Short Film - Organic Trinitario Cocoa

What is this about?

Hello! I’m Denise and I not only love photography but I am also a storytelling enthusiast. After graduating with a Master of Sustainable Entrepreneurship at the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen in The Netherlands, I pursued my dream of traveling to the other side of the globe and getting involved in a project about Fine Trinitario Cocoa to learn about the farmers and processors involved in the Organic Tinitario Cocoa and Chocolate Foundation (OTC) and to tell their very unique stories. I spent much time in the field, got to know the farmers, the chocolatiers, and their very individual contexts, and was mesmerized by the beauty of Trinitario Cocoa and how little was known about it on a global scale... and suddenly, a far-fetched dream became reality and we produced a short film about Trinitario Cocoa, all in an attempt to protect a crop that might be endangered to go extinct – Theobroma Cocoa, also called the fruit of the gods.

Cocoa cultivation is facing enormous challenges, not only in terms of environmental forces, climate change, pollution, changing climate patterns, and associated pests but also socially. Farming is becoming less attractive to people of my age, and the older heads left may leave an abandoned cocoa estate behind. But what if this was not the only way to go? What if there are indeed already farming communities around that show a different direction, who shows what is possible, and how deeply fulfilling it can be to be connected to our mother earth’s soil?

This short documentary shall lighten up sparks of inspiration, bringing forward solutions to spaces that are grounded in generating value, socially, environmentally, and economically for farmer communities that need it most. Some of these solutions are as simple as tapping into ancestral knowledge that has always been around, some others require a shift in mindset to understand contextual circumstances and foresee the bigger picture of how certain practices may impact cocoa and its larger ecosystem...

Through your contribution, we are not only able to produce this beautiful piece of art and empower the voices of our protagonists, but we also hope to stimulate a movement across Trinidad and Tobago and the world - to inspire people to connect to their land and appreciate its beauty.

Together with a fantastic crew, we traveled across the island to capture content on a 16mm analog camera, indulging in mesmerizing spaces, withstanding swarms of mosquitos and rain flies, walking up and down steep hills, and embracing the uncertainty of the rainy season. Be a part of our movement to create a happier and healthier tomorrow. The time is now.

The Film Crew

Director: Denise Speck (@bydenisespeck)

Co-director and cinematographer: Oliver Milne (@olliethemilne)

Camera assistant: Dylan Quesnel (@dylan_q)

Sound recordist: Jelanie Serrette (@jelaniserrette)

What We Need

Together we are stronger. This is why we ask you to support us and fundraise for our passion project about Trinitario Cocoa. Your support will help us to cover costs like: the production and processing of analog film rolls at a film lab in NY, crew labor costs, music compositions, sound edits, marketing, outreach, and many other things... the list is long, but we really believe that we can make this happen with your support!

What You Get

To support the production of our short film we will share our eternal gratitude and love with you. But we ain't stop here - we want you to experience the journey of Trinitario Cocoa, from tree to bar. We want you to be part of this movement to foster regenerative agriculture in the cocoa space.

Let's together create a positive impact on cocoa farmers, young people, chocolatiers, consumers, the soil, and our mother earth.

Other Ways You Can Help

No matter how much you can give, we appreciate every single effort and cent to realize this short film. But hey, no contribution doesn’t mean you cannot help… please get the word out and make some noise about our campaign, share the campaign with your friends, share it with your family, and share it with your network.

Thank you so, so much!

Love, light, and gratitude to you,

Your Film Crew