HEATHER FIPPS
photographer/filmmaker
interactive engagement experiences
multimedia design
event director
visual environmental campaigns
I envision an equitable world in harmony with nature, where curiosity, justice, and benevolence are fundamental values driving action. I do this by creating impact-driven films, interactive engagement experiences, and creative visual campaigns that communicate the environmental crisis in ways that harness optimism and imagination to build the world we so urgently need. In the pursuit of environmental justice, it is essential that we imagine a future worth changing for. Through multimedia storytelling, I want to empower individuals and communities to take initiative and support people, places, and movements that they care about. I create fiction and nonfiction stories that emphasize humanity, justice, nature, education, and creative problem-solving. I believe media should inform and encourage us to assess our opinions, examine urgent issues from many perspectives, and encourage growth and participation towards a better world.
Heather Fipps has multifaceted experience in film production, educational program leadership, multimedia design, and event directing. She is passionate about leveraging the power of storytelling and imagination to inspire critical thinking and drive conscious impact. She recently joined the team at The Redford Center as Program Manager where she supports environmental filmmakers and educators around the world. Heather is also an Assistant Professor of Media and Social Impact at Cal State Los Angeles. As the Founder of Community Impact Media, a documentary training program that partners student filmmakers with nonprofits, she’s produced over 20 short documentaries showcasing the work of grassroots initiatives and frontline organizations. As a filmmaker, she has produced content for clients such as the LA Children’s Court, California Air Emissions Board, New Jersey State Department of Health, as well as social cooperatives in the Italian and United States prison systems. Notably, she directed and edited the documentary Process Collettivo, which followed the process of artist Mark Bradford at the Venice Biennale. She serves on the Board of Young Entertainment Activists as the Environmental Justice Committee Chair. She is also an Executive Producer of the Hollywood Climate Summit. Heather is often found hiking or camping with her family, her dog, and a camera in hand.
A LETTER TO FUTURE GENERATIONS
When it comes to the environmental crisis, the way it has been communicated to the public has influenced how people feel about it.
Statistically, even those who believe that it is a credible and urgent threat still feel a sense of despair, hopelessness, and fear. If we can’t bring ourselves to feel differently about the challenges we face socially, economically, and environmentally, then we will lose the motivation to act.
The video is a letter that Heather wrote to future generations in a moment of despair, grasping for hope at the beginning of this year.
These photographs below showcase moments of wonder in nature that have inspired Heather to continue fighting to protect our natural world. A primary reason she enjoys photography and videography is that it provides an opportunity to experience the natural world in a curious and creative way that allows her to feel reconnected to a greater purpose. That time in nature is how she reclaims the journey and envisions stories of power for how to move forward with a renewed sense of passion and hope.
“Prior to joining this mentorship program, as an artist, I was existing in survival mode. After a decade of freelance creative work and professional development, I started to feel that I truly lost my way and the “why” behind my motivation. At the beginning of this process, Dani asked me questions that no one in my life had ever asked me before. “How do you want to wake up every day and spend your time? What is your vision of the world? How can you uniquely contribute to the things you care about?” At times, the answers to these questions made me extremely sad or scared because I was so far away from the truths that were revealed. This process has been healing because we were given space and prompts to really reflect and expand. I learned from this program that the world benefits when we show up as our whole selves in love, in life, in work, and in community. Dani and the group inspired me to show up with courage and start to move my life towards the things that truly move me. I really can say that I feel recentered after this year. I know the stories I want to tell, I have joined communities that share my core values, and I finally see a way that my unique creative perspective can add value to the environmental movement – something I have struggled to see clearly before. Also, Dani taught me how to think like a business owner, maximize my time, and envision my future with tangible strategies to get there. In short, she made things that felt impossible to me a year ago possible. There’s so much I could say about this experience, I could write an essay. I will just say in closing, to meet someone like Dani who is driven to empower others in such a generous and thoughtful way has been an honor. I have learned so much from her professional insights, her leadership style, and ultimately her genuine kindness and passion. Dani, I feel lucky to have learned from you and I will always look back at this experience as a gift, thank you.”
— Heather