2024 Lineup

The Beauty Between follows Mary Anne Karren who, through her passion for wildlife photography, unexpectedly fell in love with the Great Salt Lake’s unique landscape and the 10 million birds that rely on it. She now uses her photography to bring attention to the lake’s dire situation in an attempt to save it. By Austin Smock, Asher Brown, Paradox Post, Drew Tekulve, Michael Stone, and Brittany Schultz.

Toxic Art. On a mission to clean up Ohio’s leaking, abandoned coal mines, Ohio University Art Professor John Sabrah teamed up with an engineer to develop a process that turns the toxic runoff pollution into paint. John’s artwork has been shown all over the world and proceeds have helped numerous environmental organizations and projects, including a new water treatment plant on the Sunday Creek Watershed. By Jason Whalen, Mark Stewart Iverson, Kate Richter Green, Zachary Green, and Clif Briley.

I Am the Nature is a poetic documentary honoring the philosophy and cultural expression of the Achuar people from the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador. Narrated by Chumpí Washikiat, a local leader, the movie dives into the insights of a man who has walked between worlds, echoing ideas of unity, empathy and harmony. By Taliesin Black-Brown, Ramiro Vargas Chumpí Washikiat, Helena Sardinha, and Rafael Thomaseto.

Healing Hiłsyaqƛis. Hiłsyaqƛis (Tranquil Creek) is located within the traditional territory of the Tla‐o‐qui‐aht First Nation in Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia. The sharp decline in wild Pacific salmonids in this watershed is not well understood and has sparked research, monitoring and habitat a restoration initiatives to address knowledge gaps and restore habitat in hopes of fostering a the recovery of wild fish populations within the Tranquil Watershed and contribute to the broader recovery of wild pacific salmon. The project was initiated in 2016 and is a direct partnership between Redd Fish and the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. By Mark Wyatt.

African Voices for Africa’s Forests. Ewi Lamma, a young climate activist from Cameroon, has committed her life and work to changing the status quo by working with local communities, women, and youth. Her work is inspiring people to speak up and take part in local decision-making while protecting the environment and Indigenous knowledge. Produced by the African Climate Reality Project and ReWild Africa.

Mussel Grubbing. Following a citizen scientist’s journey of discovery, the film explores the treasure hunt for finding freshwater mussels in the upper Sangamon River. Everyday people in Illinois are supporting science in ways that are important to the well-being of their local environment. Finding a diverse collection of healthy mussels means a healthy river, which in turn means healthy people in the community. By Jason Lindsey.

Birds on the Brink. More than 50 species of honeycreepers once filled the forests and mountains of Hawai’i with their songs. Now, only 17 species remain, with some placed at risk of extinction within the next few years. Avian malaria, primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, poses the most significant threat. The Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project is implementing a mosquito control technique to reduce mosquito populations, offering a lifeline for native birds and a chance to raise their next generation. This approach offers an opportunity to not only protect Hawaiian honeycreepers but also serve as a beacon for preserving biodiversity worldwide. By HHMI Tangled Bank Studios.

Owyhee Canyonlands Postcard. The Owyhee Canyonlands are a vast, intact ecosystem home to hundreds of bird species, mule deer, pronghorn, lizards and reptiles, and myriad plants and insects. Due to its remoteness, it boasts some of the darkest night skies in the lower 48. The region is the ancestral homeland of the Northern Paiute, Bannock, and Shoshone peoples. This film features people who know this region intimately and want to see it protected, including Wilson Wewa, a Northern Paiute elder and traditional knowledge keeper, Julie Weikel, a retired large animal veterinarian and longtime Owyhee advocate, Karly Foster, former Owyhee Campaign Manager with the Oregon Natural Desert Association, and Tim Davis, the founder and executive director of the Friends of the Owyhee. Each speaker shares their connection to this landscape, in addition to details about the Owyhee and what makes it the greatest conservation opportunity in the country. By the Center for Western Priorities.

Mount St. Helens: A Fire Within is a captivating documentary that explores the profound impact of the 1980 eruption on the landscape and human lives. Through interviews with individuals connected to the mountain, the film tells a story of transformation, showcasing the mountain’s beauty before the eruption, the devastation that followed, and the ongoing regeneration. With stunning visuals and personal narratives, it invites viewers to reflect on their own relationship with Mt. St. Helens and the power of nature’s forces. By Rory Banyard.

JoJo – A Toad Musical celebrates a creative and musical portrait of JoJo Nyaribo, a young nature lover and wildlife advocate as he explores the meaning of biodiversity and stewardship in his own backyard. By Chelsea Jolly and David Herasimtschuk.

Paddle Tribal Waters. When the largest dam removal project in history begins, a group of indigenous youth learn to whitewater kayak in hopes of becoming the first people to paddle the restored river from source to sea. With jaw-dropping aerial cinematography and moving storytelling, Paddle Tribal Waters is a fully immersive experience, showcasing the unbreakable bond between people and their ancestral lands. The film gives viewers a bird’s eye view as an unforgettable group of young people training for the adventure of a lifetime. By Rush Sturges and Paul Robert Wolf Wilson.

Nanoscapes. Images of butterfly wings at the microscopic scale are stunning, and at the nanoscopic scale they become otherworldly. Shot at two cutting edge research labs, the images in Nanoscapes were taken with light and electron microscopes at magnifications up to 50,000x. The elaborate nanoscopic topography of butterfly wings has produced a wealth of data on how structural coloration works, and Nanoscapes is an artistic rendering of exciting new research focused on how butterflies actually build these remarkable, infinitesimal landscapes. By Kristina Dutton, Arnaud Martin, Brandon McFarland, Nate Kinsella, and Nipam Patel.