A GOOD NEIGHBOR
Film Poster for "A Good Neighbor". A group of three teenagers embrace while pollution emits from a factory.
A GOOD NEIGHBOR
Film Poster for "A Good Neighbor". A group of three teenagers embrace while pollution emits from a factory.
A Latina single mother fights against racism and climate change as she campaigns for city council in one of the nation’s most polluted zip codes

A GOOD NEIGHBOR

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OFFICIAL SELECTION - Colorado Environmental Film Festival, Mimesis Documentary Festival, Breck Film Festival | SEMI-FINALIST - New York Int. Women Festival

Latinas • Political Campaigns • Climate Change • Environmental Justice • Local Elections • Female Leadership

Date of Completion: 2023 | Run Time: 52 minutes | Language: English with Spanish subtitles | Captions: Yes | Includes: Transcript | Directors/Producers: Maggie Hartmans & Brittany Zampella

A GOOD NEIGHBOR is a feature-length documentary about Lucy Molina, a Latina single mother fighting against racism and climate change as she campaigns for city council in one of the nation’s most polluted zip codes. The film begins with Lucy in the car, giving one of her famous “Toxic Tours” of the 80216 zip code - named the most polluted zip code in America in 2018. As she drives by factories, highways, and the looming oil refinery - she speaks tearfully and candidly about her children’s illnesses. “I moved here because of that park for my kids” she says at one point, “I didn’t realize I was killing them.” Lucy’s family health struggles - leukemia, brain cancer, migraines, bloody noses, diabetes - combined with inaction from her local government, motivated her to run for city council. The film follows Lucy’s campaign, using community events and campaign speeches as jumping off points to discuss larger issues such as racism, sacrifice zones, climate policy, health bias, and just transition. A GOOD NEIGHBOR culminates in a nail-biting finale as Lucy’s family and friends gather on election night to see the results. But whether she wins or not, Lucy's intimate story highlights a global need for change, and creates empathy by putting a face to the realities of marginalized communities like Commerce City, Colorado. 

Lucy Molina is a dedicated environmental justice activist from Commerce City, CO, renowned for her tireless efforts in advocating for cleaner air and healthier living conditions in her community. As a prominent figure in the fight against environmental racism, Lucy has been a pivotal voice in highlighting the disproportionate impact of industrial pollution on marginalized communities. Her activism gained widespread recognition with her compelling appearance in the film A Good Neighbor, where she passionately shared the stories and struggles of her community.

In addition to her role in the documentary, Lucy has been featured on PBS and various local and international news outlets, amplifying her message and reaching a broader audience. Her work has earned her significant accolades, including recognition from environmental organizations and community awards for her unwavering commitment to justice and equity.

Lucy's passion for her community is evident in every endeavor she undertakes. She has organized numerous rallies, community meetings, and educational campaigns to raise awareness and drive change. Her relentless advocacy has not only brought attention to the environmental challenges faced by Commerce City but has also inspired many to join the fight for a cleaner, healthier future.

Brittany Zampella is a producer and director in the world of independent filmmaking. Having always had a passion for the arts, Brittany’s focus shifted towards film after spending three years at a documentary production house. By 2020, this led her to co-found Farsighted Creative, a dynamic video production company focused on creating meaningful and culture-shifting content. Brittany, alongside her creative partner, has since produced podcasts, short films, documentaries, and episodic series.

Known for her empathetic storytelling, her work often reflects a unique blend of artistic vision and a commitment to telling stories that resonate with a wide audience. Through Farsighted Creative, Brittany has not only showcased her talent but has also provided a platform for other creative individuals to bring their stories to life. Her contribution to the indie filmmaking scene is marked by a combination of creativity, innovation, and a deep understanding of the human experience.
As a self-starter in the indie film world, Maggie Hart is no stranger to wearing multiple hats with shoestring budgets. While attending film school and working full-time as a production manager, she also had the crazy idea of making her first feature film, which was finally completed in 2014.

She spent three years in LA as an award-winning writer, commercial producer, and screenwriting teacher, but longed for more meaningful work. In 2018 she shifted gears to documentary production, fulfilling a lifelong dream of using the power of cinematic storytelling to shift culture and change the world.

This core belief in the power of storytelling led her to co-found Farsighted Creative, a production company that looks beyond the trends of our current culture to tell meaningful stories that create empathy for today and a hopeful vision for tomorrow. She has since produced documentary podcasts, short films, episodic series, and feature length films, both documentary and narrative.