Head for Highland is a powerful, immersive documentary that redefines the impact that natural disasters have on human life framed by the stories of the displaced, activists, artists, politicians, and scientists and told through the lens of those who refuse to let injustice, climate inaction, and societal fracturing go unnoticed and unchallenged.
Spanning 20 years of verité filmmaking, Head for Highland weaves its many stories around the work of three avant-garde artist-activists—Tannis Kowalchuk, Mayfield Brooks, and Leese Walker — each pioneering bold, performative strategies to mobilize communities.
Together, these artists push artistic boundaries to confront some of the most pressing issues of our time — climate justice, inequality, and eco-anxiety.
At a time when the world feels increasingly unchangeable—dominated by political inertia, climate despair, and deep social divisions—this film captures the raw, unfiltered determination of the victims and the inspiration of socially engaged artists who use their creative voices as tools for radical transformation. Their lives and work offers a blueprint for action, resilience, and hope.
Beyond individual artistry, Head for Highland also creates a chorus with over 150 audio and video interviews with displaced families, activists, community leaders, and a concerned public. With these, the film constructs a living, breathing tapestry of voices — voices that might otherwise go unheard. As these artists create work that ignites local action, the film’s chorus underscores a vital truth: community of differing voices is a force capable of reshaping reality, bridging divides, and galvanizing movements.
