WITH THEIR BACKS TO THE SKY

I MIAMBOHO LANITRA

Erik Nuding • Madagascar, United States, United Kingdom • 2025 • 70 min.

SYNOPSIS

Bridging bat disease ecology and conservation, “With Their Backs To The Sky” invites us into the tightly entangled lives of bat catchers, field biologists and old-world fruit bats within the heavily exploited forest ecosystems of Madagascar.

A collaborative collection of images and sounds framed by storms that flood, mudslides that flatten and fires that consume.  Tireless efforts ensue.

SUPPORTS

Buffet Institute for Global Affairs: Climate Crisis and Media Arts. United States (2022)
Sundance Institute | Sandbox Fund for Development. United States (2023)
Sheffield Doc/Fest • Selected Project MeetMarket. UK (2024)

Teaser

CREW

DIRECTOR
Erik Nuding

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Keith Wilson
Youssef Boucetta

SCREENWRITERS
Angelo Andrianiaina
Albert “Rabetsy” Rakotonirina
Tojo Ravalomanana
Dadah Rakotoniaina
Santino Andry

PRODUCERS
Kendall Fitzgerald
Angelo Andrianiaina

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Erik Nuding

ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Dominic Daniels

EDITING
Erik Nuding

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
CONSULTANTS
María Vera (Kino Rebelde)
J.P Sniadecki