SHORT OF THE WEEK
“If Only We Had Eyes To See” by Peter Whittenberger
Runtime: 3 minutes 34 seconds
Category: Animation, Climate-Themed Experimental Short
Country of Origin: United States
A Visceral Look at Climate Migration and Human Fragility
In If Only We Had Eyes To See, Peter Whittenberger presents a stark and poetic meditation on the fragility of safety, resources, and privilege in the era of climate catastrophe. Through animation, Whittenberger examines the gatekeepers of safety and wealth, whose power quickly erodes under the pressures of environmental collapse.
The narrative follows a lone figure, trapped by outdated notions of nationalism and land rights, forced to seek safety in a world that denies migration as a fundamental human right. The film’s evocative imagery and layered soundscape prompt viewers to question humanity’s role in sustaining borders amidst global ecological crisis.
Director Biography: Peter Whittenberger
Peter Whittenberger is an interdisciplinary artist and filmmaker whose work explores landscapes as living archives of time and history, containing the data of all Earth’s species. His films and media projects have screened worldwide at festivals including FILE Festival (Brazil), Athens Animfest (Greece), Digerati Emergent Media Festival (USA), and more.
He has received funding from the Puffin Foundation and was awarded Best in Digital Media by the Reno-Tahoe Artists Award. With a BFA in Printmaking (University of Montana) and an MFA in Interdisciplinary Art (University of Nevada, Reno), Whittenberger continues to push the intersections of ecology, history, and digital storytelling.
Currently, he lives in Reno, Nevada with his wife, three dogs, and two ferrets.
Credits & Specifications
- Directed by: Peter Whittenberger
- Runtime: 3:34
- Category: Animation, Climate-Themed Short
- Completion Date: January 2025
- Country of Origin: United States
- Visual Style: Animated, Symbolic, Climate-Driven
- Themes: Climate change, migration, nationalism, human rights
