2023 San Diego Environmental Film Festival

Trees with Names (USA)

by Nick Weiss

When Rebecca's home was nearly incinerated by the Getty Fire in 2019, it left her afraid for her and her children's futures on planet Earth.    In Trees With Names, Rebecca assuages her fears by taking dramatic action to reforest her canyon and lead a new generation of children into an attitude of hope and climate optimism.

Disappearing Jewels (USA)

by Will Kim

Remembering the filmmaker's grandfather who was a blind man and walking weather forecast, Will Kim interviews ocean experts and brings his perspective on the impact of climate change and ocean warming.

Dot (Iran)

By Mohammad Zare

In the not-too-distant future, when depression and loneliness are rampant in modern lifestyles, human limbs have been bent by the extreme use of technological tools, and their field of vision has been limited to the digital screen in front of them. A young man who leads a regular and repetitive life, accidentally notices the beauty of nature and tries to see it again in 

The King of Birds (Russia)

by Daria Razumnikova

Little Andrey grows up in a family of ornithologists and also dreams of studying birds and their language. But one day he learns that the birds on Baikal are in danger.

The God Hidden in the Lake: The Achoque (Mexico)

by Victor Garcia

In the history of Mexico, the axolotl has been related to two of the most important civilizations: the Purépecha and the Mexica. In the Purépecha culture this animal is known as 'achoque' and has great cultural, artistic and economic importance for the region. This short documentary shows how this meaning helps to conserve this endan

Aloha El Dátil (Mexico)

By Michael Stewart

Aloha El Datíl, a new film by SeaTrees in collaboration with WILDCOAST, takes us along a journey through three languages, two cultures, and one incredible group of women in Baja California, who have taken the protection of their home into their own hands.   The story is narrated through the eyes of Hawaiian-born professional surfer and ROXY athlete Maluhia

6,000 miles (USA)

by Masha Karpoukhina

Through the experiences of NorCal paddler Kayla Lopez, viewers will get a first-hand look at her connection to her beloved "soul river", the Trinity River in Northwest California. Alongside Kayla, you'll meet Steve Evans, CalWild's Wild Rivers Director, who is working tirelessly to permanently protect California's rivers alongside U.S. Congressman Jared Huffma

Chicas al Agua (Chile)

by Liz McGregor

You can count the number of female paddlers in Futaleufú, Chile on one hand... and they want to change that. After many riverside matés and floating conversations, the idea to create a kayak course for local teenage girls was hatched. Thanks to a committed group of women from around the globe, what started as a dream is now an inspirational contribution to the 

Aquaverse (France)

by Justine Rauby

Aquaverse is a story about disappearance and the quest for a refuge. Through the dive of a half-human, half-machine character, the film raises a paradox attached to the deep sea: that of a tangible and real world, but considered less real than our new virtual worlds. The "Aquaverse" as a place not occupied by humanity is in fact a parallel world. The character doe

Ant|Arctic Women  (Antarctica, Poland, Svalbard)

by Kuba Witek 

“Ant|Arctic Women” shows untold stories of Polish female pioneers of polar research in the Arctic and Antarctic. Among them are expedition leaders and researchers with great achievements who have flourished in a male-dominated environment. They fearlessly wintered in bases and worked in the most difficult conditions. The results of the

UCSD - Fighting for Food Justice (USA)

by Steve Cachero & Klara Fejer

“You don’t have to be homeless to experience food insecurity.” Watch a colorful representation of our beautiful county and the resilient community it takes to sustain it. UCSD’s Center for Community Health is improving food access to low-income residents with their Urban Food Equity Program. Spreading the word about food insecuri

A Reflection of Life: Voices of our Youth (USA)

by Laronn Katchia

This short piece features Native youth voices and addresses the importance of  recognising that water is life. Filmed by Laronn Katcia, a Native filmmaker from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs who worked with youth from the Native American College Prep Program at Central Oregon Community College.

Winds of Change (USA)

by Lexi Elizabeth Addison

The offshore wind industry is expected to grow in coming years, sourcing a global market for renewable energy. The waters off Morro Bay have been sanctioned by The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) as a viable site for offshore wind development, considering the town’s existing electrical transmission capabilities. The introduction of an offshor

Living with Landslides (USA)

by Laure Quinlivan

This film documents the devastating costs of landslides to both private property owners and taxpayers, and offers solutions.  Climate change means landslides will only get worse.

Anxious (USA)

by Meron Alon

Noah is so worried about climate change he can't sleep at night. His wife Hali is confident it's all going to be just fine.   

Should they even have kids?! Should they sell their CA house and move to a colder Alaska? How does one plan for the end of the world...?

Raid on the Atlantic (Belgium, France, Senegal)

by Nicolas van Ingen

West African waters have been overexploited for more than 40 years, largely by foreign fleets from Europe, Russia and Asia. The collapse of fish stocks threatens fishermen and their families, an important part of Senegalese society.