Documentary Education
Teaching the Story
I create documentary education programs that bring together emerging filmmakers, students and local creatives to tell meaningful stories with real-world impact.
This offering is designed for filmmakers who want to move beyond the classroom and gain hands-on experience collaborating with communities, changemakers and storytellers in the field.
Through immersive documentary programs, participants work together to research, film and produce authentic stories about people creating positive change in their communities. The focus is not just on making a film, but on learning how to approach storytelling with cultural sensitivity, creative confidence and genuine human connection.
Participants may take on roles across directing, cinematography, producing, editing, sound, lighting and story development while being supported through mentorship, field experience and collaborative production.
The goal is to create documentaries with depth, purpose and festival potential — while helping the next generation of storytellers develop the skills, awareness and confidence to tell stories that matter.
Created by Planetary Productions
Planetary Productions is a social-impact storytelling studio founded by documentary filmmaker Michael Serpell. We help changemakers, creatives and purpose-led organisations communicate their mission through authentic, human-centred storytelling that inspires empathy, strengthens connection and amplifies the good being done on our planet.
Learn
Documentary storytelling, interviewing, cinematography, editing and ethical filmmaking.
Create
Produce a real-world 30 minute or longer documentary alongside a collaborative international crew.
Connect
Work directly with local changemakers, community leaders, local and international storytellers.
Explore
Experience a new culture through meaningful immersion beyond traditional tourism.
Grow
Develop confidence, leadership, interviewing skills, creative problem-solving, cultural intelligence and professional resilience.
Share
Screen your documentary with the community and showcase your work to a wider audience.
Continue
Join a global alumni network to share films, exchange ideas, build skills, and collaborate on future storytelling projects.
