Film Maker Bio

Born in Pasadena, California, Robert Lundahl received his B.F.A. from the University of Oregon, and studied at the University of Southern California (Cinema Studies). As a student, Lundahl produced a short documentary titled “The Burden of Proof,” on the use of Agent Orange in National Forests.

burden_of_proof2The film was screened for a U.S. Senate subcommittee on the environment. Lundahl developed his skills as a location cinematographer during three years shooting nationally syndicated sports and entertainment programs for John Fabian Productions. He also produced more than 100 public relations, consumer marketing and training programs and campaigns, and created several high-end films for the investor community.

In 1990, he formed Robert Lundahl and Associates LLC, a San Francisco company creating innovative communications products and strategies. Beginning in 1999, Lundahl moved to series production with” Digital Journey,” an award-winning series of 39 short (3:30) programs exploring the human side of technology – its cultural, environmental, and social contexts. The series was filmed around the globe for broadcast on U.S. public television and Canada’s TVO. Lundahl also directed and photographed key episodes including an Emmy Award-winning trilogy on E-Commerce in China.

Lundahl develops independent programming for television. Filmed in Washington State, “Unconquering the Last Frontier,” explores the causes and effects of the ongoing salmon crisis in the Pacific Northwest, focusing on the Elwha River. The film was released to broadcast in 2005 and has been honored by film festivals around the world. The film tells the story of the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe’s struggle to survive in the shadow of hydropower development.

Lundahl’s documentary, “Song on the Water” (2005), takes viewers along with 50 indigenous canoes, their crews, and communities on a modern-day voyage to a traditional potlatch. Filled with beautiful photography and inspiring Coast Salish songs and cultural expressions, the one-hour film explores what the voyage means to the “pullers,” ground crews, and elders who share the waves, the traditions, and a vision of a positive future for Coast Salish youth. The film has been aired on public television stations across the U.S.

“PayDirt,” an investigative documentary on housing development on polluted brown-fields sites and military bases (2009/2010), created with partners Homeowners of Texas, salem-news.com, Clean Water Now!, GreenAction, Californians for Renewable Energy, The Law Offices of Joe and Angela Alioto, The San Francisco Bay Guardian, and others, was produced for FDI in 2010.

Lundahl’s work has earned numerous awards, including the Emmy, the International Television Association’s “Golden Vision” Award, the U.S. International Film and Video Festival’s “Silver Screen,” I.A.A.V.C.’s “Cindy,” and the “Telly” Award. His productions have been screened at festivals including the EarthVision International Environmental Video Festival (First Place), the Columbus International Film & Video Festival (Honorable Mention), the International Wildlife Film Festival (Finalist), the American Anthropological Association Film & Video Festival, Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Festival, REAL2REEL Documentary Film Festival, El Festival del Riu (Spain), Great Lakes Independent Film Festival, Moab Film Festival, Anchorage Film Festival.


People are talking to Robert Lundahl. People like Death Valley Jim Mattern and Dezert Magazine’s John Grasson. They’re talking about “The Green Destruction of the Desert”, and “The Desert Renewable Energy Plan,” KPTR, Palm Springs. Progressive Talk Radio. 44:30 and 45:27 TRT.

Robert Lundahl is “becoming a very well spoken individual in the environmental movement”

“Death Valley Jim” Death Valley Jim Radio Program, 2015.

“The communication and outreach conducted by Mr. Lundahl for La Cuna (Blythe, CA), Protect Our Communities Foundation (San Diego, CA) and CAlifornians for Renewable Energy – CARE (Santa Cruz, CA) played a major role in delaying or stopping some of the most damaging utility-scale renewable projects. He has also been an effective communicator of the no-impact urban rooftop solar alternative to high impact desert projects.”

-Bill Powers P.E.

“I am sure you have heard by now, the fish are already starting to utilize the habitat up above where the (Hydroelectric Dam) projects used to be located. It is awesome, and it is going to keep getting better. I just want to say that I know in my heart that your film and the work you did had a huge impact on the ways things turned out and I am still very grateful to you for that work you did.”

-Rachel Hagaman (Kowalski), Economic Development Director, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

“More than 7 years ago, I was appointed by Chief Oliver Red Cloud of the Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council, to continue my dad’s treaty work. A few months ago, I was appointed to the Elders Advisory Council for the Tribal Historical Preservation Office (THPO). This appointment has given me opportunity to go to, so far, the Black Hills Management Plan meeting and the Oceti Sakowin Power Project meeting, to witness, from our traditional form of governance view, and bring back and present to the People the information shared by the participants, including hand-outs. My appointment to continue my dad’s treaty work is now being visualized.

Because I was sent to the Oceti Sakowin Power Project, the screening of WHO ARE MY PEOPLE? is part of my report to our People. According to our traditional form of governance, there will also be a Feed and discussion of the film how the FAST TRACK power project will affect our Inherent right to be Ihanktunwan Oyate from this day forward. Also the filmmaker will be available on SKYPE for the discussion of this documentary.”

-Pat Brock, Yankton Sioux Elder, Descendant of Chief Smutty Bear, Lakota Elders Advisory Council for the Tribal Historical Preservation Office (THPO).

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