The McDermitt Caldera is a vast volcanic landscape that straddles the Oregon–Nevada border. Formed by a massive eruption roughly 16 million years ago, it is home to sagebrush steppe, important wildlife habitat, working ranches, and the ancestral lands of the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe. In recent years, the region has attracted international attention after geologists identified one of the largest known lithium deposits in North America there.

Lithium is a key component in many rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and consumer electronics. As governments and industries seek to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, demand for lithium has grown rapidly. Supporters see domestic lithium production as essential to the transition to renewable energy, while critics raise concerns about environmental impacts, cultural resources, and the costs borne by rural communities. The proposed mine in the McDermitt Caldera sits at the center of these larger questions.

The McDermitt region is home to people whose lives are deeply connected to the land. Tribal members, ranching families, wildlife biologists, and others have spent generations living and working in this remote landscape. As the proposed mine moves forward, they are confronting difficult questions about economic opportunity, cultural preservation, conservation, and the future of the places they call home. Their experiences offer a window into the challenges and tradeoffs emerging in communities across the American West and beyond.

The Caldera is an official selection of the Jackson Wild Media Awards, screening in Los Angeles on November 9–10, 2026. The film will be followed by community screenings across the Pacific Northwest and a national public broadcast in early 2027. Visit our screenings page for details, or join the mailing list for updates.