About — SustainaFest

Discover the visionary minds and collaborative spirit tackling the world’s biggest challenges.

Our History

SustainaFest is a United States-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to drive global progress by curating authentic, science-based projects and narratives that inspire action toward a sustainable and equitable future for all. Through strategic collaborations and storytelling, we engage with diverse communities to accelerate systemic change.

The organization is the brainchild of George Chmael II, an advocate for the global sustainable business movement. As the CEO of Council Fire, a B Corporation and world-class sustainability consultancy, George recognized the power of connecting with people and communities - listening first and amplifying critical projects and stories that educate and engage people in collaborative efforts to tackle our biggest challenges.

The Early Days

In October of 2012, an all-volunteer team joined with Council Fire, MountainFilm, the United States Fish & Wildlife Service, and others to host the first annual SustainaFest in Annapolis, Maryland. Over the next several years, thousands of adults, students, and children engaged with our festivals and educational programming throughout Maryland and the Washington, DC metro area.

Before long, working with our partners we had built a first-of-its-kind curriculum for middle and high school students that leveraged storytelling as a means for teaching about sustainability and social entrepreneurism. One of its most successful and highly-acclaimed programs involved designing and building sustainable tiny houses with students. The program gained international attention while capturing hearts, minds and several awards for educational innovation. Throughout this period, SustainaFest continued to use the power of film as a primary teaching vehicle.

A Centralizing Focus

As the COVID pandemic effectively shut down all of our in-person activities including our educational programming and festivals, the SustainaFest team returned to its creative roots of using storytelling as its primary means for driving social change. George launched a partnership with long-time friend Greg Hemmings and his team of world-class filmmakers and a powerful new model emerged.

Recognizing an opportunity to inspire collective action, we’re now weaving together everyday heroes, their stories of hope and perseverance, and critically needed resources to advance science and create powerful films and other storytelling assets to impact our most pressing environmental, social, and economic issues. Today, SustainaFest is bringing attention to global challenges, providing a platform for diverse voices, forging key partnerships, educating and inspiring action, and fostering a collective commitment to building a sustainable and equitable future for people and the planet.

OUR APPROACH

We are living in a time of great challenge and opportunity, a time when we are being called to reinvent the very foundations of how we live and interact with each other and the natural environment. SustainaFest is driving this change by unveiling compelling stories, crafting inspiring content, forging strategic partnerships, and committing to impact.

Working with artists, activists, scientists, and innovators, we link together people, stories and resources to educate and inspire action.

Our Partners

SustainaFest is a unique combination of visionary storytellers, content experts, and campaign strategists focused on driving solutions that outpace the world’s expanding suite of challenges Our team leverages the talents of several collaborating organizations including:

Council Fire - a global sustainability consultancy building a more sustainable and equitable world by implementing solutions that are good for our communities, businesses, and ecosystems.

Hemmings House - an award-winning team of talented media experts creating films and other creative assets that accelerate positive change in the world.

Sonder Entertainment - a premiere global independent film distributor navigating festivals, theatrical premieres and releases, video on demand, and streaming.

Lovejoy Center, University of Arizona - an accredited center at the University of Arizona dedicated to bridging biodiversity, conservation science, and policy.

National Geographic Society - a global nonprofit organization that uses science, exploration, education, and storytelling to protect the world.