Family legacy documentary films

I offer a unique way to honor your family’s history with a custom-made documentary film that captures the biographies of your ancestors. Having filmed my own family’s story, I truly believe this work is irreplaceable, with a value that’s hard to overestimate. It’s an endeavor worth undertaking — and the sooner, the better.

Family history builds bridges and fosters understanding across generations. While many people intend to ask their parents to share their life stories, how many actually do it before those memories fade?

Russia, St. Petersburg, 1990. My grandmother and I

Russia, St. Petersburg, 1990. My grandmother and I

A movie about my father, artist Vyacheslav Shraga. 2025

Why film a legacy documentary?

Family legacy documentaries are a powerful way to preserve your family's history for future generations. When my grandmother, the last keeper of our family stories, passed away, I realized how much had been lost. As a child, I would sit with her around an old family album, and she would share stories about everyone in the photos. But after her passing, I couldn't remember a thing. It was an overwhelming feeling — a sense that something irreplaceable had disappeared, and there was no way to bring it back.

By that time, I was a professional documentary photographer and filmmaker, capturing family stories for humanitarian organizations worldwide. However, I had never documented my own family's history. I had recorded nearly 600 stories, but my own family's story was missing. I knew this had to change.

I turned to my aunt, hoping she could share what she knew about our ancestors. In the hustle of daily life, we had never made time for this conversation. But when we finally sat down, she had so much to share.

I filmed a two-hour interview with her, then edited it cinematically, adding archival photos and music played by my mom. The result was a deeply personal and valuable family documentary — a treasure cherished by everyone.

Now, you have access to my expertise as a documentary filmmaker. If you share my passion for preserving your family’s stories, I’d love to help you create a legacy film that will last for generations. Reach out to learn more about how we can preserve your family’s history today.

How it works: creating your family legacy documentary

Creating a family legacy documentary is a meaningful way to preserve your family's history. You may be driven by an upcoming special occasion, or simply by a desire to create a valuable, lasting record.

Here’s what the process looks like:

  1. Initial Consultation
    Once you reach out, we’ll schedule a free consultation online or in person to discuss your vision for the film. I’ll assess the scope of the project and provide you with a cost estimate. For reference, you can find pricing details on this page.

  2. Preparing Archival Materials
    You’ll gather meaningful materials such as photos, video footage, and audio recordings. You can also create a list of objects or places you’d like filmed or digitized specifically for the documentary.

  3. Interview Preparation
    I’ll help you prepare for the interview by reviewing questions with you ahead of time, ensuring the conversation flows naturally and captures the essence of your family’s story.

  4. The Interview
    I’ll come to the location of your choice to conduct the interview, typically lasting 1.5–2 hours. Interviews can be conducted in English, Russian, or Hebrew, based on your preference.

  5. Archival Material Selection
    We’ll carefully select and incorporate the archival materials you’ve provided, enhancing the narrative of your family’s story.

  6. Post-Production
    Within 4–5 weeks of receiving all materials, I’ll create the documentary in the following formats:

    • Full-Length Documentary: An uncut version with minor technical edits, featuring the interview along with archival materials and additional footage. This version will become a treasured family document for safekeeping.

    • Cinematically Edited 15-30 Minute Version: A shorter, polished version ideal for screenings at family gatherings or sharing with relatives.

  7. Delivery and Storage
    Your documentary will be uploaded to a private cloud service for secure sharing. Additionally, you’ll receive a custom-made flash drive for long-term storage, ensuring the film is preserved safely.

Privacy
Your family documentary will remain private unless you choose to share it publicly.

Ukraine, Kyiv, 2024. After an interview

Start exploring your family’s history today.
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