A full-circle moment: Moriah’s Hans Kimmel project introduces video documentary option
Sydney’s Moriah College is introducing an exciting new addition to the Hans Kimmel Project—a video documentary option, allowing students to capture their family members’ stories on film.
Michael Puterflam
Mentoring them through this process will be filmmaker and Storylast founder, Michael Puterflam, for whom this initiative holds deep personal significance.
Seventeen years ago, as a Year 10 student at Moriah, Michael made an unusual request: instead of writing an essay for his Hans Kimmel Project, he asked if he could create a documentary about his grandfather, Geron. It was a pivotal moment—not only for Michael but for his family.
“For the first time, my grandfather shared his story of surviving the Holocaust,” Michael recalls. “Without the Hans Kimmel Project, that might never have happened. His story could have been lost forever. But now, it lives on—anyone can watch it on YouTube just by searching his name.”
That experience sparked Michael’s passion for preserving life stories and ultimately led him to found Storylast.com, a business dedicated to documenting personal histories through film. Now, returning to Moriah as a mentor, he is guiding students as they create their own documentary-style projects, ensuring their family legacies are preserved for future generations.
“The most powerful part of this project isn’t just recording history—it’s capturing the essence of who these people are,” Michael says. “Their voices, their expressions, the way they tell their stories. That’s what makes this medium so special.”
With support from Moriah, students will now have the opportunity to document their family members’ experiences in a way that goes beyond words on a page. This evolution of the Hans Kimmel Project ensures that personal histories are not only told but seen, heard, and deeply felt.
For Michael, being part of this initiative is a full-circle moment. “Seventeen years ago, this project changed my life. Now, I get to help the next generation tell their own family stories. It’s an incredible privilege.”
