A film by Director Biography - Angelina Lee

Old growth, native forests are disappearing, pulling the rug out from under local biodiversity, and releasing noxious carbon dioxide that compounds climate change. To restore those native forests, people around the world are embracing the Miyawaki Method to plant “mini-forests.”
This method was created by researcher Akira Miyawaki in the 1970s. His reforestation approach simultaneously restores the multi-layer structure of canopy, trees, sub-trees, and shrubs characteristic of natural forests. As a result, the plants grow and support each other as a community, and become highly resilient to heat waves, drought, pests, natural disasters, and other stressors when planted densely at a young age. And while planting trees to offset carbon emissions has become increasingly mainstream, this method doesn’t just plant trees, but forests equipped for the long run with restored topsoil, rich mulching, and a biodiverse mix of species. In order to capture the history of the Miyawaki Method, the film takes viewers to Japan, and explores the past and present large-scale reforestation work that was initiated by Dr. Miyawaki, and that continues to be carried out by his research team.
The film is narrated by Hannah Lewis, author of Mini-Forest Revolution, and zigzags across land and sea to meet ten different organizations in four languages in France, Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. The film observes in real time the brainstorming, planning, planting, and maintenance that goes into making a mini-forest. Author Hannah Lewis’ narration guides us from place to place. She also briefly explains the forest science concepts that show how the Miyawaki Method imitates nature’s mighty climax forests.
The film explores each group’s unique approach, with insights from some of the first studies on European mini-forests through interviews with scientists. The documentary’s tapestry of many faces and places speaks to the current moment, reporting on what’s being done in five countries, while also sharing actionable knowledge with audiences in making their own mini-forests. Each story contributes to a bigger picture, that of passionate individuals taking civic action to regreen their cities. One person sparks the imagination of another, and another, and a robust network of foresters emerges.
This film speaks to the current explosion of interest in mini-forests. Indeed, these “Tiny Forests,” or “pocket forests” have incredible potential, because they represent what people are looking for: local, collective environmental action that can be done today. Now more than ever, it’s important to disseminate information about what mini-forest work has been done. This film captures 30+ mini-forest examples in one geographic region of the world. This is the first feature-length documentary that takes a deep dive into how mini-forests are being adapted in Western Europe.