Paradeigm Films & Cherimoya Pictures Win Best Conservation Film at the 2025 Catalina Film Festival
For Immediate Release
San Diego, CA — Tuesday, September 30, 2025 — Paradeigm Films, in collaboration with Cherimoya Pictures, is honored to announce that The Most Biodiverse Place in America has been awarded Best Conservation Film at the 2025 Catalina Film Festival.
Far from a traditional nature documentary, The Most Biodiverse Place in America tells the story of San Diego’s extraordinary ecosystems through the eyes of native San Diegan John Fiske and his family, with a special focus on his children Johnny (8) and Charlie (6). Together, they uncover the natural wonders hidden in plain sight, guided by experts who reveal why San Diego County is the most biodiverse place in the United States.
One of the film’s most striking sequences follows Johnny and Charlie as they venture into the pitch-black Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves — one of San Diego’s most unique and little-known ecosystems. Guided by naturalist Arnie, the children shine flashlights across jagged walls and hidden chambers, learning that the caves are home to creatures like the elusive desert recluse spider. John Fiske, who narrates the film, explains the beauty and fragility of the caves, while also cautioning that they can be unstable and dangerous — a reminder that exploration requires both curiosity and respect.
The inspiration for the story traces back to John’s childhood, when a poster by renowned San Diego-based photographer Richard Herrmann, reading “Beauty in Every Direction,” hung in his room. That same poster now hangs in the rooms of his children, symbolizing the passing down of curiosity, exploration, and reverence for the natural world.
This marks the fourth film festival award for The Most Biodiverse Place in America, which has already been named an official selection at 11 festivals. Previous awards include the Golden State Award at the Simi Film Fest, as well as Best Feature Documentary (Jury Prize) and Best Feature Documentary (Audience Award) at the Moorpark Film Festival.
“We create documentaries that are highly story-driven, designed to spark conversations that resonate both locally and nationally,” said Stephen Brucher, Producer of the film and Founder of Paradeigm Films. “The title is meant to surprise—nobody expects San Diego to be the most biodiverse place in America. This film challenges that perception.”
To extend the experience beyond the screen, the film is accompanied by a highly interactive website — biodiverse.movie — where audiences can discover and explore the very locations featured in the film. The site also introduces viewers to the incredible experts throughout San Diego County who guide the Fiske family on their journey, encouraging everyone to explore biodiversity in their own backyard.
Crafted Entirely In-House at Paradeigm Films with Cherimoya Pictures
The Most Biodiverse Place in America was directed by John Fiske, co-directed by Thomas Love, and produced by Stephen Brucher. The story was shaped by Matt Rogers with editing by Bryan Wibberley, and cinematography led by Isaiah Lunell. Completed fully in-house at Paradeigm Films, the project reflects the studio’s collaborative spirit and commitment to creating powerful, story-driven documentaries.
A Special San Diego Screening — November 15th
Audiences will have a chance to experience the award-winning film at a special screening on November 15th at San Diego State University, inside the university’s brand-new 300-seat theater. RSVP here to reserve your spot.
Following the screening, Paradeigm Films and Cherimoya Pictures will give audiences an exclusive sneak preview and trailer release of their next feature documentary: ZERO METER INTERCEPT. Already in talks with major streaming platforms, the film documents the groundbreaking OTUS Project, the first team in history to fly a drone into a tornado and capture lifesaving scientific data from inside the eye of the storm.
“This is just the beginning for Cherimoya Pictures and Paradeigm Films,” Brucher added. “We’re excited to share not only the biodiversity of San Diego with the world, but also to take audiences straight into the heart of the most extreme weather on Earth.”
