Wild & Scenic Film Festival Nevada City, CA
Mark Elbroch
Director, writer, narrator
andJoe Pontecorvo
Producer
andBrad Allgood
Editor
Heart of a Lion— The Science Behind Coexistence
Program Description
Research shows that indiscriminate lethal removal of animals from the ecosystem can disrupt habitats and increase instability. In contrast, proactive coexistence strategies including conflict prevention and community education are more effective, sustainable, and rooted in evidence. This science forms the foundation of the story on screen and the work continuing beyond it.
Presented At
Wild & Scenic Film Festival Nevada City, CA
Film Synopsis
The story of two mountain lion mothers reveals the secret world of a predator long misunderstood and the biologist who has dedicated his life to understanding them.
HEART OF A LION follows renowned biologist Mark Elbroch deep into the rugged wilds of Wyoming and Washington's Olympic Peninsula, where he has spent years tracking two elusive mothers, F61 and Yoko, as they raise their young on the edge of human territory. With rare, long-term access, this film reveals an intimate world few have ever seen: mothers hunting, protecting and teaching their cubs in landscapes increasingly shaped by people. As Elbroch's connection to the lions deepens, so do the stakes - every movement, every decision, becomes a matter of survival.
About the Speaker
Renowned mountain lion biologist and former director of Panthera’s Puma Program, Mark Elbroch has spent years tracking and studying mountain lions in the wild—reshaping our understanding of the species. Inspired in part by his book The Cougar Conundrum, his work brings rare depth and perspective to HEART OF A LION, grounding the film in both science and lived experience.
Joe is an Emmy Award–winning filmmaker who has produced and directed over fifteen documentaries for PBS, National Geographic, and the BBC. His credits include Snow Monkeys (two Emmys, narrated by Liam Neeson), Yosemite (three Emmy nominations), and a recent two-part series for PBS and Terra Mater Factual Studios, narrated by Uma Thurman. Rooted in his Rocky Mountain upbringing, Joe’s films blend cinematic beauty with urgent conservation stories, inspiring audiences to see nature with wonder and responsibility.
Brian is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker focused on natural history, wildlife, and conservation stories that entertain, engage and inspire. Brad spent three years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nicaragua, holds an M.A. in Film and Video Production from American University, and is a native of Georgia. When he's not working on films, you can find him camping, hiking, playing soccer or SCUBA diving - or doing pretty much anything in the great outdoors.