I Never Set Out to Be a Speaker - But Here We Are

Danika Armytage, Ignite 2025

If you’d told me two years ago that I’d be presenting and hosting workshops every other month, I would have been confused - to say the least.

When I launched Big Stories Little Films, the intention was simple: to make meaningful films for families, and to create flexible work so I could be present while my kids are still young.

Both of those things are happening - and I’m loving this chapter of my career more than any other.

The Unexpected Turn: Speaking & Workshops

What I didn’t anticipate was the speaking.

It’s been coming up a lot.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve found myself speaking to retirement groups, school students, business communities, and audiences at expos. Each group different. Each room bringing its own energy, stories, and questions.

More Than Filmmaking

Somewhere along the way, I realised I wasn’t just talking about what I do as a filmmaker.

I was teaching people how to see their own stories differently.

How to ask better questions - of the people they love, and of themselves.
How to see their story as meaningful, especially to those they love.
How to record what matters, before it’s gone.

And in the process, I discovered a genuine love of education.

(Which, in hindsight, feels obvious when I look at my own family story — both of my grandparents on my dad’s side were teachers. Maybe this was always in me.)

Film as an Educational Tool

What I’ve come to understand is that film isn’t just a creative medium.

It’s a powerful educational tool.

A way to distil a lifetime of experience into meaning. A way to see our stories through a new lens (pardon the pun). And most importantly, a way to connect generations.

With all of that in mind, I’m excited to share that we have two public workshops in the calendar - “Create Your own Memoir Film” on 29 March 2026, and “Record Your Grandparent’s Story on Film” Youth workshop on 9th April.

All the details for both events are on our new Events page.

I’d love to see you there - or your kids, or your parents.

Because our stories matter. And learning how to capture them might just be one of the most meaningful things we ever do.