Telling Climate Stories with Eshan Vishwakarma of Outspoken Narrative

If you're familiar with our work at EMA, then you know our core belief is that storytelling is essential in saving our planet. Thankfully, we aren't alone. From social media to blogs to podcasts, younger generations are amplifying their voices through creative mediums. Our friend Eshan Vishwakarma is doing all of the above. We spoke with Eshan about his journey from a curious young adult to the founder of Outspoken Narrative, a Harvard student-run documentary studio. 

Hi, Eshan! What motivated you to start your student-run documentary studio, Outspoken Narrative? 

I developed a passion for creating documentaries through my love for the creative field. Before founding Outspoken Narrative, I was a dedicated writer and blogger. During the pandemic, I sought to explore new areas and shifted my focus to documentary filmmaking. Doing so allowed me to escape the mundane and immerse myself in nature, even while isolated.

Are there certain documentaries that inspired you to get into the craft? 

I drew inspiration from various documentaries, including the Planet Earth series, Deep in the Heart, Seaspiracy, Kiss the Ground, and Chasing Coral. These films ignited a love for nature and motivated me to spend more time outdoors. So after that, I picked up a camera and started filming.

What role do documentaries play in the environmental movement? 

While pressing environmental issues are commonly highlighted within nature/environmental documentaries, their larger purpose is to inspire the next generation of changemakers. Just as these films inspired me, I want to inspire youth worldwide through my documentaries. Our organization aims to amplify underrepresented voices and teaches the necessary skills to create award-winning documentaries.

What are a few eco-topics you'd like to see more documentaries about? 

I wish to see more documentaries that showcase the voices of youth affected by climate change and those fighting against corporate greed. Unfortunately, the youth perspective remains underrepresented in the climate space, and I aim to amplify their voices through our documentaries.

With over 30+ projects, you've already accomplished so much! So, what's next for yourself and Outspoken Studios? 

Our primary goal for the next few years is to build our portfolio and reputation within the climate space. We aim to accumulate enough capital to create a feature film nature documentary involving hundreds of high school students nationwide. Consistently involving youth worldwide will allow us to hone our skills and build toward achieving our goals. We hope to share our mission and skills with students worldwide. 

We admire Eshan's generation for taking climate action through storytelling. Check out our EMA Green Seal for Students program, which recognizes students who commit to sustainable practices on sets.