Trivia

The film Zelniker wrote, produced and directed, Falling (2012), won the "Best of Festival Award" at the 2012 Indie Fest USA International Film Festival.

In August 2018, Zelniker joined the Leadership Corps of Vice President Al Gore's Climate Reality Project. He served as the Co-Chair of the Los Angeles chapter from October 2018 to April 2021.

The Issue with Tissue - a boreal love story, the documentary that Michael wrote, produced, edited, shot and directed is having its world premiere at Cinefest Sudbury International Film Festival on September 18, 2022. Given the documentary is all about the boreal forest and the Indigenous Peoples who call it home, it's only fitting that its world premiere happens at a location within the boreal.

Michael Zelniker, producer/director of The Issue with Tissue - a boreal love story, is nominated for Best Documentary for the 2023 Next Generation Indie Film Awards. Winners to be announced on October 29, 2023.

The Issue with Tissue - a boreal love story continues its journey, screening at colleges and universities. University of Southern California (USC) School of Cinematic Arts, University of California at Davis, Michigan State University, Vancouver Island University and Glendale Community College are among the schools where it has screened.

A 17 minute version of Zelniker's feature documentary, "The Issue with Tissue - a boreal love story" was commissioned by the Smithsonian Institution to serve as the video portion of their traveling exhibit, "Knowing Nature: Stories of the Boreal". The exhibit is touring North American museums and universities through 2027.

In celebration of Colorado Environmental Film Festival's 20th anniversary in 2026, the founders have named 22 films from the almost 1,000 that the festival has screened over these 20 years. Michael Zelniker's documentary "The Issue with Tissue - a boreal love story" is one of only 22 films recognized as part of the Founder's Favorites program happening in February 2026.

The Raindance Film Festival announced their 2026 awards nominees. Michael Zelniker and his documentary feature has been nominated for Best Documentary Feature. Winners will be announced at the closing night ceremony June 26, 2026.

Taormina Film Festival recognizes Michael Zelniker with a Special Sustainability Award at their 2026 festival.

Episodes 1 & 6 of "The Struggle for Mother Water" screened during the 2026 Bonn Climate Conference at a screening hosted by the GIZ, the German government agency responsible for international aid.

On World Water Day 2026, the United Nations screened the preview of Michael Zelniker's documentary series, "The Struggle for Mother Water" at the UN Headquarters in New York City.