A Bishop’s Stortford filmmaker who wishes she had recorded her grandmother’s stories has launched a new business helping people preserve their memories, voices and life stories for future generations.
Esther McWatters, co-founder of Two Friends Films, says the idea was partly inspired by her own family experience.
“My granny was born in 1910 and had amazing memories of both World Wars, as well as the Swinging Sixties,” she said.
Esther McWatters
“I wish I had recorded her, because her voice and manner were so distinctive. I just can’t get that across to my own children who never met her.”
McWatters began her working life as a care worker before training as a broadcast journalist and going on to work for BBC Current Affairs, including on Panorama and This World. After years making documentaries and building trust with people in sensitive situations, she has turned those skills towards older people and families.
Together with fellow filmmaker and long-time friend Suzannah Wander, she founded Two Friends Films in 2025. The name reflects both their friendship and the relaxed feeling they want to create on camera: more like a conversation between friends than a formal interview.
Suzannah Wander
The company makes legacy films: personal documentaries made with individuals and families to capture memories, family history, life experiences and the stories people most want to pass on.
“Some people want to record their own story for their children and grandchildren,” said McWatters, the former head of communications and fundraising at Citizens Advice East Herts. “Others are families looking for a meaningful birthday, anniversary or retirement gift.
“But, really, it is about capturing someone’s voice, memories and personality – the things that make them uniquely themselves.”
The filming itself is intended to be an enjoyable and affirming experience – a chance to reflect, tell stories and feel truly listened to.
Two Friends Films creates personal documentaries made with individuals and families to capture memories, family history, life experiences and the stories people most want to pass on
One participant, Michael, said after filming: “Oh, I loved it. I could talk all day! You’d be running out of film!”
McWatters added: “These films are deeply personal. They bring pleasure in the moment, but they also preserve a person’s voice, humour and presence for the future.”
Two Friends Films also works with care settings and has experience filming sensitively with people living with dementia or nearing the end of life, shaping each film around the individual, their family and what feels right for them.
Filming is intended to be an enjoyable and affirming experience – a chance to reflect, tell stories and feel truly listened to
Find out more at www.twofriendsfilms.co.uk/legacy-films.