A rainforest in Indonesia becomes a vertical football pitch, sending players sprinting across the forest floor, scaling towering tree trunks and traversing the rainforest canopy.

The film, Team Forest, by Studio Birthplace for World Wildlife Fund (WWF), is using the global appeal of the FIFA World Cup to build a team  for the protection and restoration of forests.

The film combines ambitious live-action performance with visual effects to invite audiences to see the rainforest through a different lens – as the field of play itself. Professional footballers and stunt performers transform the forest into playing field, reframing one of our most vital ecosystems as a shared home ground in need of protection.

Staging a football match in the rainforest canopy presented a unique set of challenges. Studio Birthplace worked closely with an expert stunt team, testing a range of rigging systems and movements to create action that felt both safe and spectacular. Equally critical was protecting the forest itself during filming. Special scaffolding was installed above the vegetation to minimise environmental impact while providing a safe working platform for cast and crew.

Balancing the physical constraints of the rigging systems with the need for dynamic, high-energy movement required close collaboration between the creative and stunt teams. Every sequence demanded precise timing, choreography and coordination between performers, rigging operators and camera crews, ultimately helping to shape the film’s distinctive visual language.

View the BTS film:

“At a time when AI-generated content is everywhere, it felt important to create something human. This project — the film and the wider campaign — was built through real collaboration. That collective effort is what made it special,” stated Alea Rahim, executive producer, Studio Birthplace. 

The scale and complexity of the production called on the contribution of a number of trusted collaborators, including co-producer, Baby Tamba, whose production support was instrumental throughout the shoot, and longtime collaborator, Cody Amos of Heckler, Singapore.

The film shows off the stunning beauty of one of the world’s most important ecosystems while it highlights a critical message – tropical forests are under threat and safeguarding them requires collective action – a game we all need to play, together.

“So much environmental communication is built around loss and urgency, and while those realities are important, we wanted to approach this story differently, with positivity. Team Forest is about inviting people in rather than confronting them. By celebrating the beauty, power and wonder of forests through the universal language of football, we hope to inspire people to feel connected to what they’re protecting,” stated Sil van der Woerd & Jorik Dozy, co-founders and directors, Studio Birthplace.

Studio Birthplace also created a platform to visualise collective action as part of the campaign. Team Forest brings together people from around the world in support of forests, ecosystems and wildlife, turning individual commitment into a visible global movement. Every new supporter adds to that collective effort.

To join Team Forest, visit panda.org/teamforest. Create a personalised avatar and become part of a visible global movement for our forests. The platform highlights the importance of forest ecosystems and provides practical actions to help protect and restore them.

Kirsten Schuijt, WWF director general, commented, “Football is for everyone and so are our forests. No matter where you are from, forests are foundational to life. But forests are in trouble and they urgently need our support. As the world comes together for the Football World Cup, we invite everyone to join Team Forest and root for these critical ecosystems that sustain us. Let’s play for the home ground we all share”

Credits

Film & Platform: Studio Birthplace 
Directed & Edited by Jorik Dozy & Sil van der Woerd 
Executive Producer: Alea Rahim 
Co-Producer: Baby Tamba 
DOP: Charlie Balch 
1st AD: Muhammad Hambali (Baly) 
Stunt Coordinator: Saifuddin Mubdy (Udeh) 

Team Forest Jersey: Arthefact 
VFX: Heckler Singapore 
Colour: Harbor Picture Company 
Music: Elijah Siegler 
Sound Design: Joe Wills, Tim Burns 
BTS & Stills: Indi Casadei