We create authentic, cinematic documentaries that honor the people who shaped us and the stories behind the families, legacies, and businesses that matter most. Timeless heirlooms told with the utmost care, creativity, and respect.
Every life has a story worth telling. We help you choose the perfect way to tell yours.
"The level of detail and the creativity made an incredible impression on me, my friends, and my family. I never could have imagined how wonderful it turned out. Way exceeded my expectations."
"Watching my film brought so many emotions, not to mention tears to my eyes."
"A beautiful creation came to life for my children and grandchildren to see in the future."
illumin8 Films didn't begin as a business plan. It began when Barry Reese created a documentary for his mother Rita's 95th birthday. What was meant as a personal gift became something far more powerful: a realization that most meaningful lives are never captured with the care they deserve.
Barry left a successful international career to train under Emmy Award-winning director Alex Gibney, then founded Awesome Films before launching illumin8 in 2024 to bring high-end documentary craft to the most personal stories.
"What began as a gift for my mom turned into a new way to honor lives and preserve legacies, stories that deserve to be remembered." Barry Reese, Founder & CEORead the Full Story →
"In a world of fleeting content and forgotten posts, investing in an illumin8 film is about choosing something that truly lasts."
Ready to create something timeless? We'd love to hear from you.
Every great film begins with a conversation. Tell us your story, and we'll craft an experience tailored to your vision.
A Legacy Film is a cinematic documentary that captures a life well lived: the stories, the laughter, the moments that matter. Crafted into a timeless heirloom your family will treasure for generations.
We begin with a Zoom conversation to learn about the life and memories you'd love to capture. We'll help define the voices to tell your story, build a production schedule, and provide a starter list of questions so filming feels natural and effortless.
We research your family history, gather archival photos and videos, and prepare thoughtful interview questions.
Our Emmy-winning filmmakers come to you with a full cinematic production. The experience is relaxed and intimate, but the process is truly cinematic. Authentic stories unfold naturally when people feel at ease. All you have to do is be yourself.
We weave interviews, digitized archives, music, and visuals into a cinematic documentary designed to capture your essence.
Once a first-look cut is ready, we invite you to share feedback. Every detail is shaped with care until the film feels true and timeless.
Your finished film arrives as a beautifully crafted, personalized video book, a keepsake you can hold in your hands, plus digital copies in multiple formats for easy sharing with family near and far.
"Watching my film brought so many emotions, not to mention tears to my eyes."
"My kids gave me this as a gift. I can't quit watching it. Do it. You will love it."
"The crew could not have been nicer, more respectful and professional. They made it easy on all the participants."
Every family has a story worth telling. Let's make sure yours is never forgotten.
Start Your Legacy Film →A Wedding Film isn't a wedding video. It's a cinematic documentary that captures the journey of two families, the story of how you found each other, and the moments that led to "I do," with the wedding day as the breathtaking final chapter.
We trace both families' histories, traditions, and journeys, weaving them into one cinematic narrative.
Your film debuts before the wedding, the emotional centerpiece of the rehearsal dinner weekend.
Designed to be rewatched for decades, by the couple, their children, and their grandchildren.
We meet to understand your story, your journey together, and the moments that matter most to you as a couple.
We research both families' histories, gather archival materials, and identify key people and moments.
We begin filming long before the wedding day, sitting down with the couple, their parents, and the people who shaped their journey, then capture the wedding day itself as the cinematic final chapter.
We craft your footage into a beautiful film that tells the complete story of how two families became one.
The film premieres at the rehearsal dinner, bringing both families together.
We deliver two films: a shorter rehearsal dinner cut that tells your love story and a full-length documentary to treasure for years to come.
Give both families a film they'll treasure forever.
Start Your Wedding Film →A Business Film captures the real story behind your company: the founders, the journey, the culture. With a cinematic quality that honors your legacy and strengthens your brand.
Documentary-style filmmaking captures the real people and passion behind your brand.
Delivered in formats optimized for website, social media, presentations, and internal comms.
People connect with people, not logos. Your film humanizes your brand.
We sit down with you to understand your business, your audience, and the story that needs to be told, then map out how to bring it to life on screen.
We research your company history and prepare interview guides.
We come to you and handle everything on-site. Our team works around your schedule, accommodates everyone's time, and manages the entire production so you and your team can focus on being yourselves. It's a white-glove experience from start to finish.
We capture your workspace, product, and team in action.
We craft every frame into a polished, cinematic film your company will be proud to put its name on, one that looks and sounds like something you'd see on HBO.
Your finished film is optimized for every platform: website, social media, events, and beyond. Ready to make an impact wherever your audience is.
Each film is a unique journey into the people, families, and ventures that matter most, told with cinematic care.
John never understood his mother, Lisa, until a secret kept for sixty years finally came to light.
John and Susie Foradas recount a life built together from very different beginnings.
The inspiring journey of Joe Battista, the architect behind Penn State Hockey's rise to glory.
John Puchalski's lifelong love of music became a soundtrack for generations.
As she writes her memoir, Mitzi recounts the chapters of her life, illustrated by love and prophecy.
Barbara Benedetti recounts her life on and off the ice, from competitions to traveling the world.
From a dirt road in West Virginia to the NFL gridiron, Mike McKibben followed his grandfather's wisdom.
The story of an Italian immigrant who stitched an over seventy year career as "Pittsburgh's youngest tailor."
Explore our full collection of trailers and complete films.
"The level of detail and the creativity made an incredible impression on me, my friends, and my family. I never could have imagined how wonderful it turned out. Way exceeded my expectations."
"Watching my film brought so many emotions, not to mention tears to my eyes."
"A beautiful creation came to life for my children and grandchildren to see in the future."
"My kids gave me this as a gift. I can't quit watching it. Do it. You will love it."
"The crew could not have been nicer, more respectful and professional. My wife and family were so impressed."
"illumin8 films captured our lives together in a way we never could have imagined!"
Founded on the belief that every life has a story worth telling.
illumin8 films was born from a simple belief: that the lives of the people we love are too important to leave to memory alone. We specialize in personal and family storytelling.
Our team brings decades of experience from the highest levels of film and television production, including work featured on Netflix, HBO Canada, ESPN, internationally acclaimed film festivals, and broadcast networks. We bring that same level of craft and care to every personal film we create.
Real stories, real emotions, told with honesty and care.
Every frame, every edit, crafted with cinematic precision.
Films designed to be treasured for generations.
Visual design and technical execution exist to support meaning, not overshadow it. Every film is shaped by the subject's voice.
We handle preparation, filming, editing, and delivery so families never have to manage the mechanics of production.
Our team's work spans Netflix, ESPN, and major broadcast productions. We bring that same level of craft to every story.
Each film is intended to outlive its makers, carrying the essence of a person forward to people not yet born.