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Elizabeth Leiter |United States | 2024
Documentary filmmaker Elizabeth Leiter is an artist drawn to stories that are nuanced, thought-provoking, and have emotional resonance. One sees her work in several award nominated documentaries, some of which have won awards. Leiter’s latest subject to explore is showcased in her recent film 399: QUEEN OF THE TETONS.
The female Grizzly 399 (known by her research number) is a permanent resident in Grand Teton National Park. Her popularity has grown over the past two decades becoming the world’s most famous/photographed grizzly bear. The reason for this status is that she is fairly easy to locate and follow along with her cubs.
World-renowned nature photographer, Thomas Mangelsen is known for his fifteen-year treasure trove of archival photography and film footage of 399, which Leiter is honored to incorporate into her documentary. Mangelsen’s work is in itself a visual accounting of 399’s life while roaming the beautiful landscape of her home in the Tetons, birthing, caring for, and nurturing her offspring for almost twenty years. Her latest cub presented itself in 2023.
The growing public following of 399 is a remarkable observation, which Leiter gracefully shares in 399: QUEEN OF THE TETONS. However, there is an alarming aspect Leiter will address to provoke a thought we all must ponder. Leiter notes that while 399 is being followed, “she struggles to raise her cubs in the face of human encroachment, a rapidly changing climate, and threat of losing her protection under the Endangered Species Act.”
Leiter talks with those closest to 399 to listen to their thoughts, concerns and wonderment of this famous mama bear who is an exceptional creature living life as she knows it. The debate about her future is one to examine.
Leiter explains, “As a storyteller drawn to emotional and political subtleties, I am captivated by this grizzly bear because of the intense feelings she inspires in our species.” Adding, “In exploring 399’s life, I aim to foster a respect for her as a mother bear surviving in a rapidly changing and complex landscape. By engaging with 399’s resilience, we are invited to examine our own.”
