A Partnership Forged in the Wild
CREW Trust is partnering with filmmaker Danny Schmidt, Pure Gold Pictures, and SLOMotion Film as a fiscal sponsor to produce a documentary film about George McKenzie Jr., a black photographer who traded the streets of Brooklyn for the heart of the Everglades. George became not only a National Geographic Explorer and internationally recognized wildlife photographer, but also a beacon of change for anyone anywhere who ever dreamed of following a similar path.
If you’ve read recent issues of CREW News, you will have noticed mentions of George’s work documenting local wildlife using motion-activated camera traps located throughout CREW. We’ve been excited to introduce the CREW lands and its denizens to George and are eager for the world to see it through his eyes in the forthcoming film.
As a fiscal sponsor, CREW Trust has agreed to accept donations made on behalf of the film project and pass them along to the production company at a small percentage to cover our administrative expenses. When you support the film, you are also supporting CREW Trust. It’s a perfect partnership because it advances our educational mission, helps introduce CREW to new audiences around the world, and encourages kids of all ages and backgrounds to dream big!
Over the next year, we’ll be hosting several events to introduce George and his story to the community. We hope to see you there!
The Story
From Brooklyn’s concrete jungle to the heart of the Everglades, meet George McKenzie Jr., a Black photographer transforming his lens into a beacon of change. Swapping the weight of a gun for the promise of a camera, George found his calling amid nature’s raw grandeur, capturing everything from city pigeons and rats to elusive panthers. His unique perspective earned him the title of National Geographic Explorer, but his mission runs deeper than recognition. George, a rare gem in the predominantly white canvas of wildlife photography, is empowering kids of color to shift their gaze to conservation. He’s proof that the color of your skin shouldn’t define the wild dreams you pursue, nor the impact you aspire to make.
Today, he stands at the epicenter of his documentary, The Book of George, capturing nature’s essence and inspiring young people of color from underserved communities. This film is George’s mission in motion, demonstrating that dreams are not restricted by socioeconomic barriers and that conservation is everyone’s responsibility.
Support The Book of George, and empower a more diverse, inclusive future for our planet.
Beyond the Screen
The Book of George aims to have a transformative impact on both the planet and its audience by fostering a deeper connection to nature, promoting diversity and inclusion in conservation efforts, and inspiring environmental stewardship among underserved communities.
A robust film festival tour will amplify the project’s reach, sharing George McKenzie Jr.’s inspiring journey with a wider audience and garnering attention on a global scale. Following the festival and community screening tours, the project will pursue online and broadcast distribution, hoping to bring George’s story to a worldwide audience.
Complementing the documentary screenings, the project’s impact campaign will fund two photocamps led by George and his colleagues. These camps will provide 8-12 young BIPOC photographers with the opportunity to embark on assignments in the wilds of Florida. By investing in the next generation of storytellers, the project aims to cultivate a diverse and inclusive community of environmental advocates.
About the Director
Award-winning filmmaker Danny Schmidt has a long history of wildlife filmmaking in Florida. He directed REI Presents: The Last Green Thread and The Wild Divide in collaboration with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation. He also directed the 5-part series for National Geographic, Saving the Florida Wildlife Corridor, which was instrumental in the passage of Senate Bill 976, The Florida Wildlife Corridor Act. The legislation directs the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to encourage and promote investments in areas that protect and enhance the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Danny Schmudt also served as Director of Photography for the National Geographic/Disney+ feature documentary, Path of the Panther.
Danny is committed to advancing conservation in Florida and around the world through collaborative storytelling. You can find see more of his work at www.dannyschmidtfilms.com.
To Contribute
Make checks payable to “CREW Land & Water Trust” and mail to 23998 Corkscrew Road, Estero, FL 33928 or make an online contribution using our donation portal below:
