For ten years, Films for the Forest has brought together storytellers, conservationists, artists, scientists, and audiences from around the world to celebrate one powerful idea: forests deserve a voice. On May 1, Rainforest Partnership proudly celebrated the 10th anniversary of Films for the Forest at The Rosette in Austin, Texas, with participants joining both in person and through a global livestream. The evening was a celebration not only of film, but of connection, creativity, and the growing movement to protect the world’s forests through storytelling.
This year’s event featured 90 minutes of inspiring films from around the globe, highlighting the beauty of forests, the people who protect them, and the urgent environmental challenges facing ecosystems worldwide. Originally, nearly 70 films were submitted from 25 different countries — a testament to the universal importance of forests and the shared desire to protect them.
From deeply personal stories to visually stunning documentaries, the selected films demonstrated how cinema can transcend borders and languages to inspire action and empathy. The evening opened with a reception and gathering of supporters, filmmakers, environmental advocates, and community members before audiences settled in for the program. Guiding the evening as emcee was Hugh Forrest, whose longtime leadership in film and creative communities helped bring warmth and energy to the celebration.
One of the highlights of the evening was a special presentation by renowned scientist and herpetologist Pablo Venegas. His presentation explored the incredible diversity of rainforest frogs and amphibians, while underscoring the importance of protecting fragile rainforest ecosystems before species disappear forever. Through vivid photography, scientific insight, and firsthand conservation stories, Pablo reminded attendees that rainforests are not abstract places far away — they are living ecosystems filled with extraordinary biodiversity that directly impacts the health of our planet.
The event also featured an extraordinary jury panel that included acclaimed filmmaker Richard Linklater, whose support added meaningful recognition to the filmmakers and storytellers participating in the festival. Co-hosting the event was Oscar-nominated producer Mike Blizzard, further reinforcing the important connection between film, culture, and environmental advocacy.
Over the past decade, Films for the Forest has evolved into more than a film showcase. It has become a platform for amplifying voices that are too often unheard — Indigenous communities protecting ancestral lands, scientists documenting environmental change, filmmakers capturing disappearing ecosystems, and everyday people taking action to defend forests around the world.
At its core, Films for the Forest exists to enhance the voice of the forest through the powerful medium of film. Stories have the ability to move people emotionally in ways facts and statistics alone often cannot. A single image, scene, or testimony can inspire curiosity, compassion, and ultimately action. That spirit was deeply felt throughout the evening in Austin and across the livestream audience around the world.
As Rainforest Partnership celebrates this 10-year milestone, we are filled with gratitude for the filmmakers, partners, volunteers, supporters, scientists, jurors, and audience members who continue to make this event possible year after year. Most importantly, we are grateful to everyone who believes forests are worth protecting. The challenges facing rainforests today are immense, but so is the global community committed to defending them. Films for the Forest reminds us that storytelling can help bridge cultures, inspire collective action, and create hope for the future.
We look forward to continuing this journey together for many years to come.
