Eli, director of GENX
Wilmington, NC - Eli’s hometown
The Story - How a Hometown Fight Became a global movement
GenX began when Eli, a premedical student, discovered that their hometown’s drinking water had been poisoned for decades. Driven by a personal mission to find answers for their mother’s incurable disease, Eli believed a real solution must be possible. But uncovering this massive, hidden contamination back home led to even deeper questions: How could this happen? What was it doing to people? And how do we stop it?
What started as a quest to expose North Carolina’s pollution problem quickly grew into a global investigation, thanks in part to the groundbreaking work of attorney Rob Bilott and the relentless efforts of activists across the world.
For over seven years, Eli and the team have worked to uncover the full scope of this global public health crisis and share it with the world. As a spiritual successor to the film Dark Waters, and with the support of our producer, Mark Ruffalo, GenX delivers a powerful call to action. This story not only highlights the urgency and scale of the PFAS contamination problem but also shines a hopeful spotlight on how communities are fighting back—and winning—against the corporate giants responsible.
Eli and the IAFF testifying before Congress
Premiere of BURNED campaign with 2,000+ firefighting leaders
The Power of Action - Real Change in Motion
GenX not only explains the complexity of PFAS contamination but, more importantly, highlights the tangible actions necessary to create large-scale societal shifts. Our team partnered with the International Firefighters Union to launch a global public service campaign aimed at educating firefighters about the dangers of forever chemicals. This effort has already led to thousands of training sessions worldwide and contributed to two states banning PFAS in textiles, including firefighter gear.
GenX showcases what works at the macro level, while also empowering individuals to take action—whether it's reducing personal exposure or joining this global movement. One of the most unique elements of our project is a collaboration with the world-renowned Paperhand Puppet Intervention, which brings the essence of our story to life in a mystical, four-part puppet performance. This story-within-a-story captures the heart of GenX, blending art and activism to inspire change.
