This weekend in New Jersey, the multidisciplinary studio Arcadia Earth will debut its first film, A Vision for Tomorrow. On view from April 19-27 at the largest planetarium in the western hemisphere, the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium at the Liberty Science Center, the immersive, 360-degree moving picture invites audiences into a visually stunning journey through the essential ecosystems that sustain life. With cutting-edge visuals, 30,000 watts of sound, and a staggering 88 million pixel resolution, the venue promises to deliver the film’s message with breathtaking clarity and emotional resonance.
Courtesy of Arcadia Earth.
Divided into four parts—Trees, Air, Water, and Soil—the first installment in this four-part series, focused on the irreplaceable value of trees, will debut on Saturday in collaboration with the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the United States, American Forests. Through a blend of art, science, and technology, each chapter highlights the delicate balance between humanity and nature, culminating in a call to action. At the end of the screening, QR codes linking to impact-driven initiatives led by non-profit partners are seen.
Whitewall spoke with Valentino Vettori, the visionary founder of Arcadia Earth, to talk about the inspiration behind A Vision for Tomorrow, aligning his values to align with sustainability and regeneration, and what he’s up to next.
Arcadia Earth’s Dedication to the Environment
Courtesy of Arcadia Earth.
WHITEWALL: Arcadia Earth is debuting its first environmental film named A Vision for Tomorrow. What specifics can viewers take away from the film?
VALENTINO VETTORI: Viewers will come away with a deeper emotional connection to these elements, a better understanding of the ways we’re impacting them, and a renewed sense of agency in protecting them. We explore both the beauty and fragility of our natural world—while offering solutions, innovations, and paths forward that people can be part of today.
WW: The film reimagines our relationship with our planet and the future we can create by taking a look at the systems that sustain life on Earth. Why was film a medium the organization wanted to share its message through?
VV: Planetariums are uniquely powerful spaces. If you’ve ever seen a Big Bang simulation in one, you know the feeling—you’re not just watching stars, you feel like you’re inside them. We wanted to harness that same immersive power, but instead of looking outward into space, we’re guiding people inward—into the core elements of Earth, Air, and Water. Film allows us to create an emotional, sensory journey—one filled with wonder, urgency, and hope. It invites the audience to imagine what’s possible if we all step into action.
Creating “A Vision for Tomorrow”
Courtesy of Arcadia Earth.
WW: Take us behind the scenes of creating this film. What went into producing it? Were there any unforeseen challenges, surprises, or discoveries?
VV: The entire film was created using Unreal Engine, the same software behind many of today’s most advanced video games. Using it to build a fully immersive 360-degree experience was an ambitious challenge—because we didn’t use any real footage. Everything you see was imagined and built from the ground up.
That gave us incredible creative freedom, but it also meant we had no blueprint. Things we assumed would be simple, like animating water or natural transitions, became technically complex and time-consuming. But that process pushed us to discover new methods of storytelling and world-building that made the end result much more powerful and unique.
WW: We are currently experiencing many global crises, including an environmental crisis. What can we collectively do now to help slow the impact, and attempt to reverse long-lasting damage? What are some small steps viewers can make now for change?
VV: Collectively, we must transition from awareness to action—supporting clean energy, protecting our forests and water sources, and building systems that regenerate instead of deplete.
Individually, small actions matter: reducing single-use plastics, conserving water, supporting local conservation groups, or simply voting with your wallet for more sustainable choices. Even sharing the film with someone else is a step toward building a broader movement.
Prioritizing Sustainability
Courtesy of Arcadia Earth.
WW: What are some of your personal vows to help conserve the planet and its resources?
VV: I’ve committed to aligning both my work and personal choices with values that prioritize sustainability and regeneration. That means minimizing travel emissions, designing with intention, and choosing projects that create real-world impact. Most importantly, I believe in the power of storytelling to inspire change—and I’ve vowed to keep using creativity as a force for environmental good.
WW: A Vision for Tomorrow is being presented at Liberty Science Center Planetarium. How does this space align with what Arcadia Earth supports at large?
VV: The Liberty Science Center is more than a venue—it’s a center of curiosity, learning, and imagination. It’s also home to the largest planetarium in the western hemisphere, which makes it the perfect stage for a story of this scale. Arcadia Earth has always aimed to create experiences that are immersive, educational, and transformative—and this space allows us to do exactly that, reaching a wide and diverse audience.
WW: The film will conclude with a QR code linking to a series of calls to action. How will this work, and what will viewers be able to do?
VV: We wanted to ensure that inspiration doesn’t end when the credits roll. The QR code offers viewers a chance to continue the journey—by scanning it, they’ll be taken to a landing page where they can support causes like American Forests’ reforestation efforts, as well as initiatives focused on air and water restoration. It’s a way for people to connect with our mission in real time and choose the area of impact that speaks to them. Whether it’s donating, volunteering, or simply learning more—this final moment is a bridge from feeling to action.
Arcadia Earth’s Vision for Tomorrow
Courtesy of Arcadia Earth.
WW: What are you working on now/next? Any plans or other creative endeavors in 2025?
VV: Right now, our focus is on expanding the reach of A Vision for Tomorrow—both nationally and internationally—by partnering with planetariums, museums, and science centers around the world.
Looking ahead to 2026, we’re exploring the idea of adding new chapters to the film, introducing additional topics that can be integrated into the existing experience. This way, educational institutions can offer evolving content that continues to engage audiences year after year. Our goal is to make immersive climate storytelling both scalable and sustainable.
Courtesy of Arcadia Earth.
