THE BRANDO | TETIAROA SOCIETY
Documenting Conservation, Science, and Sustainability in French Polynesia
A documentary collection exploring conservation, sustainability, and the people working to protect one of French Polynesia's most remarkable natural environments.A documentary collection exploring conservation, sustainability, and the people working to protect one of French Polynesia's most remarkable natural environments.
The Project
Five distinct stories. One shared mission.
Located on the private atoll of Tetiaroa in French Polynesia, The Brando is a sustainable luxury resort that has partnered with Tetiaroa Society to protect and restore the island's natural environment while preserving its cultural heritage.
Big Bite Films produced a five-part documentary collection for The Brando and Tetiaroa Society, highlighting the conservation, scientific research, and sustainability initiatives taking place across the atoll.
Created for The Brando's guests and Tetiaroa Society's broader audience, the films explore five distinct aspects of the island, from the innovative environmental systems supporting the resort to efforts to bring seabirds back to islands where invasive rats and ants had driven them away, the recovery of native crab populations, and the protection and rehabilitation of sea turtles.
Together, the collection reveals the interconnected relationship between Tetiaroa's wildlife, its environment, and the people dedicated to preserving it.
Behind the Series
Finding the Right Stories for Five Short Films.
One of our greatest challenges was deciding what to leave out. Tetiaroa's conservation programs, scientific research, cultural heritage, and sustainability initiatives offered far more fascinating material than we could possibly include in five short documentaries. We needed to identify the most compelling information, moments, and personal stories for viewers while giving each film a clear focus.
Producing the films during a seven-day shoot also required careful coordination with The Brando's leadership, Tetiaroa Society's researchers, cultural and education leaders, and local guides. Richard Bailey, the developer of The Brando and a driving force behind the vision for Tetiaroa, offered insight into the resort's approach to sustainability, while the scientists and researchers shared firsthand accounts of their work to restore the atoll's natural ecosystems.
Unpredictable wildlife behavior, changing weather, and research activities that couldn't always be scheduled added to the complexity of filming.
What stood out most was the dedication of the people working to restore Tetiaroa's motus, protect its wildlife, and bring the islands closer to their natural state. Their commitment became the heart of the films, allowing us to tell five distinct stories while conveying the larger purpose behind their work.
Explore the Tetiaroa Documentary Collection
Discover the stories behind the collection.
Mission of the Tetiaroa Society
Turtles of Tetiaroa
The Return of the Birds to Tetiaroa
Tetiaroa's Return of the Crabs
The Brando | Green Tour
Let's Tell Your Story
From a single documentary to a multi-film series, Big Bite Films works with luxury hospitality brands, nonprofits, and organizations to bring complex subjects to life through thoughtful storytelling and cinematic production.
Whether you're looking to showcase your organization, highlight an important initiative, or tell a series of connected stories, we'd be happy to discuss your project.