GIANTS RISING
A journey into the heart of America’s most iconic forests, Giants Rising reveals the secrets and the saga of the coast redwoods—including revelations about resilience that could help sustain us all.
A journey into the heart of America’s most iconic forests, GIANTS RISING reveals the secrets and the saga of the coast redwoods—the tallest and among the oldest living beings on Earth. It’s an epic tale that explores the wonders of these silent giants and our dramatic, ever-evolving relationship with them. Living links to the past, redwoods also 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 even to enhance our own well-being. How do they do it —and how will redwoods keep working their magic as they’re pushed to their limits?
Through the voices of biologists, artists, Native peoples and others racing to understand and safeguard these trees, GIANTS RISING reveals the scientific wonders of redwoods, our deep cultural ties to them, and efforts to help these iconic forests overcome the legacy of logging that nearly wiped them out. It’s a story that offers lessons about resilience and connection, and the promise of solutions that will help us ALL rise up from the past and face the challenges that lay ahead..
Country of Origin: United States
LISA LANDERS Director
A journey into the heart of America’s most iconic forests, GIANTS RISING reveals the secrets and the saga of the coast redwoods—the tallest and among the oldest living beings on Earth. It’s an epic tale that explores the wonders of these silent giants and our dramatic, ever-evolving relationship with them. Living links to the past, redwoods also 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 even to enhance our own well-being. How do they do it —and how will redwoods keep working their magic as they’re pushed to their limits?
Through the voices of biologists, artists, Native peoples and others racing to understand and safeguard these trees, GIANTS RISING reveals the scientific wonders of redwoods, our deep cultural ties to them, and efforts to help these iconic forests overcome the legacy of logging that nearly wiped them out. It’s a story that offers lessons about resilience and connection, and the promise of solutions that will help us ALL rise up from the past and face the challenges that lay ahead..
Country of Origin: United States
LISA LANDERS Director
For more than two decades, Lisa has been developing and creating award-winning programs for television and museums such as the Smithsonian Channel, PBS/KQED, National Geographic Television, Discovery, the American Museum of Natural History, and Mexico City’s Papalote Museo del Niño. She's traveled the globe covering diverse subjects ranging from Nile crocodiles to vertical dance, and is especially passionate about telling stories with the power to shift perspectives, spark awe and cultivate a fascination for nature. Lisa is also a certified forest immersion guide, helping people connect with nature in ways that are beneficial to their well-being. She lives, works and finds inspiration among the coast redwoods of northern California and the Andean oaks of Bogotá, Colombia.
Lisa’s career began at National Geographic Television, where she developed co-productions with international partners. She went on to serve as Head of Story Development and Producer for The Thin Green Line (Outdoor Life Network), a news series profiling those on the frontlines of environmental and cultural justice battles. Later, Lisa was the Coordinating Producer of the Emmy-nominated feature, Year on Earth (Discovery Channel). Additional credits include a series for the Smithsonian Channel about American festival culture ("America Wacky and Wild") and a feature film about the extraordinary relationships between dogs and people ("Unleashed" -- for Animal Planet/Smithsonian). Lisa also spent several years as the Managing Editor and Series Producer of QUEST, an Emmy award-winning PBS/KQED television and radio series focused on the science of sustainability.
Additionally, Lisa has created many short films and interactive media experiences for The American Museum of Natural History. as well as for Latin America’s largest children’s museum, Papalote Museo del Niño. Other museum/educational work includes producing media for exhibits about sustainable living (The National Building Museum) and short films about endangered wildlife (California State Parks). She is currently developing an NEA supported exhibit about public dance performances that hold the power to change the way we experience urban landscapes.
Lisa’s career began at National Geographic Television, where she developed co-productions with international partners. She went on to serve as Head of Story Development and Producer for The Thin Green Line (Outdoor Life Network), a news series profiling those on the frontlines of environmental and cultural justice battles. Later, Lisa was the Coordinating Producer of the Emmy-nominated feature, Year on Earth (Discovery Channel). Additional credits include a series for the Smithsonian Channel about American festival culture ("America Wacky and Wild") and a feature film about the extraordinary relationships between dogs and people ("Unleashed" -- for Animal Planet/Smithsonian). Lisa also spent several years as the Managing Editor and Series Producer of QUEST, an Emmy award-winning PBS/KQED television and radio series focused on the science of sustainability.
Additionally, Lisa has created many short films and interactive media experiences for The American Museum of Natural History. as well as for Latin America’s largest children’s museum, Papalote Museo del Niño. Other museum/educational work includes producing media for exhibits about sustainable living (The National Building Museum) and short films about endangered wildlife (California State Parks). She is currently developing an NEA supported exhibit about public dance performances that hold the power to change the way we experience urban landscapes.