Amplifier of underrepresented, impact-driven stories

Eli Yetter-Bowman is a genderqueer documentary filmmaker, science communicator, and founder of Ethereal Films. While a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eli uncovered the story of GenX contamination in their hometown of Wilmington. That discovery led them to begin a years-long investigation into PFAS chemicals and to build a production company from scratch to tell the story. Since then, their films have reached international audiences, including BURNED: Protecting the Protectors, produced with actor Mark Ruffalo, and The Bowl, which opened the 2025 BEYOND Film Festival.

Eli’s work bridges medicine, science, and advocacy, and they now serve as an affiliate researcher at UNC Chapel Hill. Some of their awards include the National Academies’ Excellence in Science Communication Award, a Southern Circuit Fellowship, the title of Honorable Colonel, and nearly one million dollars in grants supporting documentary projects. Their films have been shown at festivals, in classrooms, and in fire departments across the country, sparking conversations about health, ethics, and accountability.

Alongside filmmaking, Eli’s creative practice extends into theatre, music, and public speaking, where they bring the same energy and presence that inform their documentaries. They are also a dedicated rock climber and once won a computer competition in Chapel Hill in 2025. Inspired by the love and creativity of their parents, Eli continues to merge art and advocacy, showing students and audiences that storytelling can be both a tool for change and an expression of joy.