What does it mean to connect with your ancestral land? In the Northwest Territories of Canada, young people from the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation journey across Tu Nedhe Lake (Great Slave Lake) with the Ni Hat'ni Dene guardians to learn about the home that their community relies on—a home that's being opened up as a new national park reserve within the Thaidene Nene Indigenous Protected Area. Now, looking after this land means that the Ni Hat'ni Dene guardians are preserving it not only for future generations here but also for the world. Christine Lin is a documentary filmmaker who focuses on ocean conservation, birds, and Indigenous storytelling. A 2021 National Geographic Explorer and 2020 Jackson Wild Media Lab Fellow, she is based in San Diego and finds joy in observing local tide pool creatures and taking her budding adventure cat on walks. About Short Film Showcase: The Short Film Showcase spotlights exceptional short videos created by filmmakers from around the web and selected by National Geographic editors. We look for work that affirms National Geographic's belief in the power of science, exploration, and storytelling to change the world. The filmmakers created the content presented, and the opinions expressed are their own, not those of National Geographic Partners. Enjoy a free trial of National Geographic right here: https://ngmdomsubs.nationalgeographic.com/servlet/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=NG9&cds_page_id= ➡ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/NatGeoSubscribe ➡ Get More Short Film Showcase: http://bit.ly/ShortFilmShowcase And check out more National Geographic series and specials here: ➡ Disney Plus: https://on.natgeo.com/3q6on5p ➡ Hulu: https://on.natgeo.com/3Qor0Ko ➡ NGTV app https://www.nationalgeographic.com/tv/ ➡ ABC app https://abc.com/ #NationalGeographic ##ShortFilmShowcase About National Geographic: National Geographic is the world's premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure. Through their world-class scientists, photographers, journalists, and filmmakers, Nat Geo gets you closer to the stories that matter and past the edge of what's possible. Get More National Geographic: Official Site: http://bit.ly/NatGeoOfficialSite Facebook: http://bit.ly/FBNatGeo Twitter: http://bit.ly/NatGeoTwitter Instagram: http://bit.ly/NatGeoInsta Watchers of the Land | Short Film Showcase | National Geographic https://youtu.be/sB7oLFfu4ro National Geographic https://www.youtube.com/natgeo

In the heart of the Western Everglades lies Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, historically the site of the largest nesting colony of Wood Storks in the country. However, in recent years, the population of this endangered, prehistoric-looking bird has been declining – chicks rely on healthy habitats to be able to take flight from their nests. From flying in the sky to walking through fire, people who love this special place are fighting to bring the Wood Storks back. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3x5KeKI The National Audubon Society is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to conservation. We protect birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Don't forget to follow us on social! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalAudubonSociety/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audubonsociety/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/audubonsociety

Director/Cinematographer reel

Did you know that on rare occasions, Black Guillemots can dive deeper than 100 feet? Learn more about these fascinating auks and one thing you can do to protect them with Seabird Secrets. https://audubon.org/seabirdsecrets Credit: Producer, Narrator

Audubon partnered with drag queen and intersectional environmentalist Pattie Gonia, to bring you Birds Tell Us: The Song of the Meadowlark, a message of hope for the future of our planet. (Credit: Videography)

The New York City Virus Hunters embark on the first large-scale avian influenza mapping project of the Big Apple to help prevent the next pandemic – and become the next generation of scientists. (Credit: Director, Cinematographer, Editor)

Have you ever wondered where things happen? Why do they happen there? How do we find patterns and change them? That’s where geography comes in—by connecting the where, why, who, and how. These insights are critical keys to healthier communities, a livable climate, and charting a stronger, more equitable future. Created for the American Association of Geographers. (Credit: Editor, Narrator)

While the art of falconry pervades many parts of the world, a Cuban holding a bird of prey is a rare and unexpected sight – less than thirty falconers exist in the entire island. "Halconeros de La Habana" follows two men from Havana who reconnect with nature through their wild counterparts, while exploring what it means to be free. Premiered at WAMMFest and Cuban American International Film Festival in 2018. (Credit: Director, Cinematographer, Editor)

A short film shot for Audubon Society during the annual Whooping Crane Festival. Standing at an average of five feet tall, the endangered Whooping Crane is one of the largest and rarest birds in North America. It flies 2,500 miles each year to winter on the Texas coast. (Credit: Director, Cinematographer, Editor)