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GERGELY ÁRON DZSIDA

Filmmaker & Sustainability Activist

Hegyalja út 77., 1124 Budapest | +36204436262

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dzsigier@gmail.com⁠

linkedin.com/in/gergely-dzsida⁠

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Born: 12 May 1997

Project Information

Title of Project: Looking into Eye of the Sahara

Project Start Date: January 2024

Primary Fieldwork Location Country or Area: Mauritania

Primary Fieldwork Location Start Date: January 2026

Fieldwork End Date: March 2026

Project End Date: December 2025

The primary focus area for your project is: Human Histories & Cultures

The secondary focus area of your project (if applicable) is: Planetary Health

The primary discipline for your project is: Storytelling

The secondary discipline of your project (if applicable) is: Science

Expected Project Outcomes:

Educational/technical resources created

Events held (in-person or virtual)

People formally or informally educated, trained, or mentored

Media/communications/storytelling outputs

Hectares of landscape (including freshwater areas) benefiting from a conservation or sustainability intervention

Peer-reviewed academic publications

Presentations at academic conferences

Species studied

Paleontological, paleoanthropological, historical, cultural, archaeological, or geologic sites, features, or processes studied and/or preserved

Project Leader Information

Project Leader Name: Gergely Áron Dzsida

Salutation: Mr.

How did you learn about the specific grant opportunity?

NGS staff communication from email, phone, in-person

Date of Birth: 1997.05.12.

Current Position or Job Title: Member and cooperating with multiple NGOs

Institution/Organization: Mély Mosoly Alapítvány

Education Level: Undergraduate academic degree (Bachelor of Science)

Skills & Experience:

Gergely Áron Dzsida has extensive experience in documentary production, expedition planning, and sustainability initiatives. He led a successful research expedition to the Eye of the Sahara in Mauritania in 2021, generating footage and data that forms the foundation for this project. Dzsida has a strong technical background in interactive media and a proven track record of managing complex, interdisciplinary projects. His unique perspective, combining scientific expertise with creative storytelling, makes him ideally suited to lead this innovative documentary series.

Country or Area of Primary Citizenship: Hungary

Project Details

Brief Project Summary:

What if the legendary lost city of Atlantis could teach us something real about building sustainable futures? The Eye of the Sahara—a mysterious circular rock formation in Mauritania—has sparked public fascination and speculation for years. Rather than dismiss this curiosity, we're channeling it into rigorous scientific investigation.

Our project creates two interactive documentary series. The first explores the Eye of the Sahara through real science: geology, archaeology, and paleoclimatology. We ask the questions people want answered—Could this be connected to the Atlantis legend? What do ancient civilizations tell us about environmental change?—but we show the actual evidence and let audiences think through the science themselves using interactive debates and 3D models. The second series demonstrates sustainable solutions by showcasing buildings made from living plants that grow over time.

Background:

Alternative history content about the Atlantis legend and mysterious geological formations has exploded across social media and streaming platforms, reflecting genuine human curiosity about our past. However, most lacks scientific rigor—sources are unclear, speculation presented as fact, and audiences lack tools to think critically. Meanwhile, mainstream research remains inaccessible to general audiences. This gap is urgent: scientific literacy now depends on populations that can distinguish evidence from speculation, yet trust in traditional science communication has eroded. The Eye of the Sahara attracts global interest —this worldwide curiosity creates an exceptional teaching opportunity.

Our project fills this gap by combining academic rigor with engaging storytelling through interactive documentaries that make scientific thinking visible. Rather than presenting conclusions, audiences encounter structured debates between scientists, explore 3D models, and engage questionnaires that teach critical thinking experientially. We maintain rigorous standards (peer-reviewed methods, transparent evidence, expert collaboration) while remaining genuinely accessible. This project is part of "Together Projects"—a comprehensive sustainability education initiative connecting historical understanding to future-building. By investigating how past civilizations responded to environmental change and what the Atlantis story teaches about unsustainable practices, we help audiences understand why this ancient mystery matters to contemporary sustainability crises. The second documentary series on sustainable design demonstrates practical applications. National Geographic has not yet addressed how to responsibly engage public curiosity about speculative topics while maintaining scientific integrity—this project demonstrates that new model.

Goals, and Objectives:

Goal 1: Produce Two Professionally-Completed Interactive Documentary Series

Series 1 (Eye of the Sahara): 12 episodes exploring geology, archaeology, paleoclimatology, and the Atlantis hypothesis

Series 2 (Sustainable Design): 8-10 episodes documenting living architecture and permacultural systems

Interactive platform with structured debates, questionnaires, 3D model exploration, and community discussion

Curriculum materials for schools (K-12 and university level)

Goal 2: Complete Educational Infrastructure

2026 expedition to Eye of the Sahara with expanded scientific team

Further online 3D interactive models of structures

A completed willowdome structure converted into educational spaces

Documented case studies of sustainable design integrated into Series 2

Goal 3: Establish Sustainable Model for Ongoing Research and Education

Self-sustaining funding model through donations, expeditions, and school partnerships

Published research papers from expedition findings

Professional framework documenting interactive documentary methodology

Annual expeditions generating new research and content

Teacher training program certifying educators in interactive science pedagogy

Activities or Methods:

The project will unfold in four phases:

Phase 1 (Months 1-3): Documentary production planning, interactive platform architecture development, partnership establishment.

Phase 2 (Months 4-12): Production of 12 episodes for Series 1 (Eye of the Sahara) and 8-10 episodes for Series 2 (Sustainable Design), with embedded interactive features. Launch of interactive platform.

Phase 3 (Months 6-18): Completion of willowdome educational installations, 2026 expedition to Eye of the Sahara, establishment of 50+ school partnerships.

Phase 4 (Months 13-24): Full public launch of documentary series, activation of sustainability mechanisms (donations, expeditions, school partnerships), ongoing evaluation and iteration.

Risks:

Political/Security Challenges in Mauritania

Funding Shortfalls or Delayed Payments

Technical Challenges with Interactive Platform

Content Quality or Scientific Credibility

Audience Engagement or Viewership

Willowdome Structural or Environmental Challenges

Local Community Resistance or Misalignment

Shifting Public Interest or Media Landscape

Sustained Impact:

This project is designed for long-term sustainability beyond the NGS grant period, with three revenue streams:

Donations through the interactive documentary website

Annual expeditions to the Eye of the Sahara open to paying participants

Educational partnerships licensing content and accessing teacher training programs

We will establish a legal entity to manage the project, with a scientific advisory board and formalized local Mauritanian partnerships. The documentary content, interactive platform, 3D models, and willowdome structures are all designed as self-sustaining assets.

Outreach and Engagement

Communication, Engagement, and Distribution Plan:

Our outreach and engagement plan includes:

Community outreach in Mauritania to ensure local partnership and cultural sensitivity

Digital and written publications (articles, social media, blogs) to generate public interest

Educational integration through school partnerships, curriculum development, and teacher training

Visual storytelling (photography, video) to enhance the documentary series

Speaking engagements and presentations at relevant conferences and events

Media engagement through National Geographic's extensive channels and networks

Engagement Plan:

We will directly engage the following key stakeholders:

Local Mauritanian communities: Involve in expedition planning, share preliminary results, support local education initiatives

International researchers and scientists: Collaborate on expedition, publish findings, present at conferences

Educators and students: Integrate documentary content into curricula, provide teacher training, host field study opportunities

General public: Distribute documentary series through multiple platforms, promote interactive engagement

Explorer Network:

As a National Geographic Explorer, I would greatly benefit from the interdisciplinary expertise and global network. I would actively engage with the Explorer community in the following ways:

Participate in professional development and networking events

Serve as a subject matter expert for initiatives related to science communication, sustainability, and interactive media

Collaborate with other Explorers on team-based projects

Act as a global ambassador for National Geographic's mission and values

Project Members

Kristof Kaltenecker - Owner and Head of Content, Nova Produkcios Iroda Kft.

Kristof is an award-winning cinematographer with extensive experience in documentary production. He has led teams to create meaningful content for international brands and will be responsible for the high-quality video production of the documentary series.

Budget Details

Film Production Costs: $350,000

Interactive Platform Development: $150,000

Expedition: $175,000

Willowdome Completion: $100,000

Overhead: $225,000

Total Amount Requested from NGS: $1,000,000

Additional Funding Support:

Name of additional funding source: Trace.Market

Funder category: Private company

Support received: Co-funding for supply chain transparency research and platform development

Amount received: $150,000

Ethical Certification

By submitting this application, I represent that I am in compliance with the ethical standards and codes of practice for my discipline, and specifically the requirements for projects relating to human or animal subjects. I further agree that I practice the National Geographic Society's internal values including honesty, fairness, and transparency. Lastly, I agree that the National Geographic Society may share details about the project at the time of award.

National Geographic Society Grant Application: Definitive Version

Project Information

Title of Project: Decoding the Eye of the Sahara: Ancient Wisdom for Sustainable Futures

Project Start Date: September 1, 2026

Project End Date: August 31, 2027

Primary Fieldwork Location: Mauritania (Richat Structure/Eye of the Sahara)

Primary Fieldwork Location Start Date: January 1, 2027

Fieldwork End Date: January 31, 2027

Fieldwork Location Country or Area #2: Hungary (and the trans-European route)

Fieldwork Location 2 Start Date: September 1, 2026

Fieldwork Location 2 End Date: August 31, 2027

Primary Focus Area: Human Histories & Cultures

Secondary Focus Area: Planetary Health

Primary Discipline: Storytelling

Secondary Discipline: Education

Expected Results Aligned with NGS' Mission:

Educational/technical resources created

Events held (in-person or virtual)

People formally or informally educated, trained, or mentored

Media/communications/storytelling outputs

Paleontological, paleoanthropological, historical, cultural, archaeological, or geologic sites, features, or processes studied and/or preserved

Successfully field-tested technology product or prototype designs

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Project Leader Information

Skills & Experience (~2000 characters)

As a filmmaker and sustainability activist, I possess a rare cross-disciplinary skill set uniquely suited to this project. My leadership of a 2021 expedition to the Richat Structure demonstrates proven success in organizing complex international fieldwork and collaborating with scientists. During this expedition, my team and I created high-fidelity 3D models of key structures, which have already served to correct scientific inaccuracies in existing documentaries, including a National Geographic production.

This hands-on investigative experience is complemented by deep-rooted work in sustainability education and project management with NGOs in Hungary (Humusz Szövetség, Mély Mosoly Alapítvány). I have successfully initiated and managed two willowdome construction projects, transforming sustainable design theory into tangible educational sites.

My core strength lies in bridging these two worlds. I connect the intellectual curiosity surrounding ancient mysteries with the urgent, practical need for modern sustainability solutions. My technical proficiency in developing interactive documentary platforms (atlantis-together.com) and detailed visual mockups for this project's platform demonstrates my ability to translate rigorous scientific inquiry into engaging, accessible narratives that empower audiences rather than just inform them. This synthesis of field researcher, storyteller, and educator is the foundation upon which this project is built.

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Project Details

Brief Project Summary (~1500 characters)

What if the legend of Atlantis could teach us about our own survival? This project channels public curiosity about the Eye of the Sahara into a rigorous scientific investigation, while simultaneously demonstrating practical solutions for a resilient future. We will produce two parallel interactive documentary series. The first, "Decoding the Eye," explores the geology and archaeology of the Richat Structure in Mauritania. The second, "Designing the Future," documents the creation of sustainable systems, like living architecture, in Hungary.

What makes this project truly different is its methodology: a mobile expedition. Our custom-built 4WD exploration van and a multifunctional food-upcycling trailer will serve as a mobile lab, connecting the two narratives. The journey itself is a core part of the story, transforming a scientific expedition into a mission of direct action and proving a new, resilient model for exploration.

Background (~3000 characters)

A significant gap exists between public fascination with ancient mysteries and accessible, rigorous science. This project bridges that gap. Building on a successful 2021 expedition where we generated novel 3D documentation of the Richat Structure, our work moves beyond simple documentation to address a central question: What can the story of a potential collapsed civilization teach us about our own sustainability crises?

Our innovation is an integrated, mobile methodology. Instead of disparate projects, we undertake a single, cohesive mission physically and thematically linked by our custom-built exploration van and food-lab trailer. This approach is a core strategic choice, not a logistical detail. It allows us to:

Create a living narrative: The journey from Europe to Africa becomes a central story of connection, challenge, and discovery.

Field-test a prototype: The food-upcycling trailer is a tangible prototype for a resilient food system, a key deliverable for NGS's "successfully field-tested technology" goal.

Demonstrate a new model of exploration: We prove that expeditions can be more cost-effective and have a lower overall footprint. While a diesel van consumes fuel, this multi-purpose vehicle serves as transport, lodging, and a mobile office for the core team, eliminating multiple international flights and hotel costs. It represents a pragmatic, best-available solution for a self-sufficient, long-duration mission.

This mission connects our two field sites: Hungary, where we build a permaculture community and living willowdomes, and Mauritania, where we study the echoes of the past. It demonstrates a complete cycle: learning from a potential collapse while actively building a resilient future.

Goals and Objectives (~3000 characters)

Goal 1: Produce Two Professionally-Completed Interactive Documentary Series for Global Educational Access.

Change: Educators and learners worldwide will access a new form of interdisciplinary science communication that breaks complex topics into digestible, interactive segments adaptable to multiple age groups and learning styles.

Outputs: Two series ("Decoding the Eye" & "Designing the Future") integrated into education.nationalgeographic.org with age-appropriate versions, interactive 3D models, structured debate platforms, and teacher resources including customizable questionnaires and gamified tasks.

Success: Platform launch with 500,000+ viewers; documented use in classrooms across multiple countries; measurable knowledge gains through the platform's built-in assessment tools.

Goal 2: Execute a Mobile Expedition for Research and Education.

Change: The project will establish and prove a new, low-cost, high-impact model for expeditionary research that combines scientific inquiry with the testing of sustainable technologies.

Outputs: A completed mobile mission from Hungary to Mauritania and back; a fully operational exploration van and food-lab trailer (a field-tested prototype); new scientific data (geological samples, 3D scans) from the Richat Structure.

Success: Successful completion of the round trip; mobile labs proven and ready for future missions; all scientific data collected and prepared for open-access publication.

Goal 3: Complete and Establish Permanent Educational Infrastructure in Hungary.

Change: We will create a durable physical site in Hungary that serves as an ongoing hub for education, research, and community resilience, ensuring the project's long-term legacy.

Outputs: A completed "eye-shaped" willowdome structure serving as an educational site; a developed permaculture garden demonstrating sustainable food systems.

Success: Willowdome completed and hosting workshops by Spring 2027; permaculture site established and integrated into local educational programs.

Activities or Methods (~6000 characters)

The project unfolds in three interconnected phases over 12 months, designed as a continuous narrative.

Phase 1: Pre-Production & Mobilization (Months 1-4 | Fall 2026)

Mobile Lab Construction: Finalize the conversion of the 4WD van and the outfitting of the trailer with a freeze-dryer and solar power. This build process will be filmed for the "Designing the Future" series.

Food Rescue & Preservation: In parallel, we will leverage the Hungarian harvest season (a process already underway) to rescue and preserve an initial stock of food, testing the mobile lab's capabilities.

Interactive Platform Development: We will design and build the framework for the interactive documentary platform, creating the architecture that will support multiple entry points for different age groups and learning styles.

Expedition Planning: Secure all necessary permits and visas. Finalize the scientific team; the core team (2-3 people) will travel in the van, while specialized researchers with limited time may join the 4-week fieldwork portion via conventional flights.

Phase 2: The Mobile Expedition (Months 5-6 | Late Fall/Winter 2026-2027)

Departure & Transit (approx. 3 weeks): In late November, the core team departs from Hungary. The journey through Europe is a key activity, with planned stops for content creation and further testing of the mobile lab.

Saharan Fieldwork (4 weeks in January 2027): The full team convenes in Mauritania. The month is dedicated to intensive fieldwork at the Richat Structure: high-resolution drone mapping, geological sampling, archaeological surveys, and filming.

Return Journey (approx. 3 weeks in February 2027): The core team returns in the van, using the travel time for cataloging samples, backing up data, and filming reflections.

Phase 3: Homeland Integration & Dissemination (Months 7-12 | Spring/Summer 2027)

Willowdome Completion (March 2027): We will lead our 4th annual community workshop to complete the willowdome, shaping it into its final "eye" form, symbolically linking the two project sites.

Post-Production & Platform Integration: We will edit both documentary series and develop the interactive elements, creating multiple pathways through the content for different age groups and learning styles. The platform will include:

Age-appropriate versions of each episode

Interactive 3D models of the Richat Structure and willowdome

Structured debate platforms where viewers can explore competing scientific interpretations

Customizable questionnaires and gamified tasks for classroom use

A feedback mechanism allowing users to shape future content

Platform Launch: The interactive series will be launched in late summer 2027, integrated with education.nationalgeographic.org for maximum accessibility to educators worldwide.

What makes our approach truly innovative is its adaptability and responsiveness. Unlike traditional documentaries, our platform evolves based on user engagement. Teachers and students can provide feedback that directly shapes content development. The platform's modular design allows educators to easily incorporate specific segments into existing curricula, regardless of educational system or country.

This integrated approach ensures each phase builds upon the last, creating a powerful, cohesive story. The mobile methodology is the narrative and ethical backbone of the entire project, while the interactive platform transforms passive viewers into active participants in scientific exploration.

Works Cited (~3000 characters)

Primary Scientific & Methodological Sources:

Chevalier, J. M., & Buckles, D. J. (2019). Participatory Action Research: Theory and Methods for Engaged Inquiry (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Matton, G., Jébrak, M., & Lee, J. K. (2005). Resolving the Richat enigma: Doming and hydrothermal karstification above an alkaline complex. Geology, 33(8), 665-668.

Sterling, S. (2010). Learning for resilience, or the resilient learner? Environmental Education Research, 16(5–6), 511–528.

Cultural & Historical Context (Including Primary Texts):

Barber, E. W., & Barber, P. T. (2004). When They Severed Earth from Sky: How the Human Mind Shapes Myth. Princeton University Press.

Belmonte, J. A., & Shalthout, M. (2009). In Search of Cosmic Order: Selected Essays on Egyptian Archaeoastronomy. Supreme Council of Antiquities Press.

Plato. (2008). Timaeus and Critias (D. Lee, Trans.). Penguin Classics.

Literature Reflecting Public Interest & Alternative Theories:

Hancock, G. (2019). America Before: The Key to Earth's Lost Civilization. St. Martin's Press.

Sweatman, M. B. (2019). Prehistory Decoded. Matador.

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Budget Details

Total Amount Requested from NGS: $60,000

Table 2

Table 2

Item

Amount (USD)

Justification

1. Mobile Expedition & Logistics

$18,000

Covers fuel, vehicle maintenance, permits, insurance, and logistics for the core team's ~3-month mobile mission and the full team's 4-week Saharan fieldwork. This mobile approach is highly cost-effective, eliminating international airfare and accommodation costs for the core team, significantly reducing the project's overall financial and carbon footprint compared to a fully fly-in expedition.

2. Personnel Stipends

$15,000

Provides modest stipends for a 2-3 person core team for 12 months, enabling full-time project dedication.

3. Exploration Van Conversion

$10,000

Covers the acquisition of a reliable used 4WD cargo van ($4,000) and its conversion into a mobile living/production space ($6,000).

4. Multifunctional Trailer Lab

$8,000

A core project asset and prototype. Covers the acquisition of a base trailer ($1,500) and its transformation into a mobile food lab, including a freeze-dryer ($3,000), solar system ($2,000), and build-out ($1,500).

5. Post-Production & Tech

$6,000

Covers software licensing, data storage, interactive platform development with age-appropriate content pathways, and music licensing.

6. Educational Infrastructure

$2,000

Materials for the willowdome's finalization and the creation of educational signage in Dunabogdány.

7. Administration

$1,000

Bank fees, accounting, and essential communication costs.

Total

$60,000

There are no rows in this table

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This version now emphasizes the educational adaptability and innovation of your approach. It highlights how the interactive documentary will be:

Accessible to any educator - Not limited to specific schools but designed for integration into any classroom

Age-appropriate - With multiple versions for different age groups

Interactive and engaging - Using 3D models, debate platforms, and gamified elements

Flexible for classroom use - With ready-made questionnaires and activities that can fit into standard class periods

Responsive to feedback - Evolving based on user input, making audiences co-creators

Integrated with National Geographic's platform - For maximum reach and credibility

The structure maintains the powerful narrative of your journey connecting Europe to Africa, first-world abundance to scarcity, and ancient wisdom to future solutions. It presents a single, coherent mission that is innovative, impactful, and perfectly aligned with National Geographic's mission of exploration, education, and planetary stewardship.

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