Features a pre-recorded filmmaker discussion.

Explores the variance between renowned Filipino environmental advocate Mitzi Jonelle Tan's experiences with the direct impacts of climate change, and the filmmaker's own seemingly far-removed relationship to the issue. The piece also reflects on the cultural identity of the filmmaker, a Filipino-American, and the feeling of dissonance between their Asian heritage and American culture.

My Vulnerable Country

Explores the variance between renowned Filipino environmental advocate Mitzi Jonelle Tan's experiences with the direct impacts of climate change, and the filmmaker's own seemingly far-removed relationship to the issue.

In the farmland of eastern England, a search-and-rescue mission is underway. A team is working to excavate land haunted by ghosts… but these are not ordinary ghosts...these are ghost ponds. Norfolk used to have a record number of ponds, but modern-day farming is burying England’s wetlands at an exponential rate. With a looming biodiversity crisis, a grassroots movement is reviving farmland ponds as an unexpected last hope to reverse biodiversity loss and protect freshwater wildlife. Will it be the smallest changes that can make the biggest difference?

Ghost Ponds

Norfolk used to have a record number of ponds, but modern-day farming is burying England’s wetlands at an exponential rate.

With only 400 left in the wild, Haast tokoeka have the unfortunate title of being the world's rarest kiwi. Follow Almer, this breeding season's smallest and sassiest chick, as he goes through his first year of life in a ground-breaking conservation programme, 'Operation Nest Egg.' Watch as he grows from a tiny ball of ginger fluff to a 2kg predator fighting machine, and witness the dedication of the people working hard to give him a chance at life.

Growing Up Kiwi

With only 400 left in the wild, Haast tokoeka have the unfortunate title of being the world's rarest kiwi. Follow Almer, a small and sassy chick, as he goes through his first year of life in a ground-breaking conservation programme,

A rare Marsican bear family wanders down from the Italian Apennines to the charming village of Villalago, looking for food in the local orchards. For most people this might arouse concern, but for the residents of Villalago it is a rather different story.

My Neighbour is a Bear

A rare Marsican bear family wanders down from the Italian Apennines to the charming village of Villalago, looking for food in the local orchards.

A love story about a population of rare turtles, a dedicated community conservation group, and the changing coastal landscapes that they share. Over one year in a suburban Rhode Island wildlife refuge, a young woman scientist joins this community to reveal how—despite the existential threats of coastal development, predation, and sea level rise—the lives of the people, the diamondback terrapins, and the estuary are inextricably intertwined.

Turtles on the Hill

A love story about a population of rare turtles, a dedicated community conservation group, and the changing coastal landscapes that they share.

Eve Golecruz (Director, My Vulnerable Country) is a 22-year old senior undergraduate student at UNC-Chapel Hill in North Carolina, where she studies chemistry and communications with a concentration in media production. <a href="https://dceff.org/filmmaker/golecruz-eve/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Full bio here</a>. Amanda Sosnowski (Director, Ghost Ponds) is driven to create films that intensify our connection with the basic need to understand the physical and natural world. <a href="https://dceff.org/filmmaker/sosnowski-amanda/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Full bio here</a>. Madeleine Brennan (Director, Growing Up Kiwi) always enjoyed spending as much time outdoors and in nature as possible. This led her to the University of Otago, where she gained a degree in Zoology and Master's in Science Communication Natural History Filmmaking.<a href="https://dceff.org/filmmaker/brennan-madeleine/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Full bio here</a>. Mattia Cialoni (Director, My Neighbour is a Bear) was born and raised in Italy. He moved to the UK in 2014 and has lived in Bristol since 2015, working as an Intensive Care Nurse. <a href="https://dceff.org/filmmaker/cialoni-mattia/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Full bio here</a>. Carolyn Decker (Director, Turtles on the Hill) is an ecologist, science communicator, and poet whose work centers on nature conservation and creative expression. <a href="https://dceff.org/filmmaker/decker-carolyn/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Full bio here</a>. Bri’anna Moore (Moderator) spends her days working in programming and operations for film festivals. In addition to working for DCEFF, Bri’anna is a Narrative Shorts Programmer for the 2022 Atlanta Film Festival and a Film Program Coordinator for DOC NYC.

Student Short Films: Filmmaker Q&A

Featuring filmmakers Eve Golecruz, Amanda Sosnowski, Madeleine Brennan, Mattia Cialoni, and Carolyn Decker.

Student Short Films

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All-Virtual Festival Passes

DCEFF30 ran March 17-27. Screenings have now ended. Stay tuned for future screening announcements. 

The 30th Anniversary Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital will be all-virtual March 17-27. Featuring dozens of screenings and discussions -- many FREE and available to audiences around the globe! Opens with Sundance Favorite FIRE OF LOVE and an interview with Dr. Jane Goodall.

Here are the LIVE Q&As scheduled for DCEFF30! Can't make it? No sweat. These Q&A livestreams will be available for on-demand viewing immediately after they conclude. Note: films will not be broadcast live. They are available to watch separately from the live discussion.