Xingu Amazon Basin
In partnership with the Kīsêdjê and Yudjá communities.
Impact in Numbers
17
Indigenous members trained in filmmaking
11
Indigenous members trained in geospatial mapping
+ 2.6M
Hectares of forest within Xingu territory preserved
Biodiversity Hotspot
Xingu Amazon Basin
Hectares
2,642,000
Ecosystem Variety
Rainforest, Rivers
Species Richness
600 fish species, 153 mammal species
Background
The first GeoStory Camps took place in the Xingu Amazon Basin with the Kīsêdjê and Yudjá Indigenous communities in late 2021 and early 2022.
These communities, living in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, face land grabs threatening their livelihoods, biodiversity, and climate. Their territories lie on the frontline of deforestation.
In March and April 2021, Brazil’s Xingu River Basin lost 29,191 hectares of rainforest - double the size of New York City - at a rate of 196 trees per minute, marking a 40% increase from the previous year.
From Skills to Legal Action
Phase I: Building Skills
We start with a skills-based curriculum. Participants learn the fundamentals of filmmaking and geospatial mapping, mastering storytelling, technical camera work, and mapping techniques. This foundational phase equips them to document their realities and advocate for their land.
Phase II: Gathering Evidence
The second phase builds on earlier training with an advanced workshop focused on evidence-gathering techniques and local human rights and environmental law. Using a human rights toolkit, participants connect filmmaking and mapping to concrete human rights issues. This phase empowers them to craft impactful, evidence-based stories that directly address violations of Indigenous rights and claims.
Phase III: Litigation & Preservation
The final phase focuses on transforming stories and maps into actionable tools for legal and environmental protection. Indigenous participants, supported by local environmental lawyers, use their film and mapping content as evidence in court cases aimed at defending their ancestral lands. Together, we help communities define legal objectives, prepare documentation, and present compelling cases that advocate for their rights and protect their territories.
This phase not only addresses immediate threats but also ensures long-term preservation. By using this evidence in courtrooms and advocacy efforts, we aim to secure 2,642,000 hectares of rainforest within the Xingu Indigenous territory, safeguarding its biodiversity and cultural heritage for future generations.
denotes that phase is underway
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Evidence-Based Storytelling
At the GeoStory Camps, participants began their journey into filmmaking by mastering essential skills like storyboarding, shotlist creation, and pre-production techniques. They then delved into hands-on training with 4K video cameras, exploring composition, lighting, and sound recording to capture high-quality footage in any environment. Drone operation and interview techniques were also integral parts of the curriculum, equipping participants with advanced tools to tell compelling stories. By the end of the workshop, participants used their newfound skills to produce impactful short films on social issues they identified, amplifying their voices through powerful visual storytelling.
Mapping to Protect Ancestral Land
The GeoStory Camps also focused on GIS mapping, enabling participants to defend their territories through geospatial data. They learned to create detailed maps of their ancestral rainforests using GPS devices and ArcGIS software. These maps became critical tools for defining and safeguarding their land.
Participants further advanced their skills by integrating real-time data on deforestation and fire detection into their maps. With training on analyzing tree cover loss, identifying hot spots, and tracking fire alerts, they gained the ability to monitor environmental threats and take decisive action to protect their forests.
In collaboration with our partner, Associação Indígena Kīsêdjê, we have established an Indigenous-led multi-stakeholder working group to guide the final phases of the project.
This group is dedicated to developing effective strategies that combine mapping and videography skills to support future litigation and environmental advocacy. Bringing together Indigenous leaders, experts in filmmaking and geospatial mapping, and specialists in environmental and criminal law, the working group fosters a truly collaborative process. By ensuring all voices are heard, the group creates a participatory approach to introducing film and spatial technologies. The focus is on producing materials that can serve as compelling evidence in court cases while continuously assessing and monitoring the project’s impact. This collective effort strengthens the protection of ancestral lands and helps safeguard the ecosystems that are vital to both Indigenous communities and the planet.
