Meet Piotr Niemczewski | Cinematographer & Documentary Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Piotr Niemczewski and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Piotr, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The idea for our business emerged very organically from the intersection of my life partner Wiktoria’s background and my own. Early on, we realized that our skills didn’t just complement each other – they naturally pointed toward a shared purpose: using visual storytelling to support global conservation efforts.

I am a cinematographer based primarily in Los Angeles, with extensive technical and artistic experience producing professional film projects and crafting impactful visual narratives. Wiktoria comes from a background in biology and environmental science, later studying graphic design and ultimately pursuing filmmaking through her master’s degree in Wildlife Documentary Production. That unique combination naturally drew us toward nature documentaries and the environmental issues they explore.

At the beginning, it wasn’t really about starting a business at all. We simply wanted to spend time together and create a short film that would shine a light on the infamous Los Angeles River. I was struck by the irony that one of the city’s most visible environmental problems exists directly outside the windows of Warner Bros., Universal, ABC, and Disney – yet no documentary had ever been made about it, in a city full of filmmakers. That project became Shadow of the River. When the film received unexpected interest from festivals, and we recognized how well we functioned as a creative team, we felt motivated to continue developing projects at a professional level.

Shortly afterward, while visiting Poland – our home country – we created another short documentary in collaboration with the Polish Society for the Protection of Birds. The film focused on the delicate process of translocating an endangered species to a new habitat. It was very well received and led to a long-term professional collaboration. We were soon commissioned to produce short films and campaign content for their conservation initiatives. That became our turning point. We realized that what we enjoyed doing together wasn’t just creatively fulfilling – it was impactful, specialized, and meaningful enough to evolve into a sustainable business.

What should our readers know about your business?
As we continued working with conservation organizations, a recurring issue became clear. There was a noticeable gap between the vital scientific work being done and the public those organizations were trying to reach. While the science was strong, communicating it clearly and engagingly was often a challenge.

We recognized that visual storytelling could bridge this gap. Many traditional production companies are not well suited to work with environmental NGOs, as these projects require a nuanced understanding of biology to communicate complex issues accurately and responsibly. At the same time, conservation organizations often lack the budgets to support large-scale commercial productions, and environmental films alone rarely generate sustainable income through traditional distribution.

This is where a small, highly specialized production company like ours proved effective. Wiktoria’s scientific background allows us to collaborate directly with researchers and conservationists, while my filmmaking experience ensures a consistently high production standard. Together, we focus on creating high-impact documentaries and campaigns with a minimal production footprint, using workflows specifically designed for filming in sensitive natural environments. To make this approach sustainable, we developed a hybrid business model with diversified income streams that does not rely solely on film sales or client budgets. This is how our company, RogiFilms, was born.

“Rogi,” means “antlers” in Polish, and from the beginning our brand identity has been closely tied to our fascination with Polish wildlife. However, for our most recent documentary project, we ventured far beyond Europe, traveling to the southernmost reaches of South America. We spent two weeks filming during winter in Argentinian Patagonia, working in harsh conditions alongside Freyja Foundation and Fundación Rewilding Argentina. Together, we produced a short documentary and a series of short-form videos focused on their rewilding efforts. The remote and visually distinctive location also enabled partnerships with film technology companies such as Atomos and DJI, as well as outdoor clothing brand Jack Wolfskin, helping offset production costs.

Despite significant logistical challenges, we completed the shoot with a three-person crew, working closely with local conservationists in the field. We documented species including pumas, condors, and guanacos while minimizing our footprint and avoiding any disturbance to their natural environment. The resulting film, Unfenced, has since screened at festivals in seven countries, won two awards for Best Cinematography, and secured distribution through two VOD platforms. It is currently being shown in 100 theaters across Poland as part of its Grand Off Film Festival winning prize.

Ultimately, starting our business was not about following a traditional entrepreneurial path. It grew from curiosity, shared values, and a willingness to learn by doing. What we have learned is that meaningful work often lives at the intersection of disciplines – and that small, focused teams can make a measurable impact when they understand both the story and the science behind it.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
If I had to give a shoutout to one person I owe both my professional and personal growth to, it would be my wife and partner in life and business, Wiktoria Ciesielska, who co-founded the company with me.

On a personal level, she has been a constant source of support and motivation since the moment I decided to leave Poland and pursue filmmaking in Los Angeles. Professionally, she’s the best creative collaborator I could imagine, bringing an exceptional depth of knowledge, perspective, and experience to every project we work on together. None of this would be possible without her.

Website: https://rogifilms.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/piotr.niem

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rogifilms/posts/?feedView=all