Documentary films aim to engage and educate viewers about climate change and sustainability
OAK PARK, IL—(ENEWSPF)—February 2, 2014. In advance of its March 7-9 event weekend, One Earth Film Festival will host seven free pre-Fest screenings. These showings will give people a taste of the festival, which celebrates and shares the transforming power of documentary films with focus on environmental issues.
“These seven events offer entertaining and practical ways to explore ideas for sustainable living,” says Ana Garcia Doyle, film selection committee chair for the One Earth Film Festival. “While the Festival strives to show compelling views of tough issues, we also want to emphasize that solutions are within reach. The films we have chosen, as well as the accompanying activities and discussions are geared to that idea.”
A screening of “Growing Cities” will take place at 7 p.m. Tues., Feb. 18 at Dominican University’s Lund Auditorium, 7900 W. Division Street, River Forest, IL. This film examines the role of urban farming in America and shows the power it has to revitalize our cities and change the way we eat. Viewers are invited to come at 6 p.m. to sample locally- produced goods at a mini-farmer’s market organized by Dominican. The market will feature Gretta’s Goats, Sugar Beet Co-op, Blue Max Coffee and Three Queens Organic Maple Syrup, among other vendors.
“Revolution” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 26 at Columbia College Chicago’s Film Row Cinema (8th Fl.), 1104 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago. This film tells the story of the beauty and natural wealth of the oceans and the power of the human spirit in the fight to save them.
“Urban Roots” will be screened at 2 p.m. Sat., March 1 at the Sacred Keepers Sustainability Lab, 4445 South King Drive, Chicago. This film follows the urban farming phenomenon in Detroit. A post-film discussion will include local community groups Centers for New Horizon and Center for Urban Transformation.
There will be a Preview of Sustainable Food Films at 4:30p.m. Sat., March 1 at Unity Temple at 875 Lake St., Oak Park, during the Sugar Beet Co-op’s March Market Event (4p.m.-6p.m.). Clips from “Growing Cities”, “GMO OMG”, and “Harmony” will be shown and discussed.
In partnership with the University of Illinois at Chicago, “The New Environmentalists” will be shown at 3:30 p.m. Wed., March 5 at the UIC’s Latino Cultural Center, 803 S. Morgan St., Chicago. Robert Redford narrates this multiple Emmy Award-winning series featuring inspiring portraits of passionate and dedicated activists. These are true environmental heroes who have placed themselves squarely in harm’s way to battle intimidating adversaries while building strong grassroots support.
Also sponsored by UIC will be a showing of “Trashed” at 5:45 p.m. on Wed., March 5 at their Gallery 400, 400 S. Peoria St., Chicago. The multi-award winning documentary starring Jeremy Irons looks at the risks to the food chain and the environment through pollution of our air, land and sea by waste. Prior to the film screening and discussion, the UIC gallery will host a reception beginning at 5:00 p.m.
“Revolution” also will be featured at a hip view and brew event on at 7 p.m. Thurs., March 6 at the new music club WIRE, 6815 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, IL. Viewers are invited to stay afterward to discuss the film after the screening. Cash bar will be open.
The third annual One Earth Film Festival weekend kicks off at 7 p.m. Fri., March 7 with a Green Carpet Gala at the 19th Century Club in Oak Park. Billed as the Midwest’s premier environmental film festival and produced by local volunteer organization, Green Community Connections, the Festival will feature 30 sustainability-themed films and facilitated discussions at about two dozen sites throughout Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, and River Grove on Friday, March 7 through Sunday, March 9. A Google Map of all venues is here: http://goo.gl/maps/emOhu. Most films are free, but donations are invited.
The suggested donation is $5 per film or $15 for the entire weekend. Reservations are strongly advised since some screenings may “sell out.” Reservations and donations can be made at https://oneearthfilmfest2014.eventbrite.com.
For more information about the pre-Fest screenings, as well as the full One Earth Film Festival 2014 schedule, visit www.oneearthfilmfest.org. Find us on Facebook and Twitter (@OneEarthFF).
Green Community Connections is a deeproots organization devoted to creating a sustainable future in the Oak Park/River Forest, IL area. We’re working to build a resilient, environmentally sustainable community locally, and we strive to be an environmental leader in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Source: Green Community Connections
