Janet Yang and Rai Cinema Collaborate on Borneo Rainforest Documentary ‘Shinta’ at Cannes Market
EXCLUSIVE: Janet Yang, former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and producer of The People vs. Larry Flynt, is part of the team behind the upcoming environmental documentary Shinta. The film follows a young Dayak girl and Indigenous activist, Emanuela Shinta, on a journey through the rainforests of Borneo.
Developed, written, and produced by Michela Scolari of Paolo Rossi: The Heart of a Champion, the documentary is directed by Paolo Sodi, known for Andrea Bocelli’s documentary, The Journey.
The documentary portrays a 10-year-old Dayak girl who aspires to save her family and the vanishing landscapes of Borneo, threatened by pollution and deforestation. Accompanied by activist Emanuela Shinta, she embarks on a quest into the rainforest to locate the Dream Wanderers—legendary shamans believed to connect humanity with nature. The film explores the intersection of myth and reality as the young girl discovers that the strength to protect her homeland may lie within her own voice, courage, and the collective power of a generation committed to environmental advocacy.
Currently in post-production, Scolari is set to attend the Cannes Film Festival to discuss the project with potential partners. The initial concept was developed by Scolari alongside Jaqueline Illy and Federico Gariboldi.
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The film represents a global co-production involving the U.S., Romania, Switzerland, and Italy. Producers include Scolari, Yang, Brenda Emmett, and Vince Emmett for American Troubadours, Bradamante Entertainment in Romania, Angelo Boffa and Remo Muggli for Carm-One Productions in Switzerland, and Filmintuscany and RAI Cinema in Italy.
Yang provided essential guidance and support during the development of the project, advocating for the narrative from its inception. Shinta is envisioned as the first feature documentary in a series that will highlight the power of female activism in regions facing significant ecological challenges.
“At its heart, this is a story that brings forward the voices of two women, and through them, the powerful voice of nature itself,” Scolari stated. “Shinta is a return to an ancestral, pure and direct love for our primordial mother, nature. It is a fairy tale—a love story between two young girls and the natural world, one that I believe can help us all see it again with new eyes.”
Scolari further emphasized her mission, stating, “Across documentaries, television series, and narrative films, my purpose remains the same: to tell powerful stories that can awaken conscience and, hopefully, help shape a better society, one that listens to and truly recognizes the value of women.”
