A Year of Storytelling, Connection, and Momentum

As we look back on the past year, we’re filled with gratitude for the community that continues to engage with and support SustainaFest. Your encouragement and belief in the power of storytelling are what make this work possible.

Back to Camp 41: Reaching the World

This year marked an important milestone for Back to Camp 41 as we concluded its 18-month festival journey. The film screened at 11 festivals across all seven continents, received awards at four festivals, and reached thousands of viewers with messages of climate urgency, resilience, and hope.

Beyond the festival circuit, the film created space for deeper dialogue. In partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, we hosted an in-person screening and panel focused on biodiversity and restoration in our local watershed. We also collaborated with Climate First Bank on a national screening and panel discussion as part of their GreenNote podcast.

In August, on Dr. Lovejoy’s birthday, we were proud to release the film publicly on our website and YouTube channel, making it freely accessible around the world. The thoughtful and heartfelt responses we received were a powerful reminder of why this work matters. The film is also now available on the worldwide screening platform WaterBear.

Building What Comes Next

While celebrating these milestones, we continued laying the groundwork for the future. This included advancing development of our Planet Lovejoy series, spearheading a new university engagement initiative, and strengthening our organizational foundation through Board growth, planning, and fundraising infrastructure.

We were also inspired once again by Team SustainaFest cyclists, who took on another Climate Ride in the wilds of Vermont and raised valuable funds in support of our mission.

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

This year brought meaningful progress and renewed clarity, and we head into the next chapter with optimism and momentum. We’re deeply grateful to everyone who engaged with our work, shared our stories, and supported SustainaFest along the way. We look forward to continuing this journey together.