Arian Tomar is a Hmong-American filmmaker and environmentalist, born and based in Minnesota. Since 2020, he has directed documentaries about how people interact with and deepen connections to their environment. By documenting these interactions, Arian contributes to a practice known as narrative ecology that humanizes environmental concepts and grounds science in lived experiences and stories. In 2022, Arian received a Youth Climate Activism Award from the Institute for Sustainability Education and Action for his contribution to youth focused climate storytelling and education in British Columbia with Take A Stand: Youth for Conservation. Arian is a graduate from Pearson College UWC, one of 17 schools part of a global movement to create a more just, equitable, peaceful, and sustainable future.

Arian received his BFA in Film and Television Production from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts with a minor in Entrepreneurship from the Marshall School of Business. His internationally award-winning documentary films incorporating narrative ecology have screened at over a dozen festivals internationally, bringing local stories to global audiences. As a student, Arian worked with the USC Arts and Climate Collective to coordinate the 2025 and 2026 Eco Media Festivals, an award-winning student showcase of films and media art dedicated to environmental storytelling. Arian was also part of the inaugural cohort of Hayes Barnard Sustainability Fellowship, a professional development program dedicated to interdisciplinary sustainability action and transformational leadership.

Arian is also a practiced brand storyteller, partnering with organizations to craft authentic media that drives engagement, promotes brand values, and connects with audiences. His partners and clients have included Where There Be Dragons, Youth Climate Corps BC, Belwin Conservancy, USC’s Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability, USC Sea Grant, the LA Public Library, Cottonwood Urban Farm, Holdfast Aquaculture, Cerca Cultivation, and Friends of the Boundary Waters.

Most recently, Arian contributed to Be the People, a national storytelling campaign to uplift stories of American social impact and local action from diverse perspectives across the country. These stories challenge the perception that the U.S. is hopelessly divided by uniting viewers across the political spectrum around solving issues that impact all Americans. Arian highlighted five Minnesotans driven to mentor youth, deepen connections to nature, and empower active lifestyles. You can watch Arian’s Be the People stories here.