Directed by filmmaker Petr Krejčí and produced by the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) Europe, the new documentary Forested Future is a feature-length immersion into the Appalachian forest communities of the eastern US. Inspired by A Trillion Trees, a book by the English environmental journalist Fred Pearce, the film is a visually rich and wide-ranging exploration of how, in an age of climate crisis, our relationship with trees and forests might hold the key to a positive future.

“I have always believed that the heart of filmmaking lies in telling stories that matter, stories that can ignite change, inspire action, and awaken a collective sense of responsibility. I am convinced that Forested Future tells such a story,” said Petr Krejčí.

As the world has become increasingly urbanized, humanity’s sense of connection to nature has weakened. Detached from the land, humans are disconnected from the materials we depend on to build and furnish our homes and towns. Forested Future is an attempt to reestablish that connection. 

Following the lives and work of the people whose lives are woven into the story of America’s hardwood forests—foresters, farmers, artisans, ecologists, timber workers, and more—Forested Future gently but compellingly makes the case for a traditional model of land stewardship that is in tune with the cycles of nature and the rhythm of the forest.

By learning to see beyond the short term, thinking in ‘tree time’ rather than human lifespans, the film argues that society can embrace regenerative practice, meet material needs, heal this broken bond with nature, and find solutions to some of the most urgent problems of today.

“As humans, we love wood and instinctively engage with it, having used it to build and decorate our environments [for] thousands of years. Although today’s societal pressures leave many people feeling that we shouldn’t cut down trees, not all forests are disappearing, and this film dispels that myth. It tells an extraordinary story of reforestation and community engagement. We believe architects and designers will be able to make more informed decisions if they have a better understanding of this amazing resource. This film is a beautiful way to engage them,” commented David Venables, European director, AHEC.

Having screened around Europe at the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival in the Czech Republic and the Barcelona’s BARQ International Architecture Film Festival, Forested Future premiered in the UK at the Institute of Contemporary Arts on 3 November 2025. Besides English, the film is also available in Czech, French, Italian, German, and Spanish editions.

Photo credit: Petr Krejci