2025 SDEFF Film Synopsis

 As California sea lions reclaim space on the iconic shores of La Jolla Cove, they've reignited decades of debate over who belongs and what it takes to peacefully coexist. La Jolla Locals plunges into the daily reality of local interspecies encounters, exploring the tensions, community, and the search for balance in La Jolla Cove.
  As California sea lions reclaim space on the iconic shores of La Jolla Cove, they've reignited decades of debate over who belongs and what it takes to peacefully coexist. La Jolla Locals plunges into the daily reality of local interspecies encounters, exploring the tensions, community, and the search for balance in La Jolla Cove.
Turn on screen reader supportTo enable screen reader support, press Ctrl+Alt+Z To learn about keyboard shortcuts, press Ctrl+slashSDEFF Org has left the document.You can only view this document. To make changes, ask the owner for edit access. 

In "Wilding" we embark on a fascinating journey into the creation of a wildflower meadow, an ambitious project in the heart of the city of Oeiras where the City Council is aiming to counter the decline of pollinators in the estate of one of the most powerful and controversial ministers in the history of Portugal: Marques de Pombal.
As a dedicated team of biologists brings this wildflower meadow to life, the film uncovers other captivating moments. From capturing a barn owl residing in a historic building, symbolising urban wildlife resilience, to a biologist’s effort to foster a special bond with "his" wild bees at home, while planning to reintroduce them to the new meadow. 
The documentary delves into the challenges confronted by this team as they repurpose the Marques' property, shedding light on their own personal growth and perspectives regarding green spaces in urban environments. 
“Wilding” paints a vivid portrait of a city shaped by the legacy of Marques de Pombal’s agricultural vision and the power of collective action, urging viewers to reflect on the possibilities of harmonising urban development with the natural world within their own communities. 

Across the United States, nearly 2.2 million people lack safe or affordable water in their homes. Another 1.7 million lack proper sanitation systems. Through the stories of communities fighting for safe, affordable water and sanitation in drastically different regions of the country, Whose Water examines the how the erosion of democracy prevents millions of people from accessing this basic necessity of life, and offers concrete solutions to address this unprecedented human rights crisis. 

THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST is a wild and unforgettable journey down the mighty Colorado River.  Narrated by Indigenous environmentalist Quannah Chasinghorse, the film beautifully showcases the region’s abundant wildlife, confronts the ecological impacts of dams and river depletion, and boldly advocates for increased water and wildlife conservation.  The Fin and Fur Films production travels through legendary landscapes from the viewpoint of some of the Southwest’s most charming characters… such as wetland-building beavers, bugling bull elk, and desert-adapted rattlesnakes.  Made in association with Natives Outdoors, THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST highlights the region’s deep cultural history and the crucial need to better manage the river for both wildlife and society to thrive.
The film will release in theaters across the Southwest on September 5th 2025 followed by a digital release on October 11th.  

In a remote coastal village in Mozambique, where the ocean is both a lifeline and a force of nature, one young man dares to rewrite the narrative of his community. Peixinho is an inspiring tale of resilience and transformation, following the journey of a local hero as he bridges generations and redefines what it means to live in harmony with the sea.

Peixinho dives deep into the heart of tradition and progress. Witness how one man's mission to teach children to swim and be safer in the water ripples through the community, saving lives and sparking hope. As he unravels the secrets of the ocean through his research, he also challenges outdated fishing practices, guiding the older generation toward sustainable solutions that honor the sea's fragile balance. 

In the late 1970s, Satish Bhaskar embarked on an epic journey along India's coastlines and the spectacular Andaman and Nicobar islands, where he uncovered the vital nesting beaches of sea turtles. During his death-defying quest, he unravels mysteries surrounding these enigmatic ocean creatures – and sets out to save them from extinction. After a devastating tsunami strikes in 2004, Bhaskar grapples with a pressing question: What happens to sea turtles when their nesting beaches disappear? 

THE LITTLE THINGS THAT RUN THE WORLD introduces viewers to a diverse group of scientists, nature lovers, gardeners, farmers, and general bug enthusiasts in exploring the importance of flying insects amid rapid declines in their numbers.  This most numerous group of animals on the planet by far - three quarters of all species - have also been called the “glue of life” on Earth.  They literally hold ecosystems together.  Insects were the first animals to evolve flight nearly 440 million years ago, and they survived all five of the known mass extinctions since then.  But, there is evidence that the pace of decline among insects in parts of the world today is fast approaching the levels of previous catastrophes.  What this means for the rest of life on Earth, including humans, is the focus of THE LITTLE THINGS THAT RUN THE WORLD.  The film documents the mysteries of the declines along side creative and heroic human efforts to change the course of evolutionary history.  What is causing this extinction crisis?  What can be done to reverse the trend?  THE LITTLE THINGS THAT RUN THE WORLD attempts to find answers to those questions and more. 

In 1972, married biologists George Hunt and Molly Warner make an unprecedented discovery while studying seagulls on one of California’s Channel Islands. To their surprise, a great number of the nesting pairs they observe are both female.George and Molly’s research on “lesbian seagulls” quickly triggers both outrage and jubilation in a nation grappling with the rise of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and it threatens to tear apart their own relationship. 

Over the past fifty years, four federal dams impounding the Lower Snake River in Washington State have been identified as the root cause for the demise of all of Idaho’s anadromous fish.  "The Snake and the Whale" reveals the corrupt deals behind the dams' construction and the subsequent campaigns to hide their role in this ongoing ecological disaster.  Additionally, the dams have profoundly impacted a group of Killer Whales off the coast of Washington, known as the Southern Resident Orca, which rely on Snake River salmon as a primary food supply.  These majestic creatures are now atop the Endangered Species list. 

Portrait of a Seaweed Farmer: Ana Borrero, PhD, follows a Spanish marine scientist who leaves behind a high-stress academic career to cultivate something far more sustainable—seaweed and a life in balance. Now working in coastal Norway, Ana channels her scientific expertise into growing an industry poised to combat climate change through regenerative farming. With humor, heart, and humility, Ana reflects on her journey from a microscope-loving child to working mother of two, driven by both environmental urgency and a desire to be present for her young family. A deeply personal look at how one woman found meaning, and a future, beneath the surface.  
This film is part of a series funded by a grant from World Wildlife Fund, created to spotlight individuals leading the charge in ocean restoration and sustainable livelihoods. The two other films in the series are available to screen as well. You can view the films at the links below:
 

This documentary uncovers the complex journey of secondhand vehicle exports between the United States and Mexico—a trade that profoundly influences mobility, economics, and the environment in both nations. With approximately 1.4 million vehicles crossing the border annually, many of them introduced informally and colloquially referred to as "carros chocolate", these cars become indispensable to daily life in Mexico while sparking critical questions about long-term sustainability.

The film draws from original fieldwork by Francisco Parés Olguín, conducted as part of his graduate research on the U.S.–Mexico used vehicle trade. 

Over the past fifty years, four federal dams impounding the Lower Snake River in Washington State have been identified as the root cause for the demise of all of Idaho’s anadromous fish.  "The Snake and the Whale" reveals the corrupt deals behind the dams' construction and the subsequent campaigns to hide their role in this ongoing ecological disaster.  Additionally, the dams have profoundly impacted a group of Killer Whales off the coast of Washington, known as the Southern Resident Orca, which rely on Snake River salmon as a primary food supply.  These majestic creatures are now atop the Endangered Species list. 

Maine is home to the nation's first registered Seaweed and Shellfish Aquaculture Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programs. "Tending the Tides" follows the journeys of the young people participating in these programs as they build meaningful careers on the water. Through hands-on training and dedicated mentorship, these future sea farmers are gaining the skills and experience they need to succeed in Maine’s growing aquaculture industry—while helping to sustain and strengthen the state’s working waterfronts. 

In 2023, Théo and Yohan, two students, engage in discussions about today’s challenges. They observe, reflect, and question. Torn between concern and hope, one question keeps coming up: why do Scandinavian countries seem to succeed more than others in protecting the environment and cutting carbon emissions? Why them and not us? Is it really true? Driven by curiosity, they embark on a train journey to these northern countries in search of ideas and inspiration.

Their adventure is filled with encounters: NGOs, researchers, government officials, citizens, and more. They dive into various topics, from energy mixes to governance systems, legislation, and international commitments. With a systematic and thoughtful approach, they seek to understand how these countries have managed to make the environment a political priority. 

Something in the Water follows a daring scientific expedition deep into the heart of Greenland's melting ice sheet. A multidisciplinary team of researchers and explorers embarks on a journey across remote and perilous terrain to study supraglacial lakes, mysterious bodies of water that form on the surface of the ice sheet and can drain in a matter of hours. As they battle extreme weather, isolation, and the clock of climate change, the team gathers rare data that may help predict the future of our planet. Combining raw human adventure with cutting-edge science, the film captures both the fragility and the resilience of our planet, and the people working to understand it before it’s too late. 

It's time to get beauty schooled. PRETTY UGLY is an investigative documentary that uncovers the ugly truth about toxic chemicals in personal products and cosmetics. Motivated by her mother’s breast cancer journey, Andrea, the filmmaker, journeys across the United States on a quest for answers about cosmetic ingredient safety. National leaders in public policy, environmental health, and the beauty industry reveal what the cosmetics industry is hiding in plain sight--harmful ingredients and their knowns risks to human health.