will debut at the Mothman Festival in September 2026.

More on S For Story

• Stay Connected Cell Service Optional
• Kateryna Dronova Release New Children's Picture Book - Azuzu Saves the Day
• Aristata Press Announces the Release of Feeding the Enemy: Soviet Women in Nazi Labor Camps in Norway by Liv Mjelde
• Crunchbase Ranks Phinge Founder & CEO Robert DeMaio #1 Globally. Meet him in Las Vegas-Week of CES to Learn About Netverse, Patented App-less Platform
• Renowned Nutritionist and Alternative Medicine Specialist Dr. Sebi and His Method of Treating Disease Are the Focus of New Book

The full Freedom of Uselessness project is available on the Project FINC YouTube channel.

Technical Details

• Title: The Freedom of Uselessness
• Runtime: 100 days (2,400 hours)
• Directors: Samuel Felinton, Declan Mungovan
• Production Companies: Felinton Inc., Project FINC
• Budget: $40 (estimated)
• Stars: Bubba and Spoiled (moss balls)
• Release Date: August 26, 2025 (livestream began)
• IMDb: imdb.com/title/tt38066726
• Full Film: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm71edmOuaPJvYYi9F9auAAvi1nxMXG1v

About the Filmmakers

Samuel Felinton and Declan Mungovan are junior students at West Virginia University, pushing the boundaries of experimental cinema. Their work challenges traditional film norms through minimalist concepts, duration, and philosophical themes related to time and existence.

Note to Editors: High-resolution stills and filmmaker interviews are available upon request. The film is streaming in full on the Project FINC YouTube channel.