Eli Yetter-Bowman
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Eli Yetter-Bowman | |
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| Other names | Elijah Yetter-Bowman |
| Occupation | Documentary filmmaker; science communicator |
| Known for | BURNED: Protecting the Protectors (2023) |
Notable work | Angel of Alabama (2022); BURNED: Protecting the Protectors (2023); The Bowl (2025); GenX: The Saga of Forever Chemicals (TBA) |
Eli Yetter-Bowman is an American documentary filmmaker and science communicator whose work addresses public health and environmental contamination. Their 2023 documentary short BURNED: Protecting the Protectors examines PFAS exposure risks associated with firefighting turnout gear and was released in partnership with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).[1] In 2023, Yetter-Bowman received one of the National Academies’ Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communication (Science Communicator: Independent).[2]
Early life and education
Yetter-Bowman is from Wilmington, North Carolina.[3] They graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2018, where they studied philosophy and chemistry.[4]
Career
Yetter-Bowman’s filmmaking emerged from early reporting on PFAS contamination in the Cape Fear region of North Carolina. Local television coverage in 2018 documented their initial work on a documentary project about the chemical GenX, which was later expanded into a broader investigation of PFAS and public health impacts.[5]
Angel of Alabama (2022)
Yetter-Bowman directed the short documentary Angel of Alabama, which follows investigator and activist Brenda Hampton’s efforts to address PFAS contamination and environmental justice concerns in north Alabama.[6] The film won Documentary Short – Best Overall at the 2023 Longleaf Film Festival.[7] Coverage of Hampton’s advocacy by the Associated Press included still images credited to Yetter-Bowman’s film.[8]
BURNED: Protecting the Protectors (2023)
BURNED: Protecting the Protectors focuses on PFAS exposure associated with firefighting gear and the health implications for firefighters and their families. The film premiered at the IAFF’s 2023 Affiliate Leadership Training Summit and was later made available for public screenings through the union’s network.[9] Actor Mark Ruffalo is credited as a producer on the film.
In an interview with the International Fire & Safety Journal, Yetter-Bowman described the decision to release BURNED ahead of a longer PFAS project, noting that the firefighter gear issue warranted immediate attention.[10] The Guardian later cited Yetter-Bowman’s work on BURNED in a feature examining public trust and science communication in the United States.[11]
GenX: The Saga of Forever Chemicals (TBA)
Yetter-Bowman has continued work on GenX: The Saga of Forever Chemicals, a documentary project examining PFAS contamination and its health and regulatory implications. University of North Carolina coverage described the project as a multi-year investigation and reported on interviews conducted for the film, including with Mark Ruffalo.[12] In 2025, the IAFF announced the project as a forthcoming release by the makers of BURNED.[13]
The Bowl (2025)
In 2025, Yetter-Bowman directed The Bowl, a short documentary connected to the National High School Ethics Bowl community. The film premiered at BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival and was accompanied by educational programming for campus audiences.[14]
Coverage of Yetter-Bowman’s work has described documentary screenings accompanied by discussions and educational programming, particularly in academic settings. They are a frequent speaker at universities and conferences on topics related to science communication, public trust, and health advocacy.[15]
Awards and affiliations
In addition to the National Academies’ Excellence in Science Communication Award, Yetter-Bowman has received fellowship support for independent documentary work, including participation in the South Arts Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers.[16] They are an affiliate researcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a member of the Documentary Producers Alliance, and a mentor with the Southern Documentary Fund.
References
- ↑ "BURNED now available for public viewings". International Association of Fire Fighters. March 24, 2023.
- ↑ "National Academies Announce 2023 Recipients of Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications". National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. November 2, 2023.
- ↑ "Wilmington native behind new GenX documentary". WECT. March 27, 2018.
- ↑ "College graduate brings 'forever chemicals' documentary to campus". UNC College of Arts and Sciences. January 13, 2026.
- ↑ "Wilmington native behind new GenX documentary". WECT. March 27, 2018.
- ↑ "Angel of Alabama". Wild & Scenic Film Festival.
- ↑ "Longleaf Film Festival 2023 Winners". Longleaf Film Festival. May 2023.
- ↑ Casey, Michael (January 23, 2025). "Pressure growing to remove PFAS from fast food wrappers". AP News.
- ↑ "BURNED now available for public viewings". International Association of Fire Fighters. March 24, 2023.
- ↑ Hoey, Iain (April 6, 2023). "Exclusive: The story of BURNED: Protecting the Protectors". International Fire & Safety Journal.
- ↑ Milman, Oliver (January 13, 2025). "To rebuild trust in science, should experts hand the mic to the public?". The Guardian.
- ↑ "College graduate brings 'forever chemicals' documentary to campus". UNC College of Arts and Sciences. January 13, 2026.
- ↑ "Full PFAS documentary coming this fall". International Association of Fire Fighters. March 26, 2025.
- ↑ "Bring Public Ethics to Life: Host the Bowl in Your Campus". American Philosophical Association Blog. October 29, 2025.
- ↑ "College graduate brings 'forever chemicals' documentary to campus". UNC College of Arts and Sciences. January 13, 2026.
- ↑ "Southern Circuit Season Connects Transformational Filmmaking to Communities". South Arts.
External links
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