Documentary

Documentaries are a powerful tool that can shape policy, frame conversations about the most pressing topics of today, and even change outcomes for individuals and entire communities. We focus on unique, character-driven stories to inform, entertain, and move your audience.

In this intimate short documentary, Bernie Krause, the legendary pioneer of acoustic ecology, takes us on an immersive journey to understand the roadmap that natural soundscapes can offer for overcoming the climate crisis.

TEAM: Directed and Edited by Masha Karpoukhina. Produced by Hassan Said and Rose Wyatt. Cinematography by Justin LaFleur.

the lasting of the nightingales

Man sits by blue water with title "One Word Sawalmem"

In his uplifting and internationally-acclaimed short film “One Word Sawalmem,” co-director Michael “Pom” Preston of the Winnemem Wintu tribe of Mt. Shasta, California gives us a rare look into the life of local Native wisdom keepers – people who hold humanity’s most intimate knowledge about how to live in balance with the Earth and how to thrive with the natural world.

TEAM: Directed by Michael "Pom" Preston and Natasha Deganello Giraudie. Cinematography and Editing by Masha Karpoukhina. Aerial cinematography by Justin LaFleur.

One word sawalmem

Three elderly men stand next to barbed wire fence at Manzanar, with title "Three Boys Manzanar"

Discovering the story behind the iconic photograph of three boys staring proudly into the lens from behind a barbed wired fence in Manzanar, a Japanese internment camp near Death Valley, California.

TEAM: Directed and Produced by Preeti Mankar Deb. Cinematography and Editing by Masha Karpoukhina.

THREEBOYSMANZANAR

Two white birds fly above the wetlands, with title "Where Wetlands Grow"

As the Bay Area braces for seven feet of sea level rise by the year 2100, Save The Bay, along with partners like the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, are pioneering nature-based solutions for one of the largest tidal marsh restoration projects on the West Coast. This innovative approach protects Bay Area wildlife and human communities with healthy marshes teeming with native vegetation instead of hardened seawalls or levees.

TEAM: Directing and Cinematography by Masha Karpoukhina. Additional Cinematography and Editing by Justin LaFleur.

Where wetlands grow: Save the Bay

There are so few free-flowing rivers in the U.S. that the Department of the Interior considers them endangered ecosystems. Enter Kayla Lopez, a young river activist, and Steve Evans (aka The River Guy), who has lobbied for wild rivers in Congress his whole life. Both are on a journey into the spirit of the California rivers they hold dear. Follow their stories as we explore CalWild's mission to protect a total of 6,000 miles eligible under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by 2028.

TEAM: Directing, Cinematography and Editing by Masha Karpoukhina. Additional Cinematography by Justin LaFleur.

6000 miles: Calwild

Tree at the top of a green valley, with title "A Valley Endures"

A valley endures: peninsula open space trust

Between two ridges—the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range—lies Coyote Valley, the last remaining, largely undeveloped link connecting 1.13 million acres of habitat that is already severely fragmented by human development. If the wildlife who call these habitats home are to have a chance at adapting to our changing climate, or even surviving, Coyote Valley must be protected forever.

TEAM: Directing and Cinematography by Masha Karpoukhina. Additional Cinematography and Editing by Justin LaFleur.

A man and a woman in wheelchairs sit in front of a flight of stairs, holding a sign reading "Disabling Ableism"

Alycia's journey to inclusion began from the moment she was born. An intimate look at what is possible when we work together to dispel harmful stereotypes. Alycia is a successful motivational speaker, a writer, and an inclusion coach and she inspires us all.

TEAM: Produced and Directed by Masha Karpoukhina. Cinematography and editing by Justin LaFleur.

Disabling AbLEISM

A dancer in a white bra top and shorts holds a white scarf

Women cancer survivors share their stories about the importance of medical and mental health support for people diagnosed with cancer and how one community of dancers stepped in to uplift these women when they needed it most.

TEAM: Directing, Cinematography, and Editing by Masha Karpoukhina.

Dancing saved my Life

City skyline at night, with tall twinkling buildings

Immigration dentention is inhumane and costly, yet more than 35,000 individulas are separated from their families and held without rights in jail like facilities annualy. ICE even has quoatas to fill. CIVIC is on the frontlines of this crisis helping reunite families and provide legal services for the most vulnerable.

TEAM: Produced by Micro-Documentaries. Directed by Preeti Mankar Deb. Cinematography and Editing by Masha Karpoukhina.

This american quilt (Civic)