about us
The San Diego Environmental Film Festival (SDEFF) is a registered 501c3 nonprofit created to inspire and effect social change through the mediums of film, art and storytelling. We hope you join us to build a community working together to learn, inspire, and act to effect change.
our story
A Passion Project Comes to Life
Well, we are not like other film festival organizers. Our team is made up of scientists and policymakers with a big vision to inspire fun, creativity, and action in the environmental, conservation, and artistic space. In fact, each of us have had our share of working in the field: collecting water quality samples, monitoring coral reefs in the ocean water, developing policy to establish marine protected areas off our coast, and so much more. But, we knew that there is more.
We came together because we believed that it takes a big, big village to help make things happen. We need our community to come together and share in the story of creating positive impact. We believe our community has the power to do an immense amount. What if it all starts with a good story at the movies.
Building Art and Impact Together
The purpose of SDEFF is to inspire awe, engagement, and social change between people and our natural environment. Our mission is to curate an artistic, educational experience that uses film to bring people together, facilitate knowledge exchange, and effect social change.
We are thrilled to create a unique, inclusive and representative film festival focused on people, air, water and land, which all contribute to the long-term biodiversity of our planet. We hope to bring together diverse audiences and filmmakers to curate an artistic, educational experience that inspires action and positive impact.
Building Community for the Future of Our Planet
The San Diego Environmental Film Festival offers a platform for filmmakers from around the globe to present creative ideas, talent, and skills in service to the planet. We will amplify unheard stories, highlight emerging talent, enhance access to unique content, provide new opportunities for learning, and build community within and outside San Diego.
The films showcased by SDEFF will spark curiosity and inspire on-the-ground actions by new audiences
SDEFF 2023 Official Judges
The San Diego Environmental Film Festival 2023 Official Judges are a group of talented individuals who dedicate their time to reviewing films for their creativity, innovation and impact to our community. Our judges have a diverse background from scientists, business owners, and filmmakers. We are laser focused to bring films that tell a moving story that inspires each of us to act.
our people
Cindy J Lin, President, Board Chair, Founder
Cindy J Lin, President, Board Chair, Founder
Cindy J Lin, President, Board Chair, Founder
Lindsay Bauman, Exec Dir, Board, Founder
Cindy J Lin, President, Board Chair, Founder
Cindy J Lin, President, Board Chair, Founder
Sean Harris, Board
Cindy J Lin, President, Board Chair, Founder
Erika Rodriquez, Committee
Erika Rodriquez, Committee
Erika Rodriquez, Committee
Erika Rodriquez, Committee
Corey Cleary Stoner, Judge
Erika Rodriquez, Committee
Corey Cleary Stoner, Judge
Angel Morris, Judge
Erika Rodriquez, Committee
Corey Cleary Stoner, Judge
Lauren Martin, Judge
Andrea Sanchez Davidson, Founder
Lauren Martin, Judge