CRESTA ALTA— a film about glaciers on three continents and sustainability

In Cresta Alta, join filmmaker, Todd Anders Johnson, on a 10 day backpacking expedition to the McCall Glacier in the Alaskan Arctic National Wildlife Refuge with Dr. Matt Nolan; setting up basecamp at the Gamma Glacier in the Olivares Basin, high in the Chilean Andes with Dr. Sebastian Mernild; trekking to Lake Pacacocha, situated at 15,000 feet in elevation, in the Peruvian Cordillera Blanca with Dr. Rachel Chisolm; joining the Icelandic Glaciological Society jeeping up the Vatnajökull ice cap to conduct ice core drilling and meeting with the President of Iceland to discuss his experiences and perspectives on climate change impacts in Iceland.

As the filming of the project unfurled, Johnson said he began to draw similarities between these initiatives and wanted the film to also highlight some of the sustainability solutions that were happening in these regions alongside the reality of how climate change was impacting these areas. One example is a United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded program in Huaraz, Peru, using bio-remediation to clean river water of heavy metals occurring due to deglaciation. The expeditions and their findings highlighted in the film showcase the critical roles of scientific programs and the need for continued research funding. Alongside the film, Johnson has launched the Cresta Alta Film Tour, engaging with arts councils, colleges, high schools and museums by providing a screening of the film to communities across the United States, followed by a post-film Q&A.

Cresta Alta film tour comes to Fairplay:
The Flume, By Meryl Phair

In Cresta Alta, Todd takes a more urgent approach, following scientists as they study glaciers and observe firsthand the rapid changes happening to these ecosystems. “Cresta Alta was an adventure story, a research expedition, and a personal journey all in one,” Todd said. “I wanted to tell the story of these scientists and show how their research is helping us understand the very real effects of climate change. It’s all about trying to make the science more accessible, but also making it emotionally compelling, so people can understand why this is so important.”

The Risan Project Tour: Todd Johnson Brings Environmental Advocacy to Fairbanks: The University of Alaska Fairbanks Sun Star, By Amber McCain

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Hyannis Film Festival