Unbreathable

A timely, powerful look at fifty years of the Clean Air Act and the challenges we still face to ensure healthy air for everyone. Directed by Professor Maggie Stogner.

Unbreathable: The Fight for Healthy Air spotlights the ongoing struggle for clean air in the United States. Over the past 50 years, there has been major progress in significantly reducing air pollution across the nation thanks to the Clean Air Act. However, asthma continues to be the number one health issue for children and nearly half of all Americans across the country today are still impacted by unhealthy levels of air pollution. This 30-minute film shares stories of communities that are fighting for healthier air and the challenges we face to ensure healthy air for all.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Maggie Burnette Stogner. Produced by Elizabeth Herzfeldt-Kamprath. Executive Produced by the Center for Environmental Filmmaking at American University, with support from the American Lung Association, AU’s Center for Environmental Policy, and the Hanley Foundation.

"A powerful and important film about one of modern America's most consequential laws." — Beth Gardiner, author, CHOKED

Children at play with smoke stacks

Unbreathable Film

Unbreathable spotlights the ongoing struggle for clean air in the U.S. Available for free screening on DCEFF’s Watch Now page through July 19, 2020.

Watch Now

Unbreathable: The Fight for Healthy Air

This film premieres at a critical time. Asthma is the number one health issue for children, and recent research links air pollution to higher cases and deaths from COVID-19. Environmental regulations and enforcement of existing laws are being stripped away when the need for renewable energy is more urgent than ever.

Informative and inspiring, the film is an excellent catalyst for engagement and action designed to reach a wide range of audiences. To inquire about hosting a screening, please email events@unbreathable.org for more information.

Executive Produced in Partnership with

American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy. Our work is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; champion clean air for all; improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and create a tobacco-free future.

Center for Environmental PolicyThe Center for Environmental Policy aims to improve the nation's ability to address environmental challenges through effective governance.

The Hanley Foundation Washington D.C.

Clean Air For All Poster

Clean Air For All Symposium

To mark the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Air Act and the 30th Anniversary of the Clean Air Act Amendments, American University's Center for Environmental Policy, Center for Environmental Filmmaking and the American Lung Association are organizing a day-long symposium in Washington, D.C.