Award Winner: 2012 John de Graaf Environmental Filmmaking Award

“The New Environmentalists” share a common goal – safeguarding the Earth’s natural resources from exploitation and pollution, while fighting for justice in their communities. The film is the latest in the Mill Valley Film Group’s Emmy Award-winning series featuring inspiring portraits of six passionate and dedicated activists. These are true environmental heroes who have placed themselves squarely in harm’s way to battle intimidating adversaries while building strong grassroots support. Narrated by Robert Redford, The New Environmentalists illustrates how ordinary people are affecting extraordinary change.

The Grid | Germany | Ursula Sladek |

Community activists respond to the Chernobyl nuclear accident by creating the country’s first successful, cooperatively owned, renewable power company.

The Rhinos’ Flight | Zimbabwe | Raoul du Toit |

When the rhino population in his homeland is threatened by heavily armed poachers, a visionary bush pilot moves the animals hundreds of miles to safety.

My Toxic Reality | Texas | Hilton Kelley |

An entrepreneur returns home to his environmentally damaged coastal community to fight an ominous source of major industrial pollution.

Troubled Water | El Salvador | Francisco Pineda |

Courageous farmers paid with their lives as they stood up against a transnational gold mining corporation to protect their fragile water resources.

The Solution | Russia | Dmitry Lisitsyn |

On an island off the coast of Siberia, a dedicated activist fights to protect endangered wildlife and the region’s biodiversity from oil and gas development.

River of Dreams | Indonesia | Prigi Arisandi | A charismatic teacher leads the cleanup of the Surabaya River from a flood of industrial chemicals and sewage that are causing severe health issues for local people. Narrated by Robert Redford, The New Environmentalists illustrates how ordinary people are affecting extraordinary change.

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