Filbert Minja, a Tanzanian filmmaker and member of the Young Climate Prize Cycle 02 Cohort, uses documentary film as a tool to raise awareness about climate change and amplify voices from the frontlines. His work focuses on telling the stories of underrepresented individuals from marginalized communities—those who are leading climate action but are too often overlooked. Through a series of documentaries and short films, he shares narratives of resilience, innovation, and determination with local and global audiences, connecting viewers to the human side of the climate crisis while presenting actionable solutions.

What sets Filbert’s practice apart is the way he integrates on-the-ground restoration efforts with his storytelling. Alongside his films, he organizes biannual community screenings that not only bring people together to watch and discuss the content, but also encourage dialogue about environmental conservation and climate resilience. As part of the project, he has established a community tree nursery near the Rau Forest Reserve in the Kilimanjaro region, directly contributing to reforestation efforts and providing tangible environmental impact alongside cultural engagement.

Filbert was mentored by Hunter Braithwaite, a New York-based writer and curator whose work spans contemporary art, architecture, and environmental discourse, offering guidance on strengthening the reach and resonance of Filbert’s documentary practice.