WHAT IS THE DOROTHY PROJECT ?
The Dorothy Project is a nonprofit environmental documentary film project, founded by Mathieu Baptista in 2017 to explore and document the interconnectedness of Earth’s natural events from the stratosphere.
We are a team of creatives and science enthusiast dedicated to revealing the beauty and fragility of our planet through high-altitude balloon missions. Our work spans immersive virtual reality experiences, environmental documentaries, and scientific research.
​Inspired by nature, informed by scientific exploration, and driven by the urgency of environmental conservation, we aim to deepen humanity’s connection to Earth.
Through virtual reality experiences, we try to trigger the “overview effect” on viewers and aim to poetically awaken their ecological awareness and encourage reflection on our place in the universe.​
Footage taken by Dorothy 35 km above the Rockies in British Columbia (2024)
The Overview Effect
The overview effect is a cognitive shock, an awareness experienced by some astronauts during spaceflight, when they observe the Earth from space.
This effect occurs by putting the Earth's situation in space into direct perspective; the planet is suddenly perceived as a fragile sphere, a “pale blue point suspended in the void”, protected and nourished by a thin atmosphere.
External observers have noted significant changes in attitude among people who have reported experiencing this effect. From space, national borders disappear, the conflicts that divide people become less important and the need to create a planetary society with the united desire to protect our fragile habitat becomes both obvious and imperative.
Astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson "Earth gazing" in the Cupola module of the International Space Station. Source : NASA
OUR TEAM
As our project continues to flourish and grow, our team is also in constant evolution and we are always seeking new members.
Beyond our core crew, we also have volunteers who assist with launches, events, and screenings. Our dedicated team of volunteers is crucial to our success; without them, none of this would be possible.
