Giants Rising
Lisa Landers
United States, 2024, 81 min.
In English.
This film is family friendly.
AIFF Award Winner:
Best Environmental Documentary,
Special Jury Award for Outstanding Cinematography
A journey into the heart of America’s most iconic forests, GIANTS RISING reveals the secrets and saga of the coast redwoods—the tallest and among the oldest living beings on Earth. Living links to the past, redwoods hold powers that may play a role in our future, including their ability to withstand fire and capture carbon, to offer clues about longevity, and to enhance our own well-being. Through the voices of scientists, artists, Native communities and others, we discover the connections that sustain these forests and solutions that may help us ALL rise up to face the challenges that lay ahead.
Director's Statement
The sense of awe and connection to nature I feel when among redwoods is unparalleled. I’m not alone. My experience is a testament to what social scientists have confirmed: spending time among forests like these can change how we feel, how we see ourselves, and how we interact with the world. It can make us happier, healthier, more compassionate and collaborative. Experiencing these ancient giants is also a gateway to accessing a deeper sense of connection to ALL trees and forests – and understanding why it’s in our best interest to care for them.
Category: Documentary, Award Winner.
Themes: Environment, Climate Change.
More in Documentary
-
No Baby on Board
Julia Kots
United States, 2025, 79 min.When the filmmaker tries to donate her frozen eggs, she delves into a hilarious and heartbreaking debate about why women are opting out of motherhood... more ›
-
Still Standing
Victor Tadashi Suarez
United States, 2026, 10 min.After the Los Angeles wildfires leave thousands of homes contaminated with toxic ash, residents face an impossible choice: should they risk their health to... more ›
-
Children of the Mountain
Ryan Flynn
United States, 2025, 8 min.The artistic vision behind Children of the Mountain explores the sacred Indigenous tradition of the sweat lodge. With the permission of Ron Six Bears... more ›