Flora, Fauna, Funga

2024 |Chile |16:51 |English

This short film follows Chilean mycologist and National Geographic Explorer Giuliana Furci’s search for new mushrooms in far southern Chile, on the main island of Tierra del Fuego. She’s joined by biologist and author Merlin Sheldrake and mycologist Toby Kiers from SPUN, the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks, whose goal is to map the mycorrhizal networks of the world. Together, the three scientists illuminate how—through nutrient cycling and the essential relationships they form with plants—fungi underpin every ecosystem on Earth, and outline a strategy for greater fungal inclusion in conservation policy.

Director

Sam Sheline

MEET THE DIRECTOR

Sam Sheline

Sam Sheline is an award-winning environmental filmmaker based in Richmond, Virginia. As a Producer for National Geographic Society’s Impact Story Lab, Sam loves telling untold stories with passionate people and working to understand how to make a real-world impact through storytelling.

SEE MORE FROM 2024

Amanita

Alba, Maydis and Judae are fungi like creatures that inhabit the big oak tree. For years they have served The Beast without ever attempting to confront him, until now... The arrival of the newest fungi member to their sisterhood will make them question the authority of The Beast. They dream of freedom but the road to get it wont be easy to take.

2024 |Mexico |11:06

Batrachia

The empty life of a lonely boy blurs between dream and reality. His fears and desires intertwine, taking shape in a frightening and cumbersome version of himself that haunts him, revealing itself to be only a harmless observer. The choice to use 3D animation, robotic and polygonal, in contrast with a static and distant direction, aims to underline the blurred boundaries between the reality in which the protagonist exists and the imaginary world in which he lives.

2024 |Italy |6:47

Dead Bird

A dead bird decomposes. From this death, sprouts something unexpected.

2024 |USA |1:29

Fungi Forage

A humorous song about foraging for mushrooms (and the necessity of having an in-depth knowledge of what is and is not safe to eat) excerpted from The Grunting of the Watford Wyrm, an animated film produced by the British comedy duo, The Electric Head.

2024 |UK |2:10 |English

Gold of the Plateau

Spring has arrived on the Tibetan Plateau, and Zhuoma sets out on a search for something quite extraordinary.

2024 |China |5:52

How to Film a Mushroom

"How to Film a Mushroom" is an experimental documentary that follows a filmmaker's journey as he attempts to create a film about mushrooms, despite his initial lack of knowledge. As he delves deeper into the world of fungi, he unintentionally explores the role of artificial intelligence in art, uncovering the implications this technology has on human self-perception. The film weaves together traditional documentary techniques with AI-generated imagery, creating a unique visual experience that reflects the organic complexity of mushrooms. The narrative draws parallels between the growth of fungi and the filmmaker's expanding understanding, illustrating the interconnectedness of nature and technology. The film also addresses themes of ego and self-discovery, as the filmmaker learns to appreciate the beauty of both the natural world and the digital realm. Through this exploration, the audience is invited to reflect on the evolving relationship between humanity and technology.

2024 |Netherlands / Belgium / Germany |20:14 |English

If Camembert Were To Disappear Too...

The Camembert cheese is going to disappear soon. How can it be ? A story of molds that gives us a lesson about biodiversity preservation.

2024 |France |28:07 |French

Il Fungo di Albaredo

Places are made by humans and non-human actors. "Now" is the encounter of processes on multiple scales (both temporal and spacial). The poetic and speculative Science Fiction in this piece is an exploration of space and time sparked by the Fungo di Albaredo. A rock formation based in the Italian Vallagarina.

2024 |Italy |3:40 |Italian

Misteria del Bosque (Mystery of the Forest)

As an indigenous Mexican healer sings a song of praise for the mushrooms she uses in her practice, the rich imagery of fungal mysticism unfolds on the screen to complement her alluring voice.

2024 |USA |4:40 |English

MUSH

In the forest a crow has died. This is the end of a life but the beginning of many other things. From the inside to the outside, lots of different creatures sustain themselves from the carcass. A fungus, generous in it's own way, helps an oak seed to grow above the ground.

2024 |Bulgaria |2:12 |Other

Mushlings

The film is a short documentary on Mushlings - a magical evolution of common mushrooms. Through the fairy-tale-like creatures, the film shows the beauty and variety of mushrooms and nature itself. It teaches respect for the forest and the world around us. Humans do not live here alone, this point is especially emphasized when little cute mystical mushroom creatures are at stake! Some of the pieces depicted are: King Bolets, Fly Agaric, Hoof fungus, Puffball, and many more.

2024 |Poland |3:53 |Polish

Mushrooms in Space

Fungi and space. Two words that don`t seem to have anything to do with each other. As it turns out, they do. An astrophysicist presents us the surprising story of fungi in space. Fungi in space were first discovered on the MIR station in the mid 90s. Scientists never stopped studying them since because it turns out, fungi thrive in space. Fungi made it to the ISS and may even be used as building material on other planets.

2024 |Germany |5:05 |English

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Flora, Fauna, Funga