Films with Impact

In 1971, John Francis embarked on a journey that would redefine environmental activism after witnessing the 1971 oil spill in San Francisco Bay. He took a 17-year vow of silence, renounced motorized transportation and began walking across the United States, seeking a deeper understanding of humanity’s relationship with the Earth.

This transformative experience led him to become the “Planetwalker,” inspiring generations to reflect on their role in environmental stewardship and fostering a connection between the conservation movement and communities of color.

‘Planetwalker’ focuses on the period of John's life from the oil spill through his meandering 20-year journey across the states where he resumes speaking to work on oil spill legislation with the US Coast Guard. During this time, it seemed like the whole world, every creed and color, saw John pass by and interacted with him if only fleetingly. By tracking some of these characters down, we explore the weblike and sometimes deeply personal consequences of John’s decades of pilgrimage.