ECODOCS Short Films

Directed by Rose Ramirez and Deborah Small and David Bryant

USA, 2022, 20 minutes 43 seconds

Saging” has gone mainstream. This viral trend is now common in movies, TV shows, social media, and cleansing rituals—people burning sage bundles in the hope of purifying space and clearing bad energy. Instead of healing, the appropriated use of saging in popular culture is having a devastating impact.

White sage (Salvia apiana) is the key ingredient in the now ubiquitous sage bundles. This ecologically vital and culturally sacred plant only occurs in southern California and northern Baja California, Mexico. Indigenous communities have tended a relationship with white sage for thousands of generations. Today, poachers are stealing metric tons of this plant from the wild to supply international demand. Saging the World spotlights the ecological and cultural issues intertwined with white sage, centering the voices of Native advocates who have long protected and cherished this plant.

Directed by Jonathan Hyla

USA, 2022, 20 minutes

"Without Water" documents the ongoing dispute between the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) and various stakeholders in Long Valley, California. Filmed by acclaimed director Jonathan Hyla and narrated by actor David Chokachi, "Without Water" dives into LAWDP’s plan to reduce or eliminate irrigation allotments on leased lands in the Eastern Sierra's Long and Little Round Valleys. Now under pressure from climate change and the ever-growing needs of Los Angeles county, a group of ranchers, environmentalists, and indigenous tribal members are coming together to face the prospect of an uncertain future.

Directed by James 'Q' Martin

USA, 2021, 11 minutes 40 seconds

This film looks at how people can recreate responsibly in the national parks and monuments by practicing Leave No Trace principles; emphasizes how reusable water bottles, mugs, and reusable bags fit into Leave No Trace ethics. Additionally, it looks at how systemic issues can help to protect national parks and monuments for future generations through legislative measures to ban the sale of bottled water and reduce single-use disposals throughout the National Park Service.

Directed by Susan Gray

USA, 2021, 13 minutes 9 seconds

Subtitled in 23 languages and narrated by Richard Gere, Climate Emergency: Feedback Loops is a series of five short films, featuring twelve leading climate scientists, that explores how human-caused emissions are triggering nature’s own warming loops. 

Directed by Wyndee King

USA, 2022, 19 minutes 59 seconds

A short film focusing on native Bumblebees found in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.

Directed by Cheryl Allison

USA, 2022, 46 minutes 29 seconds

Dumped and alone at a city park, Honk spends his days dodging cars, begging for food and looking for friends. When Cheryl and Honk's path cross unexpectedly, what follows is a story in which fairy tales are made. During an unprecedented time of lock downs and social distancing, this unlikely pair turn to each other for companionship.