Frequently Asked Questions

A legacy film is a professionally made documentary that captures someone's life, business, or history on film, made to last well beyond the moment it was made and be passed down to future generations.

 A family documentary is a personal film made about your family. It might focus on a parent or grandparent's life, your whole family across generations, or the stories and values that define who you are. It is one of the most meaningful keepsakes a family can have, something to pass down to children and grandchildren for generations to come. Every film is bespoke and varies in archive available, varying locations, and number of interviews.

A founder story film documents how a business came to exist. The person behind it, the highs and lows that shaped it, and what it stands for today. Useful for brand storytelling, internal culture, succession planning, or simply getting the origin story on record before it is lost. Every film is bespoke and varies in archive available, filming locations, and number of interviews.

If there is a story in your family or business that deserves to be told properly and you want something that will outlast a photo album or a social post, then yes. Rocha Films works with families who want to preserve their family memories, founders who want their origin story told on film, and family businesses marking a milestone or preparing for the next generation.

Yes, and it often makes for a richer, more layered story. A family documentary or founder film can include multiple contributors including family members, friends, colleagues, employees or anyone whose perspective adds depth. Filming across different locations also helps bring a story to life, whether that is a family home, a meaningful place, a business premise, or somewhere with personal significance. We plan all of this during pre-production so everything is organised ahead of the filming day.

I founded Rocha Films after 10 years of experience producing documentaries sharing the stories of families, founders, and businesses around the world. Having grown up with a father who is a journalist, historian, and author,  storytelling has always been part of life. Also, a personal experience of loss is what led me to build a business dedicated to preserving the stories that matter most. Every project is led personally, handled with care, and shaped around the client. 

Get in touch via the contact page. We will have an initial chat to understand what you are looking for and whether we are the right fit. From there we will outline a process and a scope that works for you.

Yes, and it is something we are experienced in. The process is relaxed and unhurried. We take time before filming begins to make sure everyone feels at ease. Most people who come in nervous say it ended up being one of the most enjoyable and memorable experiences of the whole project.

That is entirely your choice. Some clients prefer to come camera ready, others like the extra confidence of having a professional there on the day.

If you would like a hair and makeup artist arranged, we can organise that as part of your filming day.

Rocha Films is based in London, however we have worked in more than 30 countries and states, so wherever your story is, the team can get there.

Every project is bespoke. The length, shoot days, locations, video digitalisation and any archival research all shape the investment. Get in touch and we will give you a clear picture of what is involved and costs before anything is agreed.

Each project is bespoke, and the length of time depends on your availability. Projects involving archive materials, multiple locations, or international travel can take a little longer. We agree a timeline upfront so there are no surprises, and happy to meet deadlines too when possible. 

Most films run between 10 and 30 minutes depending on many variables. We will recommend a length based on what your story needs, not a template. If you want something longer, we can discuss that too..

All we require from you is access to old photos, videos, letters, or archive materials you would like included.

We will talk through everything in pre-production so you feel prepared before a camera is switched on.

You receive the final film as a high quality digital file and/or on a memory stick. You will also receive a link with any original footage you would like. Depending on your project, additional formats can be provided too.

It is one of the most personal and lasting gifts you can give. These films make a unique anniversary gift, a meaningful birthday gift, or a special present for a parent or grandparent. Unlike flowers or a dinner out, it is something the whole family will treasure for generations, and can watch and enjoy it together. Many clients commission a film to mark a milestone and end up with something far more valuable than they expected.

Yes. A family reunion or multi generational gathering is one of the best opportunities to capture family stories on film while everyone is together. We can document the event, record interviews with family members, and create a film that captures not just the occasion but the personalities, stories, and connections that make your family unique. It is the kind of keepsake no photograph or written record can replicate.

Alongside the film itself, we can offer video digitalisation, social clips (if needed), photography and specific family history research.

Yes. We work on a simple, transparent payment structure: 50% deposit to secure your booking and begin pre-production, 25% after filming is complete, and the final 25% on delivery of your finished documentary film.

You own your finished film and the footage filmed for your project. Rocha Films retains the right to use excerpts for portfolio or promotional purposes only with your permission.

Your film is yours to share as you wish. We treat every project as confidential from our side, but once delivered, you're free to share your family documentary or founder story film privately, internally, or publicly, however suits you.

Yes. Every project includes one round of editing revisions and one final sign-off round, giving you the chance to review your documentary film and request changes before it's delivered.

Confidentiality is built into how we work. We never share, publish, or reference any part of your film without your explicit permission.

Yes. Every documentary film we make is bespoke, and filming sessions are flexible to suit the person being interviewed. We take the time beforehand to understand what will help each individual feel comfortable, whether that's shorter sessions, supporting photos, or a more relaxed pace, so their story comes through naturally.

Yes. We offer subtitles and translations, making your family documentary or founder story film accessible to a wider audience, including relatives or colleagues who speak a different language.

Yes. A founder story film works well for both succession planning and employee onboarding, helping preserve institutional knowledge and giving new generations or new hires a clear sense of the company's history, values, and journey.

A founder story film is a personal documentary, not a corporate video. Rather than promotional messaging, it captures the real story behind a business: the people, the risks, and the moments that shaped it. Every film is bespoke, made to preserve memories and history for future generations, not simply to market a brand.

Yes. A company story film is a meaningful way to mark a business anniversary or milestone, capturing the journey so far and preserving it as a lasting record for employees, clients, and future generations of the business.

That's not a problem. Every film is bespoke, and we work with whatever material is available. If there isn't much archive to draw on, we find creative ways to tell your story on camera, through interviews, locations, and present-day filming.

We coordinate professional photo and video digitisation as part of your project, helping preserve archive material alongside your new documentary film.

We film in high-quality 4K, ensuring your documentary film is future-proofed and holds up in quality for years, and generations, to come.

We take time to build a genuine connection with everyone we film, so you feel comfortable sharing the stories that matter to you. Some memories can be emotional, and if those are the ones you'd like to include, we create a relaxed, open space where they can be shared naturally and at your own pace.

Rocha Films specialises in documentary storytelling, not event videography. While a wedding or event videographer captures a single occasion, we create in-depth documentary films that explore a person's life, a family's history, or a business's journey, built through professional interviews, observational filming, archive material, and curated storytelling.

Yes. Rocha Films is based in London but works internationally, having filmed in more than 25 countries across 6 continents. Wherever your story is, we can travel to you, and we manage all logistics, communication, and planning remotely from the outset.