"A short documentary doesn't ask people to trust your brand. It gives them a reason to."

Skydrum Films is led by Hermien Roelvert-van Gils — a reputation and brand storytelling specialist who brings 18 years of documentary-grade credibility to corporate and cause-driven campaigns. After studying Business Communication at North-West University, she rose from TV editor to Producer/Director, building a career on crafting compelling visual stories — from minutes-long videos to feature-length documentaries. Mostly behind the lens, but occasionally in front of it, Hermien has earned multiple awards, including the SAB Environmental Video Award, as well as a SAFTA nomination. Since launching Skydrum Films in 2015, her independent documentary has streamed internationally and received recognition at film festivals worldwide.

Hermien setting up a gopro camera

"Anyone can point a camera at an interview and cut in a few pictures. Making that story matter — making a hard subject bearable, or a dull one worth watching — isn't something you learn in a textbook. I learned the skill over thousands of hours in the field. After 20 years, it's not a technique anymore. It's instinct."

Hermien Roelvert-van Gils

SKYDRUM FILMS 2.0 -CORPORATE MICRO DOCUMENTARIES

Born from this award-winning documentary heritage, Skydrum Films now channels its expertise into creating brand, campaign, PR, marketing, and informational videos for smaller companies and causes.

When the goal is reputation — earning trust after a launch, a crisis, or simply as an unknown name trying to be believed — this is where documentary technique does what a press release can't. It doesn't ask an audience to take your word for it. It shows them.

By applying documentary filmmaking techniques — capturing meaningful moments and drawing out authenticity in interviews — Skydrum Films creates content that emotionally connects with audiences, making brands both relatable and trustworthy.

Hermien finding the story

Go find the story!

Hermien immersing herself in the story.

Not every story makes the cut

I only take on brands and causes I genuinely believe in. The seven years I gave to Diary of an Elephant Orphan were only possible because I believed in that story completely — that's still the standard for what I take on now. If your story is one worth telling properly, and it's something you believe in too, I'd like to hear about it.

 

We have worked on projects with WSP, The Coves Estate, Rugani Carrot Juice, Elephants Alive, University Pretoria, Fitzpatrick Institute, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, University of Johannesburg, University Stellenbosch, University of the Witwatersrand, Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Jabulani Safari, HERD, Zimanga Private Game Reserve, Provet Wildlife, Edunako as well as numerous other facilities across South Africa and a great many individuals with worthwhile causes.

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We have worked on projects with WSP, The Coves Estate, Rugani Carrot Juice, Elephants Alive, University Pretoria, Fitzpatrick Institute, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, University of Johannesburg, University Stellenbosch, University of the Witwatersrand, Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Jabulani Safari, HERD, Zimanga Private Game Reserve, Provet Wildlife, Edunako as well as numerous other facilities across South Africa and a great many individuals with worthwhile causes. 〰️

 
 
 
 
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