From the moment the smartphone alarm wakes us up in the morning, we begin our day relying on the lithium-ion battery. The toothbrush, the e-bike, the laptop, tablet, camera, hearing aid and smartwatch. The weedwhacker. The pacemaker. From the mundane to the lifesaving, lithium-ion powered devices get us through the day.

The demand for lithium batteries has skyrocketed in just a few years. This trend is forecast to accelerate with the global transition to electric vehicles.

Access to minerals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel has emerged as a vital geopolitical, economic and social concern. So where do these minerals come from? And who controls the supply chain?

From the lithium flats of South America, to the cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; from nickel smelters in Indonesia, to battery gigafactories in Northern France, to recycling plants in rural Georgia, this new Bertelsmann Foundation documentary brings the viewer up close and personal with the people and communities impacted by this global transition.

It is a journey to the frontline of energy in the 21st century. And the race is on..

Watch the trailer

The Lau China Institute at King's College London is delighted to present the UK premiere of 'Lithium Rising: The Race for Critical Minerals', a new documentary-film from the Bertelsmann Foundation. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with experts and producer, Sam George.  

This event is held in partnership with the Bertelsmann Foundation and Foreign Policy Centre. 

NB Registration is required. The screening will start promptly at 6.30pm. Film run time: 70 minutes

Producer/Director

Samuel George is a documentary filmmaker for the Bertelsmann Foundation, a non-profit, non-partisan organisation based in Washington, DC. Samuel’s documentaries bring viewers up close and personal to people and communities facing the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, offering candid perspectives that allows viewers to draw their own conclusions. His films focus on the intersection of politics, economics, social issues, and daily life. Filming on the ground from the Turkish – Syrian border, to the factories of Juarez, Mexico, to elections in West Virginia, the films seek to offer a voice to those impacted by policy and macro trends, but who often are denied a seat at the table where decisions are made. George is currently completing a PhD at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.