Oscar Winners Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin to Exec Produce Doc About the Fight to Save Utah’s Great Salt Lake (EXCLUSIVE)

Filmmakers Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, under their production companies Little Monster Films and Sandbox Films, have agreed to oversee the production of “Terminal,” a documentary centering around the ongoing battle to preserve Utah’s iconic Great Salt Lake.

Under the guidance of director Abby Ellis (“Flint’s Deadly Water”), a documentary is being created (still in production) that focuses on scientists and political figures from various perspectives who are working together to preserve the Great Salt Lake – the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. This vital body of water is rapidly disappearing, and beneath its drying bed lies a hazardous reservoir filled with heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, mercury, and others. If the lake continues to dry, there’s a risk that these toxic substances could become airborne, potentially threatening the millions of residents living in Utah’s densely populated area known as the Wasatch Front.

Ellis frequently shares tales of environmental disasters once they’ve occurred. However, what sets this movie apart is that, right here in Utah, there’s a chance for us to alter the direction we’re headed before it becomes a crisis.

Apart from Vasarhelyi and Chin, Anna Barnes of Little Monster Films is set to co-produce “Terminal” (working title), alongside Jessica Harrop and Caitlin Mae Burke from Sandbox Films. Geralyn Dreyfus (“Icarus”) and Heather Kahlert will also join as co-producers on this project.

According to Vasarhelyi, many of our films embody the celebration of our amazing planet and portray ordinary individuals confronting extraordinary situations. Having the chance to collaborate with such a gifted film crew on this project didn’t just feel like a fantastic opportunity, but also a duty we take very seriously.

Worldwide, over 100 saline terminal lakes can be found, yet historical data indicates that once these salt lakes start to deteriorate, they cannot be revived. Utah currently finds itself at a critical juncture – a unique chance to buck the trend, rewrite the story, and establish a blueprint for environmental durability.

As a movie lover with a keen interest in science, I can’t help but express my excitement over ‘Terminal’. This film masterfully captures the real-time scientific exploration happening at a pivotal juncture in Utah’s environmental timeline. Abby has an exceptional knack for storytelling, making this cinematic journey not only visually stunning but also deeply engaging.

At Sandbox, we aim to shed light on the artistic and captivating aspects of scientific inquiry, and ‘Terminal’ perfectly encapsulates the type of content that ignites our passion for support.

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2025-04-14 21:46