In a rare move for a Hollywood A-lister, Leonardo DiCaprio has dropped a brand new feature documentary on his YouTube channel for free.
The almost two-hour-long documentary, Yanuni, shortlisted for the 2026 Oscars, has been released on September 5, 2026, to coincide with World Amazon Day, which aims to raise global awareness about the importance of protecting the planet’s largest tropical rainforest.
Leonardo, a long-time environmental activist, is a producer on the film that follows Juma Xipaia, “an Indigenous chief from the Amazon, who rises from activism to Brazil’s new Ministry of Indigenous Peoples.
“While her husband Hugo, a federal agent, raids illegal gold mines, she navigates politics, threats, and impending motherhood — at the personal cost of resistance.”
“We are so grateful for Leo’s commitment to giving this story the international platform it needs and sharing it on his YouTube channel,” said director Richard Ladkani.
“This is not just a story about Brazil, but a global story about sustaining the most important ecosystem on the planet – what happens in the Amazon truly has global implications.
“At a time when focus on the environment is being eclipsed by authoritative regimes, this film reminds us why we need to continue to keep the environment top of mind in global conversations.”
© Getty ImagesThe film premiered at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival to critical acclaim and has won 25 awards across 65 film festivals.
Leonardo has served on the board of several environmental protection organizations in the past three decades, founding the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (LDF) in 1998, which provides grants for global conservation, renewable energy initiatives, and biodiversity protection.
He has helped to produce documentaries The 11th Hour (2007) and Before the Flood (2016).
“From the territory to the world: as part of the film’s production team, I am proud that we chose to make it available for free on YouTube so that this story can reach everyone,” said Ms. Xipaia.
“At this critical moment for the Amazon, the film’s message could not be more important. I hope it crosses borders, awakens consciences, and inspires the world to act before it is too late.”
© Getty Images“A fearless defender of her people and the rainforest, Juma has survived six assassination attempts while confronting illegal gold miners, land-grabbers, and multinational corporations threatening her ancestral land,” reads the synopsis.
“Spanning years of activism and personal sacrifice, the film captures Juma’s historic appointment as Brazil’s first Secretary of Indigenous Rights under President Lula.”
The Amazon spans nine countries and is critical for regulating the global climate, producing a significant portion of the Earth’s oxygen and rainfall cycles.
However, the ecosystem faces ongoing challenges from deforestation, human interference, and climate change.
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