ABOUT

Concept:
"Every 48 hours, an Earth Defender is killed while protecting our planet." Yet Indigenous communities, who safeguard 80% of global biodiversity, remain unheard in mainstream media.

The film was created in response to the urgent threats faced by Indigenous communities in Indonesia and worldwide, as they fight to protect their ancestral lands from corporate and governmental encroachment. Indonesia has one of the highest deforestation rates globally, driven by palm oil, logging, and resource extraction. Despite their proven role as the best guardians of forests, many Indigenous communities still lack legal recognition of their land rights. This film was released at a critical moment when Indonesia was debating the Indigenous Peoples Bill (RUU Masyarakat Adat), which, if passed, could grant stronger protections for these communities.

As a small, impact-driven studio, we ensured authenticity by partnering with key organizations such as AMAN (the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago), Global Alliance, If Not Us Then Who, and HaKA, whose expertise and deep-rooted connections helped shape the film’s narrative. Co-directed by Indigenous filmmaker Kynan Tegar and created through direct collaboration with the community, the film prioritizes representation and avoids the pitfalls of outsider storytelling.

Execution:
The strategy behind Earth Defender was rooted in extensive research, addressing the urgent threats faced by Indigenous land defenders. Collaboration was essential, with every contributor believing in the film’s vision and offering support wherever possible, often discounting fees. We worked closely with AMAN, haKa Global Alliance, If Not Us Then Who, and many other partners, drawing on guidance from experts and local communities to ensure accuracy and impact. Creativity played a vital role in transforming this insight into an emotionally powerful film through immersive storytelling, Novo Amor’s music, and strategic distribution.
IThe core team lived with the community for a month before filming, holding multiple creative discussions to shape the narrative authentically. If Not Us Then Who, AMAN, haKa, and other partners provided critical insight, while Heckler’s VFX helped visualize the environmental threats Indigenous communities face. Despite challenges such as unpredictable weather and working within the community’s daily rhythms, the team adapted, allowing the natural environment to shape the storytelling.

Results:
Earth Defender raised awareness and drove engagement around environmental and indigenous rights, significantly amplifying conversations through media coverage, social traction, and partner support. The film generated about 2 million views across platforms,The Instagram upload was Novo Amor’s most engaging post to date and our studio’s top-performing content across all NGO partner collaborations. It successfully inspired direct action—petition signatures surged from 823 to 3,133, reflecting a tangible impact.