WaterBear Network unveils Spirit of the Forest
November 15, 2023
WaterBear Network, the impact-driven streaming platform, in collaboration with Jack Wolfskin and Foundation Conservation Carpathia, unveils Spirit of the Forest, a mesmerising film premiering at the Kendal Mountain Festival (UK) today. This cinematic short delves deep into Romania’s Carpathian conservation programme, underlining the critical call to preserve our natural world through collaborative action.
Spirit of the Forest ‘ sheds light on the sacred beech trees in Romania, showcasing the intertwined relationship between nature, heritage, and human resilience. Set in Nucșoara, Romania, this film introduces a diverse cast of characters – from Christoph Promberger, the head of Foundation Conservation Carpathia to a local shepherd called Ion – who are battling to preserve the ancient beech tree forest.
The Carpathian forests in Romania face a significant threat from illegal deforestation. Recent investigations, including a 2023 study by Der Spiegel, reveal that Romania witnessed the unauthorized felling of around 20 million cubic meters of timber annually until 2018. Shockingly, authorities tasked with stopping illegal logging have faced accusations of complicity, despite existing laws. Spirit of the Forest highlights these challenges and offers a blueprint for preserving this invaluable ecosystem through a collaborative effort involving three committed organisations.
As part of Spirit of the Forest, WaterBear, Jack Wolfskin and Foundation Conservation Carpathia unite in collaboration with Forest of Immortal Stories, an initiative which empowers individuals to adopt ancient beech trees. Adopters have the option for their chosen beech tree to tell a personalised story. By writing in 200 words through a dedicated form, which is then edited, audio recorded and placed on a QR code tag of their tree of choice, adopters can create their own living time capsule for future generations. After watching the film on WaterBear, viewers are connected to the Forest of Immortal Stories website directly through the platform.
WaterBear’s Chief Growth and Impact Officer, Poppy Mason-Watts, commented: “Spirit of the Forest isn’t just a film; it’s a call to action, inspiring you to be a guardian of our planet’s future. At WaterBear, we’ve always believed in the transformative power of stories. This collaboration proves that when businesses, NGOs, and brands unite with purpose, we can act collectively to preserve our planet’s precious heritage and create change.”
Jack Wolfskin’s VP of Marketing Jason Isenberg, added: “Jack Wolfskin and WaterBear are united by a fierce love for nature and rewilding the natural world. Spirit of the Forest is a wild adventure that reminds us of our duty to protect our Earth, and it’s a call to join this exhilarating mission.”
Foundation Conservation Carpathia’s Executive Director Christoph Promberger said: “In the heart of ancient trees lie untold stories. With Spirit of the Forest, we’re handing you the keys to be nature’s storyteller and safeguard the legacy of these majestic trees. By adopting an ancient Beech tree, individuals can play a role in conserving Nucsoara’s invaluable heart and spirit, while also recognising that conservation can help propel economic growth ”
Spirit of the Forest is a WaterBear Original produced by Beyond Fiction and directed and edited by Jamie Jones.