top of page
Ambitious Engine, Brand Documentary Films

AUTHENTIC
STORIES MAKE
YOUR mission REAL

 

authentic stories make your mission real

Your brand entertaining the masses

READY TO TELL YOUR STORY?

We bring your mission and cause to life through documentary storytelling.

Nobody knows your brand better than those you help, empower, heal, and uplift.

The future of brand growth isn’t just about marketing—it’s about telling authentic stories that highlight the people and communities you impact.

By connecting your brand’s impact to your cause, we help you own the issue that matters most—so you’re recognized as a leader, not just a name. 

MEET THE DREAM TEAM!

BRAND STORYTELLERS

Our mission, is to showcase your mission

We’re a collective of award-winning documentary filmmakers based in NYC, with backgrounds in feature film, advertising, and marketing.

Through our lens, we aim to bring more understanding, hope, and impact to the world.

We collaborate with brands, executive producers, agencies, and NGOs to create short films, real-world commercials, and docu-series—crafting stories that inspire and drive change.

Ambitious Engine is led by Joe Cleary

MEET THE DREAM TEAM!

Ambitious Engine, Emmys
Ambitious Engine, People's Choice
Ambitious Engine, Oscars
Ambitious Engine, Telly Awards
Me, high res.jpg

A Telly Award winning, British filmmaker, with 12 year years experience on the client side, managing brands and leading campaigns. 

Izzy_edited.jpg

Oscar considered picture/ sound editor and illustrator with clients including Intel, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and the 9/11 museum.

Kuldip.jpg

Picture Editor with documentary and branded content experience from film festivals to Netflix, PBS, and Amazon Prime.

Julie Bio_edited_edited_edited.png

Award-Winning Producer, with best picture at Los Angeles Film Festiva

Craig profile.png

Rolling stone and Getty featured street and doc photographer.

claudia canon.jpeg

World renowned Cinematographer of Emmy and Oscar nominated docs, best known for her ability to bring rich tones of the motion picture to a diverse range of subjects.

SIX-PART STORY FRAMEWORK

Authentic Stories. Truthfully Told.

Ambitious Engine, storyboarding for success

We get to know your brand ambassadors and uncover the most compelling ways to tell their stories through:

 

  • Verité – Capturing real moments as they unfold, creating an immersive, raw experience.
     

  • Interviews – Thoughtful conversations that reveal deep insights and emotions.
     

  • Recreations – Retelling stories through actors/ animations.

 

By blending these approaches, we create visually stunning, emotionally resonant films that connect your brand’s impact to a greater cause.

Can you answer these questions about your brand and company?

3 Stakes.jpg

YOUR CAUSE IS YOUR BRAND

We bring your issue to life, helping the audience understand the bigger picture. Perhaps you're saving lives or helping communities access cleaner water. 

What's your  mission & cause?

1

Perfect Waves

CHARACTER GOALS


We spotlight individuals or groups impacted by your cause/ brand area and tell the story through their eyes.


We uncover their aspirations and goals relative to your cause to reveal their drive.

Who are your brand advocates? 

2

1 Character.jpg

STAKES AND MEANING

We highlight the significance and consequence of failing to get what they want and how this impacts them. 

The "why" is often overlooked, but is the drive for all we do and care about.

Why is it so important?

3

4 Obsticles.jpeg

OBSTACLES/ CHALLENGES

Life isn't easy. Your brand advocates are trying their best, but often things get in the way.

 

Obstacles set up the reasons for your brand to lend a hand.

What stops them? 

4

5. Activation.jpg

BRAND ACTIVATION

Along the way, you may help your brand advocates through use of a product, service, advice, care or advocacy. 


Your brand is seen as a mentor, ally, partner or fixer or simply as someone to facilitate a conversation or provide a voice.

How do you help?

5

Hand Touching Water

 

TRUTH AND MEANING

 

Every story needs a resolution. Brands are bigger than the issue they represent. There's something deeper at play that we reveal to the audience.

How does your
story end?

6

START THE ENGINE

Every story starts somewhere.
Let's find yours.

Your brand showing emotional depth

Whether you have a clear vision or just know you want to capture something meaningful, we’ll help you shape it into a powerful film.

Here are some ways to start thinking about your project:

  • Who are your brand’s most inspiring voices? – The people whose stories embody your mission.
     

  • What issue do you want to own? – The cause that aligns with your brand’s impact.
     

  • What emotions should your audience feel? – Hope, urgency, inspiration, trust?
     

  • Where does your story unfold? – A workplace, a community, the world at large?
     

  • How do you want to tell it? – Through raw verité, intimate interviews, or a cinematic blend?

COMMERCIALS
 

Commercials featuring real people sharing authentic stories in a captivating manner. 

We excel at crafting intimate, emotional on camera experiences to resonate with your audience. 

CAMPAIGNS
 

Compelling stories about your brand or cause, ranging from 60s to 20 minutes. 

 

Delve deeper with a video campaign or series to highlight different characters and viewpoints within a broader theme.

FESTIVALS 
 

Create a documentary short on a topic or person of interest for film festival consideration..

 

We collaborate with executive producers trying to tell amazing stories through the power of film.

bottom of page