A new documentary focusing on how climate change will affect the fragile ecosystem of the cloud forest of Panama.
In the narrowest strip of the isthmus of Panama, the jaguar struggles for territory as it battles the threats of deforestation, human encroachment, hunting and poaching. While conservationists work to protect the sanctity of the land, the Guna Yala, an indigenous people of Panama, move back to the region they call home to find safe harbor from the impacts of climate change, while ranchers deforest the land to make way for grazing.
The film will examine the intersection of conservation biology and environmental justice.
In the narrowest strip of the isthmus of Panama, the jaguar struggles for territory as it battles the threats of deforestation, human encroachment, hunting and poaching. While conservationists work to protect the sanctity of the land, the Guna Yala, an indigenous people of Panama, move back to the region they call home to find safe harbor from the impacts of climate change, while ranchers deforest the land to make way for grazing.
The film will examine the intersection of conservation biology and environmental justice.
Producer/Director
Matthew Podolsky is co-founder of the Wild Lens Collective, a non-profit that provides support for conservation storytellers. He has produced and directed several short documentaries, including the Emmy-nominated "Bluebird Man." Matthew was a co-director on the feature documentary "Sea of Shadows," which won the audience award in the World Documentary category at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and aired on National Geographic.
Matthew Podolsky is co-founder of the Wild Lens Collective, a non-profit that provides support for conservation storytellers. He has produced and directed several short documentaries, including the Emmy-nominated "Bluebird Man." Matthew was a co-director on the feature documentary "Sea of Shadows," which won the audience award in the World Documentary category at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and aired on National Geographic.
Producer/Director
Kristin Tièche is an award-winning filmmaker. Her storytelling provides viewers with deeply immersive and visceral experiences that intend to inspire action and transform minds. She has earned an international reputation as an environmental filmmaker and skilled documentary editor. She is known for her award-winning short films, including “Forms of Identification” (2011), “The Spinster” (2013 – Jury Prize, Boston Bike Film Festival 2014), “Velo Visionaries” (2015-2017), an award-winning web series about urban cycling, and “The Invisible Mammal: The Bat Rescuer” (2016 – second place, Animal Film Festival), a short film about bats that inspired her to expand the film into a feature documentary, currently in post-production. She has worked as a producer and editor on feature documentaries that include the Sundance Audience Award winning "Fuel" (2008), the PBS/Independent Lens film, "Power Paths" (2009), and festival winner, “Love Thy Nature” (2014). Kristin holds a Master of Arts in Television, Radio and Film from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, where she received awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in screenwriting and sound design. She also holds a certificate in Sustainability from City College of San Francisco.
Kristin Tièche is an award-winning filmmaker. Her storytelling provides viewers with deeply immersive and visceral experiences that intend to inspire action and transform minds. She has earned an international reputation as an environmental filmmaker and skilled documentary editor. She is known for her award-winning short films, including “Forms of Identification” (2011), “The Spinster” (2013 – Jury Prize, Boston Bike Film Festival 2014), “Velo Visionaries” (2015-2017), an award-winning web series about urban cycling, and “The Invisible Mammal: The Bat Rescuer” (2016 – second place, Animal Film Festival), a short film about bats that inspired her to expand the film into a feature documentary, currently in post-production. She has worked as a producer and editor on feature documentaries that include the Sundance Audience Award winning "Fuel" (2008), the PBS/Independent Lens film, "Power Paths" (2009), and festival winner, “Love Thy Nature” (2014). Kristin holds a Master of Arts in Television, Radio and Film from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, where she received awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in screenwriting and sound design. She also holds a certificate in Sustainability from City College of San Francisco.
Cinematographer
Sarinah Simons has been captivated by the beauty and resilience of the natural world. Born and raised in Southern California, she has experienced as much diversity in cultures and people, as she has in California’s unique biomes. She has been fond of wildlife and photography well into her college days, and finally found her passion in documentary filmmaking. Graduating with a BA in Media and Cultural Studies, Sarinah has worked for several years leading documentary workshops for high school students, as well as working as a podcast producer and editor for UCR ARTSblock. Sarinah currently works for California State Parks as a Park Interpretive Specialist, engaging with the public and inspiring stewardship for black bears and other wildlife in the Sierra Nevada, and is a producer and host of the Earth to Humans podcast.
Sarinah Simons has been captivated by the beauty and resilience of the natural world. Born and raised in Southern California, she has experienced as much diversity in cultures and people, as she has in California’s unique biomes. She has been fond of wildlife and photography well into her college days, and finally found her passion in documentary filmmaking. Graduating with a BA in Media and Cultural Studies, Sarinah has worked for several years leading documentary workshops for high school students, as well as working as a podcast producer and editor for UCR ARTSblock. Sarinah currently works for California State Parks as a Park Interpretive Specialist, engaging with the public and inspiring stewardship for black bears and other wildlife in the Sierra Nevada, and is a producer and host of the Earth to Humans podcast.