Each year, Wildseeds Fund has the joy of sharing with you talented, radically imaginative and dedicated media makers who innovate gripping stories about climate, land, labor, food and agriculture. These creative, artists, filmmakers, writers, and chefs have dedicated themselves to showing us a future that is possible where we care for each other, our communities and our planet through our food and agriculture practices and policies.
This year, we are excited to present the 10 nominees for the 2025 Wildseeds Fund Impact Media Awards. These trailblazing creators are reshaping food media by amplifying frontline voices, driving systemic change, and inspiring a new wave of storytelling in food and farming. Meet the nominees!
Germaine Jenkins is a visionary urban farmer, activist, and filmmaker from North Charleston, SC, whose work dismantles systemic food apartheid. Nominated for her docu-series Rooted Stories, Jenkins chronicles her six-year journey transforming Fresh Future Farm (FFF) into a mutual aid venture and a beacon of hope. The film highlights her mission to empower Black communities, support radical farmers and food entrepreneurs, and champion wellness through bold leadership and storytelling. Rooted Stories doubles as a social impact campaign, driving change for Black women, femme farmers, and food justice nationwide. View Germaine's nominated work here.
Reem Assil and Jibrael Younes are nominated for their immersive docu-series Arabiyya Series, based on Reem’s book celebrating Arab women, food, culture, and resilience. A James Beard Award nominee, Reem Assil is a leading voice on Palestinian culture, food justice, and healing. Her work embodies radical joy and resistance, making the Arabiyya Series a vital contribution to media in 2025. Learn more about Reem Assil’s inspiring work and support the vision behind the Arabiyya Series.
Samuel Contreras highlights California’s water justice struggles through powerful documentaries. The Battle for Matheny Tract tells the story of Tulare County residents uniting to address arsenic-contaminated drinking water. Flow of Justice, created with Fresno State students, shares stories from Central Valley families fighting for clean water in communities like East Orosi and Alpaugh. Learn more about The Battle for Matheny Tract here and Flow of Justice here. View Samuel's nominated work here.
Carmela Wilkins, founder of Fufu, empowers Black and African Diasporic communities to reclaim food sovereignty through decolonial design and community-led solutions. Her projects include Strange Fruit Market, tackling food apartheid, and creative direction for Ikenga Wines, a bio-designed palm wine company. Inspired by the West African Griot tradition, Carmela’s work bridges food justice, storytelling, and innovation using 2D and 3D technologies. View Carmela's nominated work here.
Saqib Keval and Norma Listman are nominated for their work as chefs and activists, using diverse media platforms to advocate for restaurant worker rights, decolonization, and food culture preservation. Featured in Netflix’s Chef’s Table (Season 7, Episode 4), they shared their powerful activism and movement-building journey. Co-founders of the celebrated restaurant Masala y Maiz, Saqib also co-founded People’s Kitchen Collective, a food-centered political education initiative blending art and activism. Discover their impactful work on Instagram @masalaymaiz.
Tory Stephens is nominated for his work as the creative force behind Imagine 2200: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors, a Grist Magazine series that explores climate fiction. Launched in 2022, Tory has produced two impactful compilations. As Grist’s Climate Fiction Creative Manager, he uses storytelling to champion climate justice and inspire green, just futures. Known for transforming organizations and shifting culture, Tory is also a resource generator and community builder for social justice. Explore the Imagine 2200 series here.
Myriah Towner is nominated for her emerging docu-series Black Farmer Stories, a digital platform dedicated to preserving the legacy and agricultural knowledge of Black farmers in the U.S. Through her work with nonprofits and community organizations, Towner has supported local farmers and farm-based education efforts.
As a storyteller and digital curator, Towner has contributed to major exhibitions like African/American: Making the Nation’s Table and projects such as the Emmett Till Project. Discover more about Black Farmer Stories.
James Shields is nominated for his multimedia docu-series Watermelon Couch, which amplifies the voices of Black farmers, activists, and community leaders across the U.S. Launched in 2022 for Juneteenth, the Watermelon Couch project documents stories related to food justice, Black culture, and the climate crisis. James has traveled nationwide, from Florida to Tennessee, capturing powerful narratives and fostering community. He also creates artwork, including designs and prints inspired by his travels, and is working on a cooperative coloring book focused on the history of cooperatives. Learn more about his impactful work.
Masika Henson is nominated for her role as host and co-narrator of Digging In, a film that explores America’s food and agricultural systems. From California to South Dakota, Masika uncovers the forces shaping our food supply and highlights those envisioning a sustainable future. A climate justice advocate and member of the Grants Advisory Board at Wildseeds Fund, Masika focuses on building resilient communities and tackling climate change through the connection between land and water systems. Digging In screenings include outreach to mobilize support for climate and food systems change. Learn more about Digging In and Masika Henson’s impactful work.
