Documentaries • Storytelling • Impact Films
Storytelling That Inspires Change
At Bending River Films, we create impactful documentaries that illuminate diverse perspectives, foster connection, and create change.
Our Mission
Filmmakers Keith Famie and Mark Salloum’s mission is to produce impactful documentary films which explore human experiences, foster empathy, and inspire change. We focus on authentic storytelling to illuminate diverse perspectives and spark meaningful conversations, aiming to shape a more compassionate world.
Through every project, we strive to go beyond surface-level narratives, uncovering the stories that often remain untold. Our films are designed not only to inform but also to create emotional connections that lead to understanding and action. By collaborating with communities, subject matter experts, and partners who share our vision, we ensure that the voices in our films are represented with honesty and respect.
Exploring the human experience through film
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Cultural Explorations
Uncovering traditions, voices, and experiences that deepen understanding.
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Human Journeys
Stories of resilience, loss, and triumph that connect us all.
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History & Heritage
Documenting moments and movements that shaped generations.
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Social Issues
Tackling urgent challenges with empathy and clarity.
Current stories in production
A Salute to our WWII Generation
Filmmakers Mark Salloum and Keith Famie are joining forces with their new studio, Bending River Films. This film will be one of their first projects together, as it pays tribute to the brave men and women who served our country during World War II. The film takes audiences on a journey starting from the youthful days of these veterans, whether they grew up on city streets or country farms. It follows their transition to the battlefields and communications rooms where they played crucial roles in the war effort. The narrative continues to explore the challenges and triumphs veterans faced upon returning home and adjusting to civilian life.
Laid To Rest
In 2025, award-winning filmmakers Keith Famie and Mark Salloum will work to tell the stories of some of Michigan’s 3,000 cemeteries through a series of episodes on Detroit PBS.
Here in Michigan, we have cemeteries dating back to the 17th century when our Native American Ottawa Tribe created a sacred area for their loved ones. As time went on, the location was shared with European settlers when they moved to the area.
All Aboard! The Great Lakes Train History
We may be midway through the Space Age, with our sights set on sending humans to Mars, but back on earth, the mystique of trains is still going strong. No launchpad show has ever quite duplicated the magic of steam blasting from a smokestack, the clang of bells at a whistle stop or the creak of heavy metal as a train leaves the station to power off into history.
Filmmakers Producer/Directors Keith Famie and Mark Salloum are proud to announce All Aboard ! The Great Lakes Train History, a film that captures the romance and amazement of train travel while celebrating the history of an irreplaceable artery that has moved Michigan’s people and mobilized her manufacturing through three centuries.
All Aboard! The Great Lakes Train History
In the 2026 Detroit PBS film, Detroit: The City of Chefs III will explore the world of vegetarianism and veganism.
The vegetarian story will be driven by the rich agricultural bounty that Michigan has to offer the chef community. In the spirit of better understanding how in-depth our rich growing seasons are, we will feature chefs working closely with the farming community to better understand the significance of the term “farm to table”. We will learn why Detroit is one of the cities leading the way nationally with urban farming and how this has great benefits to the local communities.
Help us share untold stories
Your support makes it possible to produce films that inform, inspire, and initiate change.
Every contribution fuels our ability to reach new audiences and honor the stories that deserve to be heard.