Family documentaries · Toronto, Ontario

Turn the stories your family tells into a film you’ll always have.

We make beautifully crafted films from the stories, photographs and home movies that mean the most to your family.

Explore story ideas

Whether it begins with a life story, a favourite family tale or an old photograph, we help you make a film your whole family can gather around.

Starting points

There’s more than one way to tell a family story.

Explore twenty-one starting points designed to make sharing stories feel natural, never rehearsed.

Or browse the ideas

These are twenty-one ways to begin a family film—from a memory, photograph or place to a lesson, game or conversation. Open any idea to see how it works.

How it works

From the first conversation to a film your family can watch together.

We guide you through every step, gently and clearly, so being filmed feels comfortable and the finished story feels true to you.

1
A pile of old black-and-white family photographs

Discovery.

We get to know the person at the heart of the film, listen for the stories that matter and shape a plan together. You’ll know exactly what to expect before we begin filming.

2
A filmmaker seated beside studio lights, reviewing notes before an interview

Production.

We create a relaxed setting for the interview and bring the photographs, home movies and meaningful details into the story. Nothing needs to feel performed or rehearsed.

3
A private family website showing the finished film and a gallery of photographs

The Portal.

Your family gets a private website for the finished film and digitized photographs, ready to watch together and share with the people you choose.

Services

Choose the film that fits your story.

These are our most common starting points. Every film is shaped around the people and stories involved, and we’re always happy to discuss something more personal.

A smiling older man in a straw hat, outdoors under trees

The Portrait

A short, beautifully made film centred on one person’s most meaningful stories.

  • One-person interview
  • 100 photographs digitized
  • 5–8 minute documentary
  • Private family website
Starting at $3,100
Inquire about The Portrait
An older couple embracing and laughing together

The Memoir

A fuller film for a life with several chapters—or a story with several voices.

  • Up to three people interviewed
  • 250 photographs digitized
  • 12–15 minute documentary
  • Private family website
Starting at $6,200
Inquire about The Memoir
An older man seated in a lecture hall, ready for his interview
Bespoke

The Feature

A fully custom film for a larger family story, shaped around the people, places and material that bring it to life.

  • Three or more people interviewed, at home or in studio
  • A 20-minute-plus film, with companion short films
  • Up to 1,000 photographs, plus VHS or film digitization
  • Live stream of the interview for family in other cities
  • Private family website
Quoted per project
Inquire about The Feature
An older man in glasses smiling in a stone courtyard
When the film ended, nobody moved. My father just looked at the screen, and then he said, “I forgot I ever sounded like that.”
A son · Rosedale
Contact Us

Tell us who you’re thinking of.

You don’t need to have the story figured out. Tell us a little about the person you have in mind, and we’ll help you find the right way in—with no pressure.

hello@rootsandreels.ca 416 555 0148 By appointment · Toronto, Ontario