Festival Journey & Recognition
Awards
Winner — Best Short Documentary
Winner — Audience Award (People’s Choice)
Filmambiente, Rio de Janeiro
Network Round Winner
Amsterdam Lift-Off Global Network
Official Selections
Filmambiente — Rio de Janeiro
New York Latino Film Festival
Hawai‘i International Film Festival
Indie Short Fest
Awareness Festival
ALT EFF
With additional screenings at international climate gatherings, including COP30 and Climate Week NYC.
official trailer
ABOUT THE FILM
Zag, the araucaria, is a funny looking tree. But behind its whimsical look lies the heart of an ambitious mission led by a Xokleng family from Southern Brazil.
Carl and Isa Gakran, together with elder Yoko, fight to save the endangered araucaria, once abundant and vital for sustenance and spirit, now nearly lost. Yet their deepest challenge is embracing a mission that may not bear fruit in their lifetimes.
The film searches for this answer, beginning with self-identity but evolving into a multi-layered story of past and future generations, and the collective identity of a people. Rooted in love and spiritual connection, it becomes an urgent call to listen to those who live in sacred relationship with the natural world.
LEARN MORE ABOUT INSTITUTO ZAG — AND GET IN TOUCH!
Instituto ZAG, founded by the Gakran family, is dedicated to protecting the sacred Araucaria tree and Xokleng culture. If you’d like to support or connect, we’d love to hear from you.
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