Cone People
Follow the extraordinary journey of a wild tree seed, from the forest floor to its return as a cultivated seedling in a new forest, thanks to the unseen labor of “cone people.” These seed collectors in rural communities play a crucial role in reforestation, safeguarding the genetic legacy of the burning forests in the western part of the United States that have been ravaged by climate-fueled wildfires.
Sponsored by Jefferson County Farmland Protection
Filmmaker: Trever Santora
Running Time: 11 mins
Language: English
Type: Official Selection – Short
Trever Santora is dedicated to making the pine cone, not traffic or dessert, the first cone that comes to mind. Featured in Forbes, NPR, and CNN, Santora offers unique access to the profound lives of frontline forestry workers who collect and process wild tree seed. His own journey began as a commercial mushroom picker.



