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In the rainforests of Madagascar, vanilla offers hope to farmers hindered by the relentless tide of poverty and cyclones.
How will the women responsible for vanilla cultivation weather the storms that threaten their livelihoods?

VOICE OF VANILLA is an evocative documentary that transports viewers to the colorful and diverse island of Madagascar, the source of 80% of the world’s vanilla. This film shines a light on the intense challenges faced by women vanilla farmers as they contend with poverty and the harsh realities of climate change.

The documentary closely follows the lives of three extraordinary women farmers, each navigating complex roles as mothers, entrepreneurs, and custodians of an important agricultural tradition. Their stories are a testament to resilience and ingenuity in the face of an uncertain economic and environmental landscape.

VOICE OF VANILLA reveals the human stories behind the vanilla that flavors our favorite foods, highlighting the strength and perseverance of the women who cultivate it. Join us on this journey to discover the true essence of vanilla, far beyond its sweet scent and taste.

Join Us.

We are excited to collaborate with like-minded organizations and businesses on the worldwide release of VOICE OF VANILLA. Our objective is to engage audiences through a range of captivating campaigns:

  • Red carpet screenings at film festivals
  • Screenings & discussions at conferences, museums, botanical gardens, and schools
  • Community screenings with nonprofits and groups engaged in supporting women and developing-nation farmers
  • National television broadcast on PBS
  • Digital distribution on streaming platforms

Learn about how to Host Your Own Screening

Contribution are tax-deductible through the film’s 501c3 fiscal sponsor, From the Heart Productions.

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Who We Are.

We are an international team made up of filmmakers, journalists, scientists, and artists with decades of storytelling experience. Our goal is to uncover the forces preying upon vulnerable farmers, so that you can be certain the food you buy contributes to a fair, healthy, and equitable planet.

Gaelle Borgia is a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist. She’s been reporting from Madagascar for over 10 years. Born and raised in France, she started working as a journalist there, and in 2011, decided to start a new life in her origin country, Madagascar. Her dream job was working as a reporter in the field, traveling, and telling stories. She became a correspondent for major English and French speaking media, including New York Times, BBC, and France 24.

Maureen Lee Maloney, specializes in creating documentary content related to culture, science, and international issues. Her films have won numerous awards for social impact. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Madagascar, and has lived and filmed throughout Africa, South America, and Asia. Maureen holds an MSc in Biology and MA in Global Strategic Communications.

Samson Kaed was born and raised in the vanilla region of Antalaha, Madagascar. Currently he studies Communication in the capital city of Antananarivo. He founded the English Association of the Region SAVA, and has a lot of experience educating others, as a librarian for CLUE, a cultural facilitator at Peace Corps Madagascar, and many other companies.