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telling stories. challenging systems. building a new future for filmmakers.

Wild Commons was built to challenge the outdated distribution models that dominate documentary filmmaking. This blog explores the stories, communities, and characters behind our films, while examining how independent filmmakers are building a new future for environmental storytelling.

Meet the team

Blog

Meet the team - Hannah Mulvany

Hannah Mulvany, our Communications Director, discusses her journey into the wildlife film sector and how it’s made her a passionate advocate of independent film.

Meet the team - JACKSON PERKINS

Meet the team - HAYDEN HANKE

Before picking up a camera, Hayden was photographing distant galaxies from his cul-de-sac. That shift in perspective — from the cosmos to the creatures closest to home — set him on a path combining science, visual storytelling, and conservation. Here, Hayden reflects on his journey from astrophotography to filmmaker engagement, and why images and stories may be our most powerful tools for protecting the natural world.

Meet the team - Kika Tuff, Ph.D.

Before becoming a filmmaker, Kika was a scientist studying deforestation. But after years researching a problem the world already knew how to solve, she had to accept that data alone rarely changes human behavior. Here, Kika reflects on her transition from science to filmmaking, and why emotional connection is a critical tool for confronting ecological collapse.

Meet the Team - Matt Podolsky

After 18 years producing nature documentaries — including a Sundance audience award winner picked up by National Geographic — Matt knows firsthand how broken independent film distribution has become. That's exactly why he co-founded Wild Commons.

Hannah Mulvany 9/8/26 Hannah Mulvany 9/8/26

Chasing Ghosts - What Was Really Pollinating the Ghost Orchid?

Chasing Ghosts is a story about discovery, science and conservation. Taking place deep in the Florida Everglades, this film contains unrivaled beauty and a new take on the scientific process. Photographers Carlton Ward Jr., Mac Stone, and ecologist Peter Houlihan tell the story of discovery and conservation through their experiences and breathtaking cinematography.