Recent advances in DNA sequencing have unlocked a treasure trove of secrets that have been hiding in plain sight, insect collections! With the new methods for using fragmented DNA, insects collected decades ago are now time capsules for a whole new field of research.
Beyond Human Vision
In the world of tiny insects, taking photos becomes impossible as the depth of field blurs most of the insect. How do scientist explore the microscopic corners of the world and what technological tricks make it possible?
All Life is Connected
Systematics is the study of the diversification of living forms, both past and present, and the relationships among living things through time.
Insecta
PROJECT
Insecta
A short documentary explores the beauty and wonder of entomology during a journey alongside leading insect scientists to explore the most painful stings and fascinating science of the unseen lives that surround you.
In a 2014 Science article, lead author Rodolfo Dirzo of Stanford, combined data from several studies and found a 45 percent decline for a wide range of studied populations in the last forty years.
We made this film to bring awareness to the scary reality that insects around the world are vanishing before our very eyes. Together with the University of Arizona, we are promoting science literacy and raising awareness about the importance of insects as pollinators, natural agents of pest control, disease carriers, and decomposers.
IMPACT
INSPIRED KIDS
Inspired 20,000 children to get curious about strange and beautiful insects.
NOTICED EXCELLENCE
Nominated for a regional emmy award.
BROAD REACH
Reached nation-wide audience in theaters and at home.
The decline is dramatic and depressing and it affects all kinds of insects, including butterflies, wild bees, and hoverflies.
Dr. Martin Sorg Yale Environment 360
FILMING HIGHLIGHTS
FILM TEAM
SUPPORT
AG Motion
Sci Art Center
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Beyond The Mirage
PROJECT
Beyond The Mirage
Full feature documentary about the future of water in the Western United States paired with an app that empowers audiences to make their own film.
Water shortage is gripping the West with a growing gap in our supply. So we dove into the murky waters of western water policy to examine what leaders are doing about it. We explored how other nations like China and Israel are solving water shortages with innovative solutions.
Key takeaway: the Western United States are bound together by water, and the states all have to work together to secure future supplies for all of them. It’s become apparent that for this region, solutions will only come if individual states give up long entrenched defensive positions and even give back some ground on long-held water rights.
Our solution was to educate the public so we can hold our leaders accountable and demand solutions that work for us and our communities. Goal is to make everyone a water expert through meaningful engagement of both watching this film and making a short film from segments, or clips, of the footage.
IMPACT
BROAD AWARENESS
Raised awareness of water issues to more than a million Americans.
POLICY REFORM
Shaped water policy conversations at the state level.
AWARDS
Rocky Mountain Emmy
$100,000 New Arizona Prize
Concordia Award
Environmental Education/Communication Award
Craig Miller, KQED
FILMING HIGHLIGHTS
FILM TEAM
SUPPORT
Netafim
Weintraub Israel Center
Wholesum Harvest
The University of Arizona
Arizona Public Media
Host a screening
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Earthlight
PROJECT
Earthlight
A short documentary explores how technology turns waste into resources to sustain astronauts could be the key to sustainable food production here on Earth.
The human population is projected to be 9.6 billion by 2050, according to the United Nations’ Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The demand for food will be 70 percent higher than it is now. How can Earth’s finite resources support this?
We made this film because we were fascinated to learn how scientists believe that technology represented by the lunar greenhouse may play a part in meeting Earth’s food demand while minimizing additional burdens on the natural environment.
The lunar greenhouse is a collapsible hydroponic growth chamber with automated light and nutrient cycles. This computer-controlled, autonomous system mimics what plants would expect to have on Earth. Astronauts exhale carbon dioxide, which the plants take up and transform into biomass as they grow in the lighted environment. The oxygen they produce in the process is returned to the astronauts to breathe. Water transpired by the plants is collected from the humid air, which can be used as potable water for the crew.
IMPACT
HELPED NASA
Contributed to NASA receiving phase three funding.
INTERNATIONAL SCREENINGS
Led to grassroots international showings.
CONNECTING SCIENTIST
From Arizona to Italy to the moon.
AWARDS
Regional Emmy
Gene Giacomelli, The University of Arizona
FILMING HIGHLIGHTS
FILM TEAM
SUPPORT
The University of Arizona
Host a screening
If you’ve never hosted a film screening event before, don’t worry. All you need to do is follow a few simple steps and you’ll become even more popular!
HELP ME HOST
Heroes of Syria
FILM
The White Helmets
Walk the bombed out streets of Aleppo with these inspiring rescue workers recognized by their protective gear, white helmets. As daily airstrikes pound civilian targets, this group of humble first responders risk their lives to rescue victims from the rubble. They also deliver public services to nearly 7 million people, including reconnecting electrical cables, providing safety information to children and securing buildings. They are the largest civil society organization operating in areas outside of government control, and their actions provide hope for millions.
Netflix documentary released in 2016.
FILMMAKERS
Orlando von Einsiedel Director/Producer
As a British film director, he directs mostly documentary films that investigate global social issues, and has filmed in various places around the world, including Africa, Asia, America and the Arctic. Many of von Einsiedel’s documentaries have been screened at some of the world’s top film festivals.
Joanna Natasegara Co-Director/Producer
Also a British film director, Natasegara produced Virunga (2014) with von Einsiedel.
AWARDS
Oscar for Best Documentary Short 2017
TRAILER
What you can do
If this story inspired you to do something, help by spreading the word about this film. Visit whitehelmets.org for a full list of ways you can take action.
Conservation Means War
FILM
Virunga
A gripping true story set in the Congo about a group of courageous people risking their lives to build a better future.
Virunga is a powerful combination of investigative journalism and nature documentary that was created to raise awareness about the need to protect the last remaining mountain gorillas. Virunga National Park, one of the most bio-diverse places on Earth is home to these gorillas. Their caregivers are a small and embattled team of park rangers and dedicated conservationist who protect the gorillas from armed militia, poachers, and the greedy forces that desire the rich natural resources of this UNESCO world heritage site.
A Netflix documentary released in 2014.
FILMMAKERS
Orlando Von Einsiedel Director/Producer
Orlando is going places and we are only seeing the beginning. A compelling storyteller with great curiosity for investiging hidden places including Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Arctic. Virunga is his debut feature length documentary that showcases his talents in cinematogyry and abilty to extract richly personal stories.
Joanna Natasegara Producer/Impact Producer
Joanna is our heroine for leading the way to ethical outreach campaigns by working on some of the world’s most impactful feature documentaries. Combining social impact strategy and film production to maximize social change is her expertise and we applaud her for her passion and efforts.
AWARDS
Winner of 47 international film awrds 2014-2015
2015 Academy Award® Nominee: Best Documentary Feature
2015 Creative Art Emmy® Award Winner: Best Cinematography
TRAILER
What you can do
If this story inspired you to do something, help by spreading the word about the park and this film. Visit virungamovie.com for a full list of ways you can take action.