Children of the Wolves
Boise, Idaho | Film Feature
Documentary, Nature
The State of Idaho wants to cull more than half of its wolves. Boise-area high schoolers are raising concerns about the accuracy of state data on Canis lupus, calling for its federal protection. What will it mean for us, wolves, and the future of wildlife management?
Children of the Wolves
Boise, Idaho | Film Feature
Documentary, Nature
1 Campaigns | Idaho, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $20,296 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
86 supporters | followers
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The State of Idaho wants to cull more than half of its wolves. Boise-area high schoolers are raising concerns about the accuracy of state data on Canis lupus, calling for its federal protection. What will it mean for us, wolves, and the future of wildlife management?
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Dir. Barb Kuensting
In 1995, the federal government reintroduced wolves to central Idaho. A few years later, then newly-opened Timberline High School, with the wolf as their mascot, officially adopted a local wolf pack. This meant that as data was collected on wolves, a specific pack near Idaho City was designated as the Timberline "T" Pack. Throughout the 2000s, students would go on wolf tracking trips in the T-Pack's range, but as the wolf population dwindled, slowly the trips dwindled, and interest started to fade... that is, until 2021, when the T-Pack's 8 pups were reported to be slaughtered by federal agents, along with several adult members of the pack. The killings ultimately disbanded what was once the T-Pack.
T-Pack pups playing with an aluminum can on June 29, 2017.
CHILDREN OF THE WOLVES is an observational and expository documentary about the complicated past of wolves in Idaho, shown through the lens of young people fighting to keep them around. The film will follow key players in Teens Restoring Earth’s Environment, a club at Timberline High School, and their efforts to raise awareness about Idaho’s methods of controlling the wolf population– which the state announced in early 2023 will be culled by 60%.
Since then, Ella has been busy giving speeches to Idaho Fish & Game while studying for AP statistics. Sasha has been writing to congressmen in the same hour she’s getting ready for prom. Amid the chaos of growing up, generations of teenagers have gone to D.C., spoken in front of the state legislature and fought for the welfare of packs that are still alive. The fate of the wolves lies in the hands of teens, and whether their message is heard or not.
Ella Driever and Sasha Truax, both executive members of T.R.E.E., leading a meeting during lunch period on November 10, 2023.
This film will use observational moments of kids being kids juxtaposed with them advocating to the masses. We’ll also get a timeline of events from experts in The Nez Perce tribe, wolf biologist Carter Niemeyer, Idaho Fish & Game, as well as environmental groups and local ranchers to provide context and depth to the TREE kids’ message.
Sasha Truax speaking with local Native leader Dallas Gudgell after an Idaho Fish & Game Commissioners Meeting in Lewiston, Idaho on November 16, 2023.
About the Director
I’ve always been interested in the environment, since I was a baby on my parents’ backs as they hiked all over the West, to now as a filmmaker focused on the intersection of people and nature. I’m interested in directing a film about conservation through the lens of the community most impacted, yet least heard. I want to use my voice and platform as a filmmaker to share a youth perspective on western wildlife politics.
Dir. Barb Kuensting leading a climate rally at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri with her scarlet macaw Luna in September 2019.
Sasha and Ella are just a few out of millions of youth interested in working with wildlife, and CHILDREN OF THE WOLVES will help us understand what it’s like to be a young person participating in wildlife politics. Do kids deserve a seat at the table? And perhaps more importantly, what are the consequences of not including the next generation in today’s wildlife decision-making?
The T.R.E.E. teens have been speaking up since 2021 about the lack of federal protection of gray wolves. Will they be successful in their efforts to get the species relisted as endangered, or will their concerns go ignored again?
And, what does that mean for our futures?
The Goal
Let's get this film really started!
This is an independent film with grassroots support, and this crowdfunding fundraiser reflects that. Our meticulous budget management involved handling every aspect either in-house or with friends of the film-- with 100% of the film being self-funded so far.
Now, as we embark on this at least year-long film journey, we're reaching out to you. This campaign is crucial for getting our film off the ground. The funds from this fundraiser are not meant to sustain the post-production process, but only the production phase.To fully-fund the production phase, we are aiming for a goal of $20,000, and a stretch-goal of $25,000.
Seed & Spark require that we hit at least 80% of our fundraising goal within 30 days. We receive ZERO funds if we don't reach 80% of our goal, making your support absolutely vital. Join us in making a meaningful impact with your contribution!
To ensure the success of our project, we aim to achieve the following with the support of this campaign:
Basic Needs:
Staff: We need to get our crew members paid! This includes the director, producers, director of photography, and camera operators.
Partnerships: We need to compensate our co-producers Wild Lens Inc., as well as our partnering production company that is supplying camera, sound, lighting, printing, and computer storage equipment.
Wolf Tracking Opportunity: If there's just one way we influence the cast members with our production, it would be with a wolf-tracking trip in Yellowstone National Park. Providing the youth working to protect wolves with an opportunity to see wild members of the species is the only thing we are doing to directly impact cast members.
Travel for DP: Our Director of Photography, Jeremy La Zelle, is based out-of-state and will need to be flown to Boise a handful of times throughout the course of the film.
Contingency/Petty Cash: Every production needs a small portion of funds set aside for unforeseen circumstances.Sony FX30
We are currently renting cameras, but having a designated camera for the film would eliminate a lot of the cost and hassle of renting.
Incentives!
Choose to donate just because, or receive some digital and/or physical goodies along with donating!
**There will be additional AMAZING incentives added throughout the campaign, so stay tuned!!!***
Here is what the personalized thank-you note will look like!
Here is the front and back of the official t-shirt!
How Can You Help?
- SHARE THE FILM! In order for us to reach our fundraising goal, we need to reach beyond our personal networks.
- FUND THE FILM! Join our team and snag a fun perk while making a contribution to a noble cause. *Incentives are always optional*
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Wolf Tracking Opportunity
Costs $2,000
Providing T.R.E.E. members with the opportunity to go wolf-tracking will help them put a face to the animals they've been advocating for.
Staff Wages
Costs $6,000
We need to get our crew members paid! This includes the director, producers, director of photography, and camera operators.
Partnerships
Costs $6,000
We need to compensate our co-producers Wild Lens Inc., as well as our partnering production company that is supplying equipment.
DP Travel
Costs $3,500
Our Director of Photography is based out-of-state and will need to be flown to Boise a handful of times throughout the production.
Fundraiser Merchandise
Costs $2,500
We need to supply merchandise and pay artists for our incentives.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Barb Kuensting | Director
Barb is a documentary filmmaker, editor, and biology nerd. Her first film, CARRIE IN CONTROL (2022), played at the St. Louis International Film Festival and others, winning an Innovative Journalism award from the world-renowned Missouri School of Journalism. With Children of the Wolves, she aims to bring hope to young people about their futures on planet earth.
Seth Randal | Executive Producer
Seth is an Idaho-based filmmaker who has produced or directed numerous documentaries, including THE FALL OF '55 (2006). He also works as a crew member on shows for networks including A&E, Discovery, Food Network and Fox. During his career in local TV, he produced spot news coverage honored with a National Edward R. Murrow award.
Matthew Podolsky | Executive Producer
Matt, president of Wild Lens Collective, is a documentary filmmaker, podcaster, long distance hiker, husband and father. He co-directed the Sundance award winning film SEA OF SHADOWS (2019), along with the Emmy-nominated BLUEBIRD MAN (2014). Before launching his career as a documentarian, Matthew spent several years working as a seasonal field biologist, working on a variety of songbird research projects.
Jeremy La Zelle | Director of Photography
Jeremy is a leading photographer, cinematographer, and editor. Renowned for his versatile skills, Jeremy has produced, written, shot, and directed captivating and informative content for National Geographic, Discovery Channel, History Channel, and other prominent networks. His commitment extends to creating impactful media content for global NGOs, nonprofits, charities, and research organizations, ensuring that their stories are meticulously documented and presented to the world. Jeremy has recorded wolves specifically, making him our first choice in a director of photography.
Wild Lens Collective | Production Partner
CHILDREN OF THE WOLVES is a co-production of the Wild Lens Collective, a 501(c)3 organization that serves as both a non-profit production company and an artist collective. WLC produces impactful content focused on environmental issues, while facilitating learning opportunities and mentorship amongst our members. Wild Lens co-produced the feature documentary, SEA OF SHADOWS, which won the Audience Award at Sundance in 2019 and was distributed by National Geographic. Wild Lens has produced numerous award-winning short documentaries, including the Emmy-nominated BLUEBIRD MAN. In addition to films, Wild Lens also produces the podcast Earth to Humans, an environmentally-focused interview series.
Light Bender Media | Production Partner
This film is also in co-production with Light Bender Media, a local for-hire production company that specializes in drone videography, weddings, and corporate video projects custom to each of their clients. They work with Boise companies such as ESI, Saint Alphonsus, and ICOM.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Dir. Barb Kuensting
In 1995, the federal government reintroduced wolves to central Idaho. A few years later, then newly-opened Timberline High School, with the wolf as their mascot, officially adopted a local wolf pack. This meant that as data was collected on wolves, a specific pack near Idaho City was designated as the Timberline "T" Pack. Throughout the 2000s, students would go on wolf tracking trips in the T-Pack's range, but as the wolf population dwindled, slowly the trips dwindled, and interest started to fade... that is, until 2021, when the T-Pack's 8 pups were reported to be slaughtered by federal agents, along with several adult members of the pack. The killings ultimately disbanded what was once the T-Pack.
T-Pack pups playing with an aluminum can on June 29, 2017.
CHILDREN OF THE WOLVES is an observational and expository documentary about the complicated past of wolves in Idaho, shown through the lens of young people fighting to keep them around. The film will follow key players in Teens Restoring Earth’s Environment, a club at Timberline High School, and their efforts to raise awareness about Idaho’s methods of controlling the wolf population– which the state announced in early 2023 will be culled by 60%.
Since then, Ella has been busy giving speeches to Idaho Fish & Game while studying for AP statistics. Sasha has been writing to congressmen in the same hour she’s getting ready for prom. Amid the chaos of growing up, generations of teenagers have gone to D.C., spoken in front of the state legislature and fought for the welfare of packs that are still alive. The fate of the wolves lies in the hands of teens, and whether their message is heard or not.
Ella Driever and Sasha Truax, both executive members of T.R.E.E., leading a meeting during lunch period on November 10, 2023.
This film will use observational moments of kids being kids juxtaposed with them advocating to the masses. We’ll also get a timeline of events from experts in The Nez Perce tribe, wolf biologist Carter Niemeyer, Idaho Fish & Game, as well as environmental groups and local ranchers to provide context and depth to the TREE kids’ message.
Sasha Truax speaking with local Native leader Dallas Gudgell after an Idaho Fish & Game Commissioners Meeting in Lewiston, Idaho on November 16, 2023.
About the Director
I’ve always been interested in the environment, since I was a baby on my parents’ backs as they hiked all over the West, to now as a filmmaker focused on the intersection of people and nature. I’m interested in directing a film about conservation through the lens of the community most impacted, yet least heard. I want to use my voice and platform as a filmmaker to share a youth perspective on western wildlife politics.
Dir. Barb Kuensting leading a climate rally at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri with her scarlet macaw Luna in September 2019.
Sasha and Ella are just a few out of millions of youth interested in working with wildlife, and CHILDREN OF THE WOLVES will help us understand what it’s like to be a young person participating in wildlife politics. Do kids deserve a seat at the table? And perhaps more importantly, what are the consequences of not including the next generation in today’s wildlife decision-making?
The T.R.E.E. teens have been speaking up since 2021 about the lack of federal protection of gray wolves. Will they be successful in their efforts to get the species relisted as endangered, or will their concerns go ignored again?
And, what does that mean for our futures?
The Goal
Let's get this film really started!
This is an independent film with grassroots support, and this crowdfunding fundraiser reflects that. Our meticulous budget management involved handling every aspect either in-house or with friends of the film-- with 100% of the film being self-funded so far.
Now, as we embark on this at least year-long film journey, we're reaching out to you. This campaign is crucial for getting our film off the ground. The funds from this fundraiser are not meant to sustain the post-production process, but only the production phase.To fully-fund the production phase, we are aiming for a goal of $20,000, and a stretch-goal of $25,000.
Seed & Spark require that we hit at least 80% of our fundraising goal within 30 days. We receive ZERO funds if we don't reach 80% of our goal, making your support absolutely vital. Join us in making a meaningful impact with your contribution!
To ensure the success of our project, we aim to achieve the following with the support of this campaign:
Basic Needs:
Staff: We need to get our crew members paid! This includes the director, producers, director of photography, and camera operators.
Partnerships: We need to compensate our co-producers Wild Lens Inc., as well as our partnering production company that is supplying camera, sound, lighting, printing, and computer storage equipment.
Wolf Tracking Opportunity: If there's just one way we influence the cast members with our production, it would be with a wolf-tracking trip in Yellowstone National Park. Providing the youth working to protect wolves with an opportunity to see wild members of the species is the only thing we are doing to directly impact cast members.
Travel for DP: Our Director of Photography, Jeremy La Zelle, is based out-of-state and will need to be flown to Boise a handful of times throughout the course of the film.
Contingency/Petty Cash: Every production needs a small portion of funds set aside for unforeseen circumstances.Sony FX30
We are currently renting cameras, but having a designated camera for the film would eliminate a lot of the cost and hassle of renting.
Incentives!
Choose to donate just because, or receive some digital and/or physical goodies along with donating!
**There will be additional AMAZING incentives added throughout the campaign, so stay tuned!!!***
Here is what the personalized thank-you note will look like!
Here is the front and back of the official t-shirt!
How Can You Help?
- SHARE THE FILM! In order for us to reach our fundraising goal, we need to reach beyond our personal networks.
- FUND THE FILM! Join our team and snag a fun perk while making a contribution to a noble cause. *Incentives are always optional*
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Wolf Tracking Opportunity
Costs $2,000
Providing T.R.E.E. members with the opportunity to go wolf-tracking will help them put a face to the animals they've been advocating for.
Staff Wages
Costs $6,000
We need to get our crew members paid! This includes the director, producers, director of photography, and camera operators.
Partnerships
Costs $6,000
We need to compensate our co-producers Wild Lens Inc., as well as our partnering production company that is supplying equipment.
DP Travel
Costs $3,500
Our Director of Photography is based out-of-state and will need to be flown to Boise a handful of times throughout the production.
Fundraiser Merchandise
Costs $2,500
We need to supply merchandise and pay artists for our incentives.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Barb Kuensting | Director
Barb is a documentary filmmaker, editor, and biology nerd. Her first film, CARRIE IN CONTROL (2022), played at the St. Louis International Film Festival and others, winning an Innovative Journalism award from the world-renowned Missouri School of Journalism. With Children of the Wolves, she aims to bring hope to young people about their futures on planet earth.
Seth Randal | Executive Producer
Seth is an Idaho-based filmmaker who has produced or directed numerous documentaries, including THE FALL OF '55 (2006). He also works as a crew member on shows for networks including A&E, Discovery, Food Network and Fox. During his career in local TV, he produced spot news coverage honored with a National Edward R. Murrow award.
Matthew Podolsky | Executive Producer
Matt, president of Wild Lens Collective, is a documentary filmmaker, podcaster, long distance hiker, husband and father. He co-directed the Sundance award winning film SEA OF SHADOWS (2019), along with the Emmy-nominated BLUEBIRD MAN (2014). Before launching his career as a documentarian, Matthew spent several years working as a seasonal field biologist, working on a variety of songbird research projects.
Jeremy La Zelle | Director of Photography
Jeremy is a leading photographer, cinematographer, and editor. Renowned for his versatile skills, Jeremy has produced, written, shot, and directed captivating and informative content for National Geographic, Discovery Channel, History Channel, and other prominent networks. His commitment extends to creating impactful media content for global NGOs, nonprofits, charities, and research organizations, ensuring that their stories are meticulously documented and presented to the world. Jeremy has recorded wolves specifically, making him our first choice in a director of photography.
Wild Lens Collective | Production Partner
CHILDREN OF THE WOLVES is a co-production of the Wild Lens Collective, a 501(c)3 organization that serves as both a non-profit production company and an artist collective. WLC produces impactful content focused on environmental issues, while facilitating learning opportunities and mentorship amongst our members. Wild Lens co-produced the feature documentary, SEA OF SHADOWS, which won the Audience Award at Sundance in 2019 and was distributed by National Geographic. Wild Lens has produced numerous award-winning short documentaries, including the Emmy-nominated BLUEBIRD MAN. In addition to films, Wild Lens also produces the podcast Earth to Humans, an environmentally-focused interview series.
Light Bender Media | Production Partner
This film is also in co-production with Light Bender Media, a local for-hire production company that specializes in drone videography, weddings, and corporate video projects custom to each of their clients. They work with Boise companies such as ESI, Saint Alphonsus, and ICOM.