Creating scientific programming that engages general audiences is an art form. One skilled practitioner of that art form is Jared Lipworth, head of HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, who was recently recognized for his accomplishments with The New York Academy of Sciences 2025 Communicating Science Award.

‘Turtle Walker’ is a 75-minute documentary on the life and career of turtle conservationist Satish Bhaskar, who surveyed more than 4,000 kilometres of the India’s coastline.

In this interview with Mongabay India, Taira Malaney, the director of Turtle Walker talks about why she chose Bhaskar as the subject of her documentary, the challenges of filming with turtles and the role of environmental films.

"Every Little Thing" is an intimate and moving documentary about injured hummingbirds and the singular woman working to save them. We spoke with the local star of the film, hummingbird rehabilitator Terry Masear. Learn more about Terry’s work here. “Every Little Thing” is playing in Portland at the Living Room Theater through Thursday April 3rd.

The Calling: A Medical School Journey

dir. Asako Gladsjo

"An engaging, endearing documentary follows a group of students at New York's Albert Einstein College of Medicine." - John Anderson, Wall Street Journal

Produced by Emaho Films and backed by Tiger Baby, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios and Ceres, the 75-minute documentary is already winning international recognition and is set to be screened at the DC Environmental Film Festival 2025 (DCEFF 2025). Mongabay is a media partner for DCEFF 2025 and has interviewed some filmmakers as part of this collaboration.

The Calling: A Medical School Journey
PBS, 10pm
Challenges faced by medical students at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York, are the focus of this documentary special.

Follow the intellectual and emotional journey of a group of medical students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx in the new PBS documentary “The Calling: A Medical School Journey”. Captured through verité scenes and personal video diaries, the film offers an inside look at America’s healthcare system through the eyes of these aspiring practitioners as they learn what it takes to become a doctor in one of the country’s most underserved communities.

None of the three shows recently admitted into the crowded field of hospital drama-- the electrifying 'Berlin ER,' the more mainstream 'The Pitt' and the do-not resuscitate 'Watson'- are what one would call "feel good." But "The Calling" is: Nonfiction, no-frills and nothing less than inspiring, it follows a group of students at New York's Albert Einstein College of Medicine who may not represent the entire future of American medicine, but are devoted and grateful. And their happiness is contagious. 

Theatrical & Streaming Releases - New & Recommended - March 14-March 20, 2025

The Calling: A Medical School Journey (2024) - A documentary following a group of medical students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx. (PBS)