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Logline

An investigative team examines the environmental crimes of an acclaimed nature reserve – uncovering rampant greenwashing in ecotourism and private conservation.

Synopsis

A ragtag team of journalists, scientists and filmmakers visit a famed for-profit nature reserve in southern Chile, uncovering a shocking pattern of laboral and environmental abuse within the reserve. Despite ever worsening acts of wrongdoing, the reserve continues to receive awards and praise from respected organizations.

Across the globe, private conservation initiatives have exploded in popularity as an alternative to ineffective government strategies to combat the climate crisis. These initiatives enable well intentioned private landholders to participate in the protection of the environment. However, this nascent form of activism is not without issues.

The team dives into the systems of awards and certifications, finding an industry with little to no accountability, and sparking an international examination of private conservation efforts. Under the green veneer of the Chilean Patagonia, the team discovers a web of greenwashed private reserves held by worrisome businessmen. As the investigators venture further into the case, one thing becomes absolutely clear: the reserve’s wrongdoing is not an isolated event.

This is the story of How to Get Away with Greenwashing. A story that forces us to question not only who we want protecting the environment but how we want to protect it.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Samuel Pigott – Co-Director
Samuel Pigott is a biologist and co-director from rural Indiana whose work examines democratic and just forms of conservation. As a Thomas J. Watson Fellow and graduate of Earlham College, Sam has studied a variety of conservation models in as many as 12 countries around the world. He places particular emphasis on community ownership of natural resources as a means of economic and environmental empowerment in rural communities. While Sam’s expertise is in his understanding of the natural world, he favors an interdisciplinary approach to environmental protection that includes historical, racial and social considerations. Sam seeks to tell stories that capture the nuanced, political relationships between people and land. He hopes to bring this approach to conservation and filmmaking to mainstream audiences and environmental advocates around the world. Sam also works as a freelance drone pilot.

Benjamin Espinoza – Co-Director
Benjamin Espinoza is a seasoned Chilean political scientist and economist, is driven by a passion for social justice and human rights. His international experience encompasses work in Chile, the U.S., and Europe, notably with refugees and research on economic crimes during Pinochet’s dictatorship. Benjamin’s educational journey, marked by full scholarships in Germany and at the University of Rochester, intertwines with his professional path, reflecting his commitment to ethical policymaking and social change. His roles have ranged from research collaborations with Chile’s Museum of Memory to legislative contributions in the Chilean Congress. Originating from a lower-class background in Chile, Benjamin brings a unique, empathetic perspective to his work. Complementing his socio-political expertise is his talent in music, focusing on storytelling, which adds a creative layer to his documentary endeavors. Benjamin’s role as a co-director is fueled by his dedication to highlighting underrepresented narratives grounded in historical accuracy, making him a key asset in the pursuit of impactful documentary storytelling.

Felipe Toro Meza – Director of Photography
Felipe Toro Meza is an experienced director of photography and cinematographer from Santiago, Chile. Felipe attended the Escuela Internacional de Cine y Tv de San Antonio de los Baños, Cuba and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso earning degrees in directing and cinematography. He is best known for his work as a cinematographer, with 16 credits to his name, on projects such as Prime Video’s Los Sobrevivientes: Colonia Dignidad and the short film Five Ways to Get Rid of a Hickey premiering at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. Felipe is well known for capturing Santiago’s famed freestyle rap battles in Los Reyes del Parque a web series with more than 200,000 followers and for his work as a musician in Santiago’s underground funk scene.

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Contact

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