Synopsis

Mbarouk Mussa Omar is from a small East African Island called Pemba. Nearly ten years ago he visited a tiny neighbouring islet called Kokota and was shocked by what he saw. Kokota was teetering towards collapse, and Mbarouk knew climate change and deforestation were the culprits. He desperately wanted to help Kokota, but what could one poor man from Pemba possibly do?   Kokota: The Islet of Hope tells the story of Mbarouk's quest to help Kokota. This short introduces viewers to resilient people living on the front lines of climate change and tells the story of how these unlikely heroes have managed to innovatively adapt to a warming climate while reforesting their island.   This inspirational film promises to leave audiences around the world believing that simple solutions really can have huge impacts.    

Director's statement

I made Kokota because I thought it was a great story with an important message in this time of global climate change. Broadly speaking, I believe we have a tendency to over complicate problems, and I think this story proves that simple solutions can have huge impacts.  

Why this choice?

The beautiful example of a population aware of its mistakes and their consequences, that decided to take matters into its own hands by rethinking every one of its behaviors in order to reduce its carbon footprint.   An inspiring film and the proof that, if given the means, we can change the course of things.