Mighty Women Films

In celebration of Mothers everywhere, we bring you a curation of Mighty Women Films. It’s Mother’s Day weekend (see how we just made it a whole weekend), and we want to celebrate the mighty women in your life.

We hope you’ll join us in a celebration of women, the natural world, science, community, and storytelling. Below, you’ll find a curated selection of films from our past Festivals about inspiring, trailblazing women that you can share with the women who inspire you!

All films can be watched at your convenience and are free except for Breaking Their Silence: Women on the Frontline of the Poaching War which is available to rent.

Women Who Inspire

”It only takes one woman to inspire a generation.” This National Geographic short film celebrates all the women who fearlessly push boundaries and inspire the next generation of change makers.

SARAH JOSEPH AND VANESSA SERRAO, FILMMAKERS.
2 MINUTES. 2018 FESTIVAL.

Where I Belong

SHORT FILM AWARD WINNER – Chris Hill, an environmental lobbyist and angler, never saw people like herself on the river until recently. Through social media platforms like Instagram, traditionally underrepresented voices are creating communities to encourage one another and amplify their message – “We belong here too.“

CHRIS CRESCI, FILMMAKER. 9 MINUTES. 2021 FESTIVAL.

Where Life Begins

Along the Arctic Coast, at the northernmost point on American soil, discover the inseparable bond between mother and child, the sacred and fragile moments after birth, and the importance of protecting the place “Where Life Begins.”

KATIE SCHULER, FILMMAKER. 10 MINUTES. 2021 FESTIVAL.

This Land

Women, people of color, indigenous peoples and their knowledge and perspectives have been ignored in the conservation conversation. Runner and advocate Faith E. Briggs is running 150 miles through three of our National Monuments, steeped in the controversy around public lands. This film is meant to act as both a powerful encouragement for those in the fight to find their place in the conservation effort and a tool to start these much-needed connections and conversations around public lands.

WHIT HASSETT, CHELSEA JOLLY, FAITH BRIGGS, FILMMAKERS.
10 MINUTES. 2021 FESTIVAL.

Women In Fire

Less than 10% of firefighters are women. But what these women lack in numbers, they make up for in guts and inspiration.

TIM KRESSIN, FILMMAKER. 8 MINUTES. 2019 FESTIVAL.

Women on a Mission: Poachers to Peacekeepers

2021 SUPER SHORT FILM AWARD WINNER – Josphine Ekiru, a peacekeeper in Northern Kenya, has risked her life spearheading the battle against ivory poaching and defusing conflict between pastoralists.

KATIE BRYDEN, FILMMAKER. 3 MINUTES. 2021 FESTIVAL.

Our Gorongosa

Dominique Gonçalves, a young African elephant ecologist, shares the inspiring story of how Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique is becoming a new model for wildlife conservation and community development. By bringing large-scale, long-term health care, agriculture support, and girls’ education to surrounding communities, Gorongosa and the dedicated people working there are redefining the identity and purpose of this national park.

JAMES BYRNE AND CARLA REBAI, FILMMAKERS.
60 MINUTES. 2021 FESTIVAL.

Breaking Their Silence: Women on the Frontline of the Poaching War

A film that explores Africa and Asia’s intricate relationship in the war on wildlife through the female lens. From game rangers and veterinarians to prosecutors, forensic scientists and undercover operatives; these inspirational women have only one goal – preventing further loss of our planet’s most endangered species. CLICK HERE TO RENT

KERRY DAVID, FILMMAKER. 110 MINUTES. 2021 FESTIVAL.

ACFF Conversations

Be sure to watch the Conversation related to these films: “Telling the Stories of Female Leadership in Conservation” with filmmakers Katie Bryden, Carla Rebai, and Kerry David, and interviewed by Sarah Gulick, NPS Filmmaker.

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TRANSLATED INTO AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL)