SAN FRANCISCO, CA — KQED proudly announces the upcoming PBS premiere of GIANTS RISING, a breathtaking new documentary that takes viewers on an unforgettable journey into the heart of America’s most iconic forests. Through stunning cinematography, vivid animation, and powerful storytelling, GIANTS RISING unveils the secrets, superpowers, and saga of the coast redwoods—the tallest and among the oldest living beings on Earth.
This epic tale celebrates the redwoods’ majesty and mystery while revealing our deep, ever-evolving relationship with them. Living links to the past, these towering giants also hold clues to humanity’s future. Their extraordinary resilience—able to withstand fire, capture carbon, and nurture life across centuries—offers lessons in adaptation, balance, and hope in the face of a rapidly changing planet.
Through the voices of scientists, artists, Native community leaders, and others whose lives are intertwined with these remarkable trees, GIANTS RISING explores the redwoods’ profound ecological importance and their enduring place in our cultural imagination.
“GIANTS RISING is more than a film about redwoods,” said Lisa Landers, producer and director of the film. “It’s a story about resilience, renewal, and our shared connection to the natural world. The awe that redwoods inspire is a gateway to accessing a deeper sense of connection to forests everywhere—and to understanding why it’s in our best interest to take care of them.”
In an era when people are more likely to turn on a device than go for a walk in the woods, this cinematic experience can be a powerful tool for rekindling a sense of connection not just to redwoods but to all forests, inspiring people to get out into the trees wherever they live and reap the profound benefits to our physical, emotional and social well-being.