Real  People.
Real Stories.
Real World.

Documentaries that matter. RealWorld crafts compelling stories about social, environmental, and cultural issues shaping our planet.

Our stories are 

intimate

authentic

compelling

current

RealWorld creates character driven stories with an intimate point of view.

Our work is grounded in authenticity, prioritizing lived experience, trust-based access, and honest representation over spectacle or narration. We employ strong character arcs and thoughtful pacing to sustain emotional and intellectual engagement. Our subject matter is topical and socially relevant, responding to contemporary issues and cultural moments as they unfold. Above all, the work remains real—eschewing artificial dramatization in favour of truthful, nuanced portrayals that respect both participants and audiences.

Our stories champion 

truth

justice

change

hope

RealWorld confronts power, exposes injustice, and gives voice to those unheard.

Our work is grounded in rigorous research, firsthand testimony, and integrity. We advocate for justice by illuminating systemic harm, holding institutions accountable, and centering the lived realities of affected communities. Our stories spark change, not only by informing audiences but by shifting public conversation and inspiring action. Even when tackling difficult subjects, our work is ultimately guided by hope—revealing resilience, possibility, and the belief that awareness, understanding, and empathy can lead to a better world.

Our stories 

inform

inspire

empower

entertain

RealWorld tells stories that enlighten and entertain.

Our work is designed to inspire by highlighting human resilience, innovation, and the forces that drive change. Each series seeks to empower viewers with knowledge, context, and perspective—encouraging critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the world around them. At the same time, we value the importance of entertainment, crafting engaging narratives with strong characters, cinematic production values, and compelling pacing that make complex subjects accessible and rewarding to our international audiences.

Recent Work

Explore our thought-provoking television documentary series.

Northern Air Rescue

Documentary Series

See how one airline provides a lifeline to some of Canada’s most remote communities.

The Conversation

Documentary Series

An empowering docuseries where substance use survivors, their families and friends, engage in a raw and emotive ‘conversation’ about their life, addiction, and how they found a pathway to healing.

Native Planet

Documentary Series

In an epic global adventure, discover sustainable solutions for our changing climate and world deep inside fascinating Indigenous communities and cultures.

Power to the People

Documentary Series

Climate change activist Melina-Laboucan Massimo travels to Indigenous communities across Canada to see how visionary clean energy solutions are paving the way to a post carbon future.

The New Energy

Documentary Series

Visit innovative First Nations communities across British Columbia to see how they are shaping the future of energy and empowering their communities.

Our Story

RealWorld takes a hands-on approach to crafting stories. Our creative teams conceive and develop our stories, travel the world to film our content, then edit our documentaries from RealWorld’s studio in Vancouver, Canada. This auteur approach to production keeps us close to our subject matter and provides us with intimate access to the people and communities whose stories we are privileged to share.

We are passionate about extending our stories to online audiences and thoughtfully plan our productions around digital promotions and second screen experiences which are created in tandem with our films and television series.

RealWorld Media is led by the filmmaking team of Carmen Henríquez and Denis Paquette. Friends since film school, their creative partnership spans two decades and the production of numerous doc features, series, and one-offs. Inspired by social, Indigenous, and environmental themes, their films and series seek to elevate the voices of the under-represented communities.

A collage of Carmen and Denis in a variety of locations around the world, often with their film gear. A collage of Carmen and Denis in a variety of locations around the world, often with their film gear.