Alex Arjoon ’11 is the founder of Reel Guyana, a documentary film company launched alongside his sister and business partner, Victoria, that captures their home country of Guyana’s culture, heritage, and environmental challenges. Reel Guyana has partnered with UNESCO, Conservation International, and the Ministry of Education, and has expanded to offer marketing, video production, and social media services for corporate clients including HBO, CNBC, and National Geographic. 

Since graduating from Franklin & Marshall College, where he studied Business, Organizations, and Society, and was a standout member of the squash team, Arjoon has traveled across the length and breadth of Guyana—much of it inaccessible by roads—to document its people, landscapes, and stories.

His latest documentary, Releasing the Giants, follows the Indigenous community of Apoteri as they rescue endangered giant arapaimas stranded by low water levels.

What inspired you to start a production company documenting Guyana’s natural landscape?
I spent much of my childhood traveling with my mother, who is an environmentalist and sea turtle conservationist, and I was exposed to many powerful stories—especially in Guyana’s rural communities—that many Guyanese never get to see. I felt compelled to share that side of the country.

My early work focused on climate change and rising sea levels. Guyana sits about six feet below sea level, and much of our population and infrastructure are along the coast. I documented vulnerable coastal areas using my camera and drone, witnessing firsthand how high tides and strong winds overtopped seawalls, and this became my first feature documentary, Coast Land. Now, my work includes ecotourism, socioeconomic conflicts in remote regions, and conservation efforts around our national animal, the arapaima. Having some of this work recognized internationally has been incredibly meaningful and something I’m very proud of.

What environmental challenges in Guyana have you highlighted through your films?
Guyana is a country that has very recently begun producing oil, and as a result, we’ve seen rapid development over the past few years. While development brings opportunity, it also comes with serious trade-offs that aren’t always fully considered. Through my films, I aim to offer a meaningful perspective on how we can preserve our culture, environment, and social fabric amid these rapid changes. It’s important to me that Guyanese remember where we came from and who we are—because those things may look very different in the years ahead if we’re not intentional about protecting them.

Franklin & Marshall’s squash team reached No. 4 in the nation during your junior year. How has your athletic background shaped your approach to running a business?
Squash played a huge role in developing the skills I rely on today. Communication is one of the most important lessons I took away. Being honest and transparent with colleagues, even when conversations are difficult, builds trust and keeps everything running efficiently.

The sport also pushed me into leadership. Knowing that I’m responsible for the success or failure of my business, and that my decisions directly impact others, makes the work feel much more meaningful. It’s no longer just about me—it’s about the team and the community we’re serving.

How did your time at Berkshire influence your path into filmmaking and media production?

I didn’t fully recognize it at the time, but Berkshire planted the seeds for my creative journey. I took a digital music class where we created beats using Logic Pro, and although I had to drop it due to scheduling conflicts with my AP classes, it opened my eyes to creative possibilities. I later took a Photoshop class, which further pulled me into that world. At the time, these felt like casual elective courses, but in hindsight, they were incredibly important. They sparked a creativity that I hadn’t been able to express before, and I’m grateful for that exposure. 

What are your fondest memories of Berkshire?
There are so many. Watching the leaves change in the fall, laughing until we cried during rec soccer, community dinners, long conversations with my roommate Mike Kutzer ’11, countless hours training in the gym for squash, and opening my college acceptance letter.

At the time, those moments felt ordinary, but looking back, they meant everything. I’m deeply thankful to Berkshire for the opportunity to attend and for shaping who I am today. I also want to recognize my mentors, Andrew Bogardus and Jasper Turner, who went out of their way to make me feel like I belonged, and offer a special shoutout to Dr. Adam Kohlhepp.