Women of Carbon Film Screening

Basia Myszynski – Director / Writer / Co-Editor

Basia holds a BA in Drama from the University of California, Irvine, where she honed her passion for theatre and the arts. She furthered her craft with an MFA in Film Directing from the esteemed Polish National Film Academy, where she met her creative partner and future husband, Leonard. Basia excels as a writer, investigative researcher, and communicator, skillfully weaving expert interviews and compelling human stories into her films. Her work is renowned for its exploration of intergenerational themes and critical social issues. “Documentaries have given us enormous opportunities to explore the unexplored, discovering new voices and communities beyond our own, while uncovering deeper truths about ourselves,” she reflects.

Leonard Myszynski – Director / Cinematographer / Co-Editor

A native of Poland, Director of Photography Leonard is a visual artist and innovative storyteller known for his distinctive design sensibility and symbolic imagery. His European influences and imaginative approach drive his photography and advertising work, pushing boundaries in visual storytelling. Leonard's striking and thought-provoking photography has been featured in galleries, public spaces at airports, and APA exhibitions across the U.S. His fine art series centered on a Jewish cemetery is part of The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life in Berkeley, CA. Inspired by one of his bridge movies and the challenges of engineering and design over the forces of Mother Nature, “Urban Man” was an exploration of urban symbols, environments, and structures. The result was an integration of Man, Form and Fantasy. “Second impressions provoke me. I am interested in what lies beneath the surface, and then I begin searching for the ideal form,” he explains.

Together, Basia and Leonard Myszynski form a powerhouse filmmaking team, blending their unique skills to create films that are both visually stunning and profoundly impactful.

Their production company, sOlar eye, has a diverse portfolio spanning entertainment, corporate, and healthcare sectors. Highlights include John Farrar's "Making Music" and Olivia Newton-John's benefit concert, Grammy-nominated DVD content for Walt Disney Records, and various projects for Fox Searchlight Pictures. Their nationally broadcast 2PBS documentaries focus on American icons, such as “Modjeska-Woman Triumphant” about a bi-national star, “Bridging Urban America” about master bridge engineer Ralph Modjeski and 20th century American bridges, and their acclaimed “Leaning Out” about the lead structural engineer of the World Trade Center Les Robertson. Their films have screened globally, reaching audiences from Australia to Asia, Europe, New Zealand, and Canada.

Basia and Leonard reside in Southern California.

Karim Iliya – Second Unit Camera / Drone Operator – Nature & Underwater Sequences

Karim Iliya is a photographer, filmmaker, and whale swimming guide based in Iceland and Hawaii. He co-founded Kogia, a non-profit offering free nature photos and videos for conservation. Selected for the cancelled dearMoon mission with SpaceX, Karim has explored diverse environments from volcanoes to Arctic ice and documents these in his work to protect ecosystems. With experience in over 50 countries, his work has been featured in National Geographic and BBC Earth.

Director Basia’s Statement

I’ve always believed that gender equity and climate justice are deeply interconnected. In our new film, "Women of Carbon," my partner and I explore environmental solutions from the building industry's perspective. Through my research, I was inspired by the women leading the charge in climate action, especially given my own experiences in a male-dominated field. 

These pioneering women are transforming how we approach carbon reduction with innovative materials and technologies. Their stories are about overcoming challenges, balancing careers and motherhood, and making significant strides for both environmental and gender justice.

"Women of Carbon" highlights their impactful journeys and aims to shed light on the urgent need for both gender equality and sustainable solutions. Our goal is to inspire compassion, reveal viable paths forward, and ultimately change how we think about our planet and our place within it.