Isabela Zawistowska is a Mexican-American filmmaker and naturalist passionate about telling stories that illuminate the profound connections between humanity and the natural world.

Her love for nature was sparked during her childhood, foraging for mushrooms with her family in the misty forests of the Pacific Northwest. These formative experiences laid the foundation for a career rooted in curiosity, care, and a deep reverence for the environment. Through her cinematic storytelling, Isabela seeks to shift the narrative around how we relate to our surroundings—centering stories of resilience, reciprocity, and renewal.

Isabela is especially passionate about supporting and uplifting female characters, often gravitating toward those whose strength lies in their tenderness, wit, and grounded presence. She’s also drawn to humor as a storytelling tool—embracing its ability to disarm, connect, and reveal deeper truths, often bringing levity to complex issues and inviting audiences into stories with warmth and perspective.

Her most recent short film, Don’t Doubt the Trout, selected to premiere at the 5Point Film Festival, exemplifies her commitment to character-driven environmental storytelling. Currently, she is in production on Companion of the Setting Sun, which follows an 84-year-old chinampera—a traditional wetland farmer in the last remaining lake of Mexico Valley, Lake Xochimilco.

Isabela began her career as a Camera Assistant and Camera Operator on HBO and Netflix docuseries, including projects from the producers of Tiger King and Chimp Crazy. She has also partnered with mission-driven brands and organizations such as The North Face, Cotopaxi, Chaco Footwear, the Honnold Foundation, and Re:Wild to create impactful visual campaigns that inspire environmental stewardship.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, with several years living in Mexico, she later immigrated to the United States, earning a B.S. in Public Policy with a minor in Social and Economic Justice from UNC Chapel Hill.

Isabela's work reflects her belief that the stories we tell about nature are, at their core, stories about ourselves. She is currently available for camera and directing work in documentary, narrative, and commercial projects.