SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL

Directors:

Writers:

Carolyn M. Scott

Producers:

Carolyn M. Scott, Gary D. Liess

Run Time:

0:25:03

Awarded for the following Category(s):

Awarded Category(s)

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL explores the challenges facing a small rural community waging a fierce battle against a massive development project threatening to engulf a wildlife sanctuary and a community’s way of life.

Set against the backdrop of California’s increasing wildfire risks, the documentary highlights the precarious balance between urban expansion and environmental preservation. As climate change intensifies fire seasons, this rural community finds itself not only fighting to protect its natural heritage but also grappling with the potential catastrophic consequences of introducing large-scale development into a fire-prone landscape.

Submitter Statement

As a filmmaker, my journey has been one of intertwining passions: film, theater, environmental advocacy, and visual storytelling. With over 25 years dedicated to these endeavors, each project has been an opportunity to engage audiences, provoke thought, and inspire action.

My Emmy-nominated documentary, "TEXAS GOLD," was not merely a film but a call to arms, a testament to the power of storytelling to ignite change. Through its screenings at over 30 film festivals worldwide and its acquisition by prestigious platforms such as Sundance Channel and PBS Emmy-winning Series Natural Heroes, it reached hearts and minds across the globe. The recognition it received, including Best Documentary and Best of Fest awards, affirmed its impact and reinforced my commitment to using film as a tool for advocacy.

In addition to "TEXAS GOLD," my short film "ROUNDUP WINE" has also resonated with audiences, earning accolades such as the Audience Award at the Florida Animation Film Festival and selection at numerous prestigious festivals. Through these works, I've sought to shed light on pressing environmental issues, to spark conversations, and to empower individuals to be agents of change.

Beyond filmmaking, my involvement in initiatives like Cool Planet Labs reflects my belief in the power of collective action. As a founding partner, I am committed to leveraging technology and creativity to mobilize communities around climate solutions. This work is not just about raising awareness but about catalyzing tangible, meaningful change.

As a recipient of the National Women’s History Project's Women Taking the Lead To Save The Planet! award, I stand alongside esteemed environmentalists like Jane Goodall and Rachel Carson, driven by a shared determination to safeguard our planet for future generations. It is an honor and a responsibility that I carry with me in every project I undertake.

In each film, in each initiative, I strive to harness the power of storytelling to inform, to inspire, and to incite action. Through the lens of my camera, I aim to capture not just the beauty of our world but also the urgency of its challenges and the potential of collective action. It is my hope that each frame, each narrative, serves as a catalyst for change, igniting a spark that grows into a flame of transformation.

Carolyn M. Scott is an Emmy nominated, award-winning filmmaker, visual storyteller, creative director and environmental educator with more than 25 years in education, environmental and film endeavors. Ms. Scott won the prestigious Roy W. Dean Writer’s Grant; and wrote, directed and produced the Emmy nominated documentary film TEXAS GOLD, screened at 30+ film festivals worldwide. Acquired by Sundance Channel, PBS Emmy winning Series Natural Heroes, FSTV and Link TV. The film has won BEST DOCUMENTARY and BEST OF FEST awards at several renowned film festivals.

Key Cast

Other Credits

Director - Carolyn M. Scott

Writer - Carolyn M. Scott

Producer - Carolyn M. Scott

Producer - Gary D. Liess

Cinematographer - Gary D. Liess

Editor - Carly Miller

Music - Carly Miller