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Cottonwood

In the San Fernando valley lies a model for urban renewal that could revolutionize how vacant land is used across Los Angeles. Follow founders Elliott Kuhn and Alexys Romo as they recount the origins of Cottonwood Urban Farm, its partnership with Black Thumb Farm, and the impact they've had in Panorama City.

  • Arian Tomar
    Director
  • Danny Saravia-Varela
    Producer
  • Elliott Kuhn
    Key Cast
  • Alexys Romo
    Key Cast
  • Ethan Go
    Director of Photography
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 52 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 10, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, FX6
  • Aspect Ratio:
    17:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University of Southern California
Director Biography - Arian Tomar

Arian Tomar is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and environmental advocate who seeks to use his films to advance climate action, conservation, community building, and sustainability. Now a student at the University of Southern California, Arian has used the platform he's found to advocate for eco storytelling and amplify the organizational impact of the university partners he's worked with, like the Arts and Climate Collective, Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability, USC Sea Grant, and the Office of Sustainability. Motivated by his love of nature and empowered by his home community in Minnesota, Arian hopes to shed light on the small stories of sustainability that we can learn from to make a brighter future possible for all.

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Director Statement

From the first moment I visited Cottonwood in August 2024, I knew I had to to tell its story. Though I've only been living in Los Angeles for the last two years, I had never experienced a place like it before. In the middle of a suburb in the San Fernando Valley, drowned out by the noise of traffic, and the bustle of Kaiser Permanente, was this gem, a sustainability sanctuary. Beyond the haven it created from the overwhelming rhythm of urban life, Cottonwood is a community resource that seeks to educate and empower community members to take part in building something that serves them. If more people can learn from Cottonwood's model of resource sharing and community building, I think it could mean widespread renewal. I hope you watch my film and encourage you to find local leaders like Elliott and Alexys who are paving the way towards a more sustainable and connected future, one step at a time and that you join them.