About the Director
Ethan Kauffman is an emerging filmmaker dedicated to telling stories that inspire change. A recent graduate of the Film and Media Arts program at American University, his work spans both documentary and narrative filmmaking, with a focus on character-driven storytelling and environmental themes that connect audiences more deeply to the world around them. He has written and directed short narrative films, created short documentaries for the National Park Service, and produced “Saving Chesapeake Bay: A Cleaner Future” for Maryland Public Television. He also interned in the Natural History department at National Geographic within The Walt Disney Company, further developing his foundation in visual storytelling centered on the natural world. Most recently, he has served as an Associate Producer for the "Upstream, Downriver" Media Project, bringing a strong sense of purpose and emotional depth to his work while using film to elevate human stories and inspire meaningful engagement.
Learn more about the Southern Exposure fellowship program ››
