RIVER OF GRASS reimagines Marjory Stoneman Douglas’s seminal 1947 book The Everglades: River of Grass, which reshaped public perception of the Everglades from a useless swamp to a vital freshwater source, still barely enduring today.
After a hurricane, Douglas appears in filmmaker Sasha Wortzel’s dream, inspiring a multifaceted exploration of the Everglades—its rich history and its role in resisting climate collapse. Wortzel delves into Douglas’s book and embarks on a journey through the Everglades with Miccosukee educator Betty Osceola.
Their combined narratives guide viewers through the region’s past and present, featuring stories of local resistance: a mother challenging the polluting sugar industry, a family of crab fishermen spanning six generations, a mother-daughter team fighting invasive species, and a two-spirit Miccosukee poet and environmentalist.
RIVER OF GRASS blends Douglas’s writing, personal narration, compelling present-day footage, and poignant archival material, exploring how America’s foundational stories continue to shape modern life and the future of the Everglades. The film raises vital questions about how we can better prepare for the climate challenges ahead.
Inspired by The Everglades: River of Grass by Marjory Stoneman Douglas.
World Premiere: True/False 2025
International Premiere: Hot Docs
NY Premiere: Margaret Mead Film Festival
Miami Film Festival
Sarasota Film Festival
Directed and Written by: Sasha Wortzel
Produced by: Danielle Varga, Sasha Wortzel
Director of Photography: J. Bennett
Edited by: Rebecca Adorno Dávila, Sasha Wortzel
Consulting Editors: Todd Chandler, Maya Daisy Hawke
Original Music by: Angélica Negrón
Featuring: Betty Osceola, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Houston R. Cypress, Leon Howell, Kina Phillips, Steve Messam, Donna Kalil, Deanna Kalil, Heather Barron, Malka Spektor, Timothy Navin, Bart Stokes, Haylee Stokes, Colton Stokes
