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Eli Yetter-Bowman

they/them

Eli Yetter-Bowman

White or Caucasian

Queer

Gender queer

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Affiliations

Southern Documentary Fund Fiscal Sponsee Eric & Wendy Schmidt SciComm Fellow International Thespians Society

Impact Campaigns & Crowdfunding

International public health campaign in partnership with the IAFF (international fire union) about toxic chemicals in firefighter gear. Led, spoke at, and directed BURNED film for this campaign which included over 1600 in-person screening events at firehouses, legislative hearings, universities and businesses across the world. Currently leading an educational campaign on teaching young folks to develop critical thinking skills and strong comfort in resolving complex moral issues with our latest documentary THE BOWL. Tour begins 2025 with screening across the globe.

I am a frequent consultant for this and open to new clients, feel free to reach out.

Links to Work

https://etherealfilms.org/projects/

Bio

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.

Projects

BURNED: Protecting the Protectors

The true story of how the spouse of a firefighter revealed exposure to forever chemicals poisoning millions of firefighters worldwide. This film was released as an urgent public service announcement to firefighters everywhere, in partnership with the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF).

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Angel of Alabama

Brenda Hampton was born first of ten to a family in rural Alabama. Her mother taught her to think critically and always fight for justice, so she left for Boston to become an investigator. When her mother fell ill, she returned to Alabama to donate her left kidney. Eventually Brenda’s remaining kidney began to fail and triggered her realization of a larger problem. With her expertise and passion for justice, she identified the source of massive environmental contamination in Alabama. Her years of work have led to a permanent water solution for her community. Her efforts have even pushed international progress including a policy change by the largest fast-food company in the world: McDonalds.

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The Bowl

A film about the toughest questions.

Story Summary

The documentary follows a team of six North Carolina high school girls and their teacher as they prepare for and compete in the National High School Ethics Bowl (NHSEB) at UNC Chapel Hill. The film begins with the team’s journey leading up to the competition, capturing their intense preparation and deep engagement with ethical cases. Through interviews and classroom footage, we see the students’ excitement, nerves, and the bonds they form while grappling with complex moral issues.

The Bowl 's photo still

GenX: The Saga of Forever Chemicals

GenX is an upcoming, four-part documentary about the worst pollution crisis in world history, and how to fix it. How a student researching their mom’s rare illness fell down a rabbit hole to fix the world’s greatest pollution crisis. This journey shines a light on the powerful effect that community advocacy is doing to drive corporations to their knees.

GenX: The Saga of Forever Chemicals  photo still

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