Arian Tomar is a Hmong-American filmmaker and environmentalist, born and based in Minnesota. Since 2020, he has documented and told stories about how people and other animals interact with each other and their environment through a practice known as narrative ecology. In 2022, Arian received a Youth Climate Activism Award from the Institute for Sustainability Education and Action for his contribution to youth led climate storytelling and education in British Columbia with Take A Stand: Youth for Conservation. Arian is a graduate from Pearson College UWC.

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, 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 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, the USC Arts and Climate Collective, USC’s Office of Sustainability, USC’s Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability, USC Sea Grant, the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, the LA Public Library, Cottonwood Urban Farm, Holdfast Aquaculture, and Cerca Cultivation.

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.