Dune Forest

Driven by a determination to combat desertification—a crisis predicted to claim 90% of the planet's land by 2050— landscape architect Louis De Jaeger embarks on a 7-year mission to transform a dune into a food forest.

The documentary captures the grit and ingenuity required to regenerate soil and create sustainable ecosystems. Through innovative techniques like nutrient recycling, composting, and using "weeds" as free fertilizers, Louis turns infertile sand into rich, organic soil, supporting a productive food forest.

  • Liener Van Hauwaert
    Director
  • Liener Van Hauwaert
    Writer
  • Louis De Jaeger
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 14 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 11, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Belgium
  • Country of Filming:
    Belgium
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Liener Van Hauwaert

Liener Van Hauwaert is a Belgian filmmaker and environmental innovator passionate about telling stories that inspire change and action.

Combining a background in visual storytelling with hands-on experience in sustainable practices, Liener’s work focuses on the intersection of humanity and the environment.

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Director Statement

As a filmmaker and environmentalist, I believe in the power of storytelling to ignite change and inspire action. Dune Forest is more than just a film—it's a testament to the resilience of both nature and human determination.

This project taught me that regeneration is possible, even in the most unlikely places, and that hope often begins with a single step.

My goal with this film is to share that journey and encourage others to see challenges not as barriers but as opportunities to create something transformative.

Through Dune Forest, I want to remind audiences that the smallest actions can lead to profound impact when fueled by persistence and care for the planet.