AFTER making a short film of his grandma telling her life stories for the family, Simon Cunich launched his startup Heirloom Films to offer the same opportunity to other families who want to preserve their loved ones’ stories and memories.

“My grandma Lesley was diagnosed with dementia a couple of years ago, and although we had talked for a long time as a family about trying to capture her stories, with the diagnosis it felt more urgent,” he says.

Documentary maker Simon says he decided to interview his grandmother, collected old family photos and home videos, and produced a short film.

“The whole family fell in love with the film, and it became like a family heirloom,” he says. “It’s special because it’s her stories, told by her, for the family.

“The feedback I got was that there’s a much wider need to do that because too many stories are just lost.”

Simon says his grandma told stories he had never heard before, including one that he particularly loved about her dad promising to buy her a watch if she ever got first in her class.

“When she did eventually come first, she recalls her dad meeting her at the school gate and taking her to the shops to get her first watch,” he says.

“It would have happened close to 80 years ago, and it’s just a small slice of life but she can recall it with such emotion and such detail. I think it’s just beautiful.”

Simon says the films, of which he’s made about a dozen, capture a visual memory or essence of the person.

“It’s a privilege to be given access to someone’s stories and to be trusted to record them and shape them into a film,” he says.

“In terms of future-proofing these stories, it makes sense to use film so families can share it on Facebook and all the grandkids and cousins can see it, too.”

Having studied at AFTRS (Australian Film, Television and Radio School) in Sydney, focusing on documentaries, Simon has recently won awards for his documentary “Maratus” about a garbage collector who accidentally discovered a new species of spider, including the top prize at last year’s Stronger Than Fiction documentary film festival.

He says that while Heirloom is different to what he’s done in the past, in other ways it’s just a continuation of finding stories to tell.

“I love the insight I get into people’s lives, understanding what’s important to people and hearing so many diverse and fascinating experiences,” he says.

“It’s wonderful to be able to make something for a family and to see their reaction when they watch it.

“It’s so rewarding to know that it is going to be treasured.”

Prices start from $1500. Visit heirloomfilms.com.au or call 1300 082010.