In July 2013 Handcrafted Films began work on a global campaign to assist indigenous peoples and local communities who are protecting their forests and our climate; to tell their stories. This campaign ‘If Not Us Then Who’ has already produced twelve emotionally engaging short films and a series of photographs targeted at policymakers, journalists and the general public. From Indonesia to Peru, the project has encompassed working with local partners and indigenous networks to articulate the individual stories of forest dwelling communities fighting for the protection of their forests. Through our visual material, we aim to create a global movement that supports and promotes indigenous people in their battle to protect forests and mitigate against the worst effects of climate change.

Using these powerful visuals If Not Us Then Who has taken to exhibiting, curating and screening this work on a global tour from an exclusive exhibition and gallery space in New York on Lexington Avenue, to a roving Itinerant Film Festival in Lima, then an Island hopping road-show across Indonesia and a special event in Bonn, Germany, all building up to COP21 in Paris later this year. The films, exhibitions and discussions have helped engage debate, locally and internationally about the role of indigenous peoples in mitigating climate change and the need to include their voices in international and national policy decisions.

Here is a selection of films showcasing the extensive work which goes into getting these exhibitions and events off the ground.