Ariel Waldman

Explorer, Filmmaker, Scientist, World traveler

Ariel Waldman is an explorer and filmmaker. Her expeditions take her from tallgrass prairies and deep-sea canyons to the icy realms of Antarctica. In these remarkable places, she films otherworldly life beneath the surface, including the extraordinary lives of microscopic animals. Ariel is the founder of Order of Magnitude Films, a production company on a bold mission to push the boundaries of science and nature documentaries by capturing life at all scales. Ariel is a National Geographic Explorer, TED speaker, and author. She has served as an advisor to NASA on astrobiology, human spaceflight, and advanced technologies. She lives in San Francisco and enjoys creative collaborations with researchers to illuminate the unseen corners of our world. Check out her TED Talk about the Antarctic expedition she led to film life under the ice: go.ted.com/arielwaldman Currently working on directing an ongoing nature docu-series that will broadcast on PBS in 2026. The first two ecosystems featured in the series will be Antarctica and the Prairies. Talk to me about what’s next!

Creating impactful nature documentaries about different ecosystems around the world. Illuminating research that often doesn't get the limelight to large public audiences. Wildlife filmmaking at all scales using microscopes to satellites. Doing research and filming science in Antarctica.

Antarctica, Filmmaking, Science Outreach

Gave the opening main stage TED Talk in 2020! https://www.ted.com/talks/ariel_waldman_the_invisible_life_hidden_beneath_antarctica_s_ice