01 / What we do
Documentary production
Real people. Real places. Stories worth staying with.
Some stories need time on the ground. We bring a documentary approach to people, places, and the questions that connect them—whether the result is a standalone film or an ongoing series.
For organizations with a story to tell about their people, communities, research, or work in the field.
Discuss a project ↗What we can help with
- Story development and interview planning
- Field production and documentary interviews
- Standalone films and episodic series
- Editorial development through the final cut
Studio in Valencia, California. Filming across Los Angeles and working worldwide.
How it works
A clear path
through the process.
- Understand the story, the people involved, and the audience you want to reach.
- Plan the access, interviews, locations, and production approach around the story.
- Shape the footage into a film, with agreed review stages and delivery formats.
In practice
Related work
Documentary series
The Conservation Diaries
Emirates Nature–WWF
Stories of conservation, from restoring mangroves to the people documenting the UAE’s natural world.
Brand documentary · Supply-chain transparency
Seafood traceability, from the water onwards
Seafood Souq
An Ayni Studios film made in Cape Town, South Africa, connecting pole-and-line tuna fishing with Seafood Souq’s work on digital seafood traceability.
Travel films · Wildlife storytelling
Life and adventure in the Peruvian Amazon
Amazonia Expeditions
Four Ayni Studios films for Amazonia Expeditions, bringing rainforest wildlife, the journey to Tahuayo Lodge, and a canopy adventure to its audience.
International recognition
Selected for UNDP’s Nature for Life Hub.
Ayni Studios’ documentary They Live in Our World was selected to be featured at the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Nature for Life Hub 2024 virtual event.
The film follows orphaned monkeys and their caretakers in the Amazon rainforest. The official Day 3 programme lists the film under “Behavioral Change and Environmental Impact” and credits Ayni Studios.
Watch They Live in Our World ↗
View the official event listing ↗Planning your project
Do we need a finished brief?
No. Tell us what you are working on, who the film should reach, and any important dates. We can help develop the story and define the production scope with you.
How do I choose a documentary production company?
Watch complete films, not just a showreel. Look at how the company handles interviews, narrative structure, sound, and the people whose stories it tells. Ask what it produced itself and who will lead your film. Ayni’s Conservation Diaries case study and public film library let you assess our documentary approach.
Can a documentary be made without a new location shoot?
Sometimes. If you have useful interviews, archive footage, or audio, we can assess an edit-led or animated approach. Filming kits and local filmmakers offer other ways to capture missing material. The right choice depends on the story and the quality of the material, not simply the intended running time.
A scope that fits.
Looking for an affordable media company? We can discuss existing footage, filming kits, audio-led animation, and local filmmakers alongside new field production. The right approach depends on your story, material, budget, and deadline.
Plan your production budget ↗Choosing a storytelling partner ↗
Make something meaningful
What story do you want to tell?
Book a 15-minute conversation about your idea, your brief, or the footage you already have. Based in Valencia, California, working with Los Angeles and the world.