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Every Step Toward Survival
Pushes Their People Closer to Extinction.

The world admires the Maasai way of life, yet modern pressures force them to abandon it.
As individuals adapt to survive, their culture inches closer to disappearing forever.

 

About the Project

 

The Maasai Dilemma is a six-part documentary series that explores the complex and deeply personal struggle of the Maasai people in modern-day Kenya. Globally admired for their strength, culture, and vibrant traditions, the Maasai now face a critical question: how do they survive in a world that demands they change—when change means the loss of who they are?

Told through the eyes of different members of a single Maasai village, the series explores the roles and responsibilities that define their identity—from the young herders and devoted matriarchs to young women and revered elders. Each story reveals a personal struggle set against the broader reality: for the Maasai, survival may come at the cost of losing themselves.

 With cinematic visuals and deeply human stories, The Maasai Dilemma captures a people at a crossroads—and invites the viewer to question what progress really means when it erases the very cultures we claim to celebrate.

Why Your Support Matters 

Documentary filmmaking is a labor of love — and a major financial undertaking. Your contribution directly funds:

  • Field Production: Travel, crew, permits, and equipment to authentically capture life within the Maasai community.
  • Post-Production: Editing, sound design, color grading, and music to create a cinematic and emotional experience.
  • Distribution: Film festival submissions, marketing, and outreach to share this story with a global audience.

Every dollar raised will help ensure that The Maasai Dilemma reaches the widest audience possible — inspiring understanding, dialogue, and action. 

Our Goal

We are seeking to raise $130,000 to complete production and post-production. Your support — whether it’s $25, $250, or $2,500 — makes an immediate impact.

Together, we can give the Maasai people a platform to be heard before their voices are lost.

How You Can Help

  • Donate: Every gift, large or small, brings us closer to completion.

  • Share: Spread the word with your community and networks.

  • Partner: Organizations and individuals interested in larger contributions, co-producer opportunities, or sponsorships, please contact us directly.

Support a film that honors a culture at a crossroads — before it’s too late.

 Your support helps us share a powerful story of resilience, identity, and cultural survival.

 

Fiscal Sponsorship

The Maasai Dilemma is now fiscally sponsored, making all donations 100% tax-deductible. This partnership allows us to accept contributions through The Funding Studio, a registered nonprofit, ensuring your support goes directly toward the production of the film while offering you the benefits of charitable giving. Every dollar brings us closer to telling this urgent and powerful story—thank you for being part of the journey.

A Reality Unseen:  Journey to a Maasai Village

In 2021, Chris traveled to Kenya as a cinematographer for an NGO, eager to witness the Maasai way of life firsthand. Like many, he had seen documentaries and read about their proud traditions, resilience, and deep connection to the land. The image painted by these stories was one of vibrant cultural preservation — a people standing strong in the face of modernity. But what he encountered in that small Maasai village was a stark contrast to the romanticized portrayals he had seen before.

 

That trip changed his perspective entirely. It sparked a deep commitment to tell the real story of the Maasai — one of struggle, resilience, and an uncertain future in a world that no longer makes space for them.

The Maasai Dilemma is an intimate documentary exploring the reality facing the Maasai people today — a community caught between survival and extinction. As the modern world presses in, the Maasai must adapt — but every step forward threatens to erase their traditions, identity, and way of life.

Through powerful storytelling and access to the community, this film will shed light on the difficult choices the Maasai face — and the cultural cost of survival.

From the effects of climate change that threaten their pastoral way of life, to the difficult and often controversial conversations around women’s rights within a traditionally patriarchal society, to the growing pressure of land displacement as governments claim ancestral territory for national parks — The Maasai Dilemma goes beyond surface-level observation to reveal the layered complexities of change.

About the Filmmaker 

Chris Tinard is a passionate storyteller who thrives on every aspect of the filmmaking process — from producing and interviewing to directing and editing. For Chris, great storytelling is about capturing something real, something that touches hearts and leaves a lasting impact. He believes deeply in the power of authenticity as he puts it, “Without emotion, all we do is scream into the wind.”

Originally from the suburbs of Paris, France, Chris moved to the United States in 1992 to pursue his dream of playing college basketball. In 1993, he earned a full athletic scholarship to Montana State University – Billings. After completing his college career, he returned to France to play professionally throughout Europe.

In 2000, a trip to Arizona changed the course of his life — it’s where he met his wife, Julie. It was love at first sight, and he never left. Today, they share life with their four incredible children — each one strong, passionate, and full of life.

Chris launched OrangeScreen Productions in 2004 and has since served a wide range of clients across industries — from nonprofits and educational institutions to major brands and broadcast networks. Over the years, he has worked on everything from TV commercials and branded content to documentaries and live broadcasts. While his experience spans many formats, his heart will always belong to documentaries, where authentic stories and human connection take center stage.

Over the years, Chris has received multiple awards for his work and has been nominated three times for a Rocky Mountain Emmy Award. While the recognition is appreciated, it’s the impact of the stories — and the people behind them — that continues to fuel his passion.

3X Rocky Mountain
Emmy Nominee
Multiple Telly
Award Winner
Multiple
Communicator Award Winner