Commission a film
Past Forward Pictures makes legacy films — biographical documentaries built from interviews, archival footage, and AI-recreated story scenes. Birthday, retirement, memorial, or just because. We deliver a master file and a private streaming page on this site.
Unhurried, private, no obligation.
Who we make films for
For anyone whose story shaped your family
A heartfelt cinematic memoir built around the lessons, advice, and quiet wisdom of someone you love — a parent, grandparent, sibling, mentor, anyone whose presence defined a life. Often gifted on a milestone birthday, anniversary, or remembrance.
For anyone whose work or calling reached beyond them
A film about a life of accomplishment — the work, the people, the passions that defined it. Athletes, artists, teachers, faith leaders, public servants, philanthropists, anyone whose story has an audience and a family who knew them first.
For anyone who built something that wasn't there before
An institutional-grade portrait of the person behind a company, a community, a movement, or a body of work. Often commissioned at retirement, an exit, an anniversary, or any moment when it's time to record what got built — and who built it.
Tiers
Final pricing is determined after a discovery conversation and depends on travel, runtime, and scope. Quoted prices are starting points.
From $8,900
From $19,500
From $125,000
Heirloom takes a 30% deposit with the balance on delivery. Signature and Cinematic are 25% upfront plus 2–3 milestone payments. Wire transfer or major credit cards.
How we build it
Every film is mixed differently — the proportions depend on the subject, the archive, and what the story asks for. These are the materials we work with.
Interviews
Conversations with the subject and the people who know them best.
Archival B-roll
Old photos, home video, news clips, audio recordings — anything that anchors the film in real material.
AI re-creations
Photoreal scenes for moments that were never filmed. Always reviewed by you, used with restraint.
Music & titles
Custom score, transitions, and the title cards that hold it all together.
How it works
A private, no-obligation conversation to understand who the film is about and what story you want it to tell. We share a tier recommendation by email afterward.
Principal interviews, supporting interviews with family and colleagues, on-location filming where appropriate. We collect every photo and home video you can hand us.
Edit, AI scene generation, score, color, and sound. You get one to four rounds of revision notes depending on tier — most clients only need one.
A 4K master file and a private streaming page on Past Forward Pictures so family and friends worldwide can watch. Theatrical premiere coordination available on Cinematic.
Inquiry
Don’t worry about getting everything right — this just starts the conversation. We’ll follow up within 48 hours.