A Little Story About Forever is a new short film that combines creativity, advocacy, and imagination, demonstrating how small steps can lead to significant change in the fight against PFAS contamination.
What do a toddler, a painter, and Mark Ruffalo have in common? In A Little Story About Forever, the latest short film from KEEN and artist-filmmaker Max Romey, they team up to tackle one of the world’s more daunting environmental challenges: forever chemicals.
The 10-minute film premiered at the Outside Festival on 31 May and takes a fresh, quietly optimistic look at a subject that’s often heavy and overwhelming. Rather than leading with fear, Max and KEEN invite audiences into a story created at a kitchen table, complete with watercolours, imagination, and the occasional toddler scribble.
The film follows Max and his 2.5-year-old son, Kip, as they attempt to answer the deceptively simple question: What does ‘forever’ really mean? As the pair try to write a book on the topic, Max finds himself weighed down by the threats to “forever”, especially the persistence of PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), toxic man-made chemicals that have earned the nickname “forever chemicals” because they never break down.
Looking for some guidance, he calls on actor and activist Mark Ruffalo, known for his work both on-screen and off in raising awareness about environmental issues.
“I think when the world feels so dark, it’s important to have a message of hope,” says Max. “Mark Ruffalo says it best in the film when he talks about how light is always stronger than darkness. This film is really just trying to light a little candle in the face of some of these massive, very scary issues that surround us right now.”
The result is a gentle yet impactful film that manages to engage audiences on a complex issue without resorting to alarmism. It’s a strategy that aligns with KEEN’s broader approach.
A family-owned brand and a long-time advocate for eliminating PFAS from consumer products, KEEN has been PFAS-free since 2018. In 2021, the company took a further step by publishing a Green Paper, providing a transparent roadmap to help other businesses phase out these harmful chemicals.
KEEN’s commitment extends beyond its own supply chains. The brand has worked closely with organisations like the National PFAS Contamination Coalition – a network of individuals personally affected by PFAS – to push for industry-wide change. It was through this partnership that Max and KEEN connected with Mark Ruffalo, finding a shared commitment to both advocacy and accessible storytelling.
“Like this film, we are lighting the path to eliminate the use of PFAS and protect the health of people and the environment,” says Sandy Wynn-Stelt, co-facilitator of the National PFAS Contamination Coalition. “We are so happy to see the work that KEEN has done, not only to rid these chemicals in their products but to work with other companies to do so.
“Their message gives all of us a little hope and strength to keep stepping forward.”
Max is no stranger to blending personal storytelling with environmental themes. His previous film, Footprints on Katmai, retraced his grandmother’s steps on the remote Alaskan island of Katmai, uncovering both family history and global issues, such as marine debris. His work often incorporates hand-drawn elements and analogue techniques to convey a sense of intimacy and approachability to large, often overwhelming topics.
In A Little Story About Forever, that signature approach shines. The film’s hand-painted frames and simple dialogue between father, son, and Ruffalo create an atmosphere that’s disarming and relatable. It’s a reminder that even the most complex problems can be broken down into understandable and actionable pieces.
“My hope is this film leaves people feeling a little bit lighter about the world,” says Max. “And that it lights a little bit of a spark – that a little action, a little person and a little army of goodness can go a really, really, really long way, especially when standing on the shoulders of those brave people who are already here.”
Following its debut at the Outside Festival, A Little Story About Forever will be available to watch on KEEN’s YouTube channel and distributed via Outside TV. It’s the first instalment in a new series of KEEN Effect Films, a creative platform that aims to make sustainability and social advocacy more accessible through storytelling.
In a time when conversations around climate and contamination can feel paralysing, KEEN and Max’s little story serves as a timely reminder: sometimes, a brushstroke of hope is all you need to keep moving forward.
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