Our Story
Told by our Founder
Hello! I’m Michael Serpell.
I am a documentary storyteller, my purpose is to shine a light in the dark to amplify the voices of social changemakers leading a positive impact in their communities. The stories I tell don’t just highlight a social problem but illuminate a path toward its solution, emphasising that the goodness in the world is what we need to be focused on.
My calling to humanitarian storytelling began on a high school expedition to Cambodia, where I was blown away by the genuine kindness, uplifting spirit and hospitality of the locals while volunteering at an orphanage near Siem Reap. Despite not having the same levels of materialistic wealth as those from my home country, Australia, the way they showed gratitude for what they did have was truly inspirational. So, it was to my absolute shock when I discovered these same people, only three decades earlier, had endured a genocide that wiped out over a quarter of their population. In the face of this horrific reality, their belief in the good of humanity, despite their collective suffering, stayed with me. My intention to focus a lens on the positive changes being made in difficult environments is what motivates me as a storyteller.
My journey as a filmmaker has allowed me to travel the world with purpose, grounding myself in communities, getting to know the locals, building trust and, as a result, gaining a greater appreciation for the impact they are making. In Vietnam, as a volunteer, I’ve taught English, danced, sung, cooked, painted, played sports and formed lifelong friendships at the Friends of Hue Foundation. In Guatemala, I created a documentary about a social enterprise saving lives through purifying unsafe drinking water. In Mexico, I learnt about Mayan ceramic artists, primary school climate education, rural medical aid and women's empowerment through art workshops to create a variety of short documentaries.
My support for creatives and the passion I have for collaboration have led me to mentor students from all walks of life on film sets, documentary programs, television studios, livestream events, award ceremonies and podcast interviews. Recognising an opportunity to combine all of my ambitions together, I founded Planetary Productions — a social enterprise offering authentic storytelling consultancy, a studio to develop feature-length narratives, and documentary education programs pairing local creatives with international filmmakers to produce short-to-feature length stories worthy of global film festival reception.
I love this planet, and I figure that whilst I’m here, I can use my empathetic heart, my creative soul and my cultural intelligence to provide opportunities for international storytellers to shine a light in the dark and amplify the voices of people doing good in our communities, helping make the world a more positive place, one story at a time.
Our planet is filled with great people doing important work in their communities, but sometimes it feels as though the world is in a constant winter — the light we shine on these inspirational leaders is far too little. At Planetary Productions, we exist to bring those stories into the light.
Planetary Productions is a social‑impact documentary studio dedicated to amplifying the voices of people creating positive change in their communities. We specialise in authentic, human‑centred storytelling that not only highlights social issues but illuminates the solutions being built on the ground. By spending real time with our subjects, we uncover the human truth that guides every narrative.
Founded by documentary filmmaker Michael Serpell, what began as a single documentary project in rural Guatemala grew into a vision for a global studio — one that pairs local creatives with international filmmakers to produce stories worthy of global film festival recognition, emphasising the power of storytelling to inspire empathy, shift perspectives and contribute to a more positive world.
We are more than a production studio. We are custodians of cinema, committed to crafting immersive, heartfelt and cinematic stories that honour the people who inspire them — stories shaped with intention, cultural sensitivity and a deep respect for the communities we serve. Every project is approached with the belief that authentic storytelling has the power to shift perspectives, spark empathy and create positive change — one story at a time.
Our Impact
At Planetary Productions
Production Studio
Our production studio manages projects of any scale, offering end‑to‑end support from concept to final delivery. We develop ideas, shape scripts, build moodboards and handle all pre‑production planning. During production, our professional crew captures your story in the highest formats, and in post‑production we take care of editing, colour correction, sound mixing and music scoring where required. We deliver both the final master and all raw footage for your future use. Throughout the process, we listen closely to your goals and craft a creative, practical approach that communicates your message with authenticity — whether for internal communication, external campaigns or long‑form documentary storytelling.
Our Services
At Planetary Productions
Consultancy
We provide tailored storytelling guidance for social enterprises, nonprofits, NGOs and purpose‑driven organisations seeking to communicate their message with clarity and authenticity. Whether through short‑ or long‑form documentaries, podcast interviews, keynote speaking, interactive testimonials or innovative visual campaigns, we begin with a free 15‑minute screening call to understand your goals and outcomes. What sets our consultancy apart is our commitment to uncovering the unheralded voices within your organisation, the quiet changemakers whose contributions shape your mission. By elevating these human stories, we help you communicate impact in a way that is honest, compelling and deeply resonant.
Helping social changemakers and creatives communicate their mission through authentic, human‑centred storytelling that inspires empathy, strengthens connection and amplifies the good being done on our planet.
Documentary Education
Our Documentary Education program brings together local creatives in the country where each film is produced and students seeking real‑world, work‑integrated learning. Together, they collaborate to capture the authentic stories of social changemakers making a difference in their communities. The program produces a 30‑minute to feature‑length documentary designed for global film festival pathways. Participants take on roles such as cinematographer, director, producer, editor, sound and lighting, working intensively in the field to develop their craft. Through homestays, community immersion and cross‑cultural collaboration, filmmakers gain a transformative experience — one that deepens their understanding of global issues and strengthens their ability to tell meaningful, human‑centred, authentic stories.
Where in the World
Should our next story be told?
