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The Short Film Showcase spotlights exceptional short videos created by filmmakers from around the web and selected by National Geographic editors. We look for work that affirms National Geographic's mission of inspiring people to care about the planet. The filmmakers created the content presented, and the opinions expressed are their own, not those of the National Geographic Society.





Ryan Neil has spent over a decade working to masterJapanesebonsai. As he shapes and forms these miniature trees, he describes how closely intertwined humans are with them. Filmmaker Ryan Bush captures Neil’s dedication toform andresponsibility he holds while practicing his craft. “If you don’t respect that life and death is a very real partcreative processbonsai … you don’t have anything inend except for a big dead tree.”Visit: theartisanscup.com/ A Film By: Ryan J. Bush ( ryanjbush.com/ Commissioned By: Bonsai Mirai ( bonsaimirai.com/ Creative Direction: The DeSpains ( thedespains.com Opening Title Animation: Caleb Cappock ( uphilldownhill.com/ Music By: C418 - Tracks used: “Taswell” and “Intro” - ( c418.bandcamp.com/ Filmed in Oregon