Life Unearthed

Join us for the New York premiere of LIFE UNEARTHED with Ariel Waldman. This two-episode screening will be followed by a panel talkback with explorer and filmmaker Ariel Waldman.

LIFE UNEARTHED with Ariel Waldman is a visually striking science-driven docu-series that reveals Earth’s ecosystems through radical shifts in scale—from microscopic wildlife to the planet’s most iconic species, and even the potential for life beyond Earth. Hosted by Waldman, the series spans environments near and far, from the sweeping American Prairies to the alien terrains of Antarctica.

Episode 1: Antarctica: Life On The Edge

Antarctica, often perceived as barren and lifeless, is in fact a dynamic ecosystem teeming with life. This episode follows Waldman’s solo expedition through Antarctica’s extreme environments as she documents the thriving microscopic wildlife, including tardigrades, hidden beneath the ice. Along the way, she reveals how Antarctica’s unique ecosystems are interconnected with the rest of the planet, underscoring the urgency of understanding and preserving this rapidly changing landscape. 

Episode 4: Prairies: Life On The Plains

Often overlooked, North America’s prairies are among the most dynamic and biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. Journeying into tallgrass remnants, Waldman reveals a hidden world where bison shape the land, microscopic wildlife thrive in moss and soil, and fire renews life above ground. From towering grasses to invisible underground networks, the prairies emerge as resilient yet fragile landscapes whose future depends on how closely—and differently—we choose to see them. 

This screening is part of EarthFest, the Museum’s annual all-ages festival that celebrates our planet.