Maggie Burnette Stogner/2023/30 min/Water Justice, Conservation, Health
FILM DESCRIPTION: "Upstream, Downriver" takes viewers into the heart of the battle for water justice. Powerful stories with frontline community activists are interwoven with historical context about landmark regulations that significantly reduced water pollution in the U.S. but failed to serve disadvantaged communities that are hardest hit by today’s climate crisis. This film won the 2023 Best American Film at the Reale Film Festival Bi-Monthly Awards and the Remi Winner of the 2023 WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival.
Recommended Age 13+
Giorgio Ghiotto/2023/30 min/Water Justice, Conservation, Health, People & Cultures
FILM DESCRIPTION: Vidal Merma, a Peruvian Indigenous journalist, risks his life daily to secure a future where his son, Erik, can savor the simple joy of drinking clean water. "Wings of Dust" is about a father's sacrifice, community resilience and the unwavering human spirit in the face of environmental injustice. This film won the 2023 Gold Medal Student Academy Award for Documentary and was also shortlisted for the 96th Academy Awards for Documentary Short Film.
Recommended Age 13+
Two short films will precede the feature films: “The Island” by Mahmut Taş and “Submerged” by Neo Sky James. “Submerged” tied for the Animation Prize in the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest 2023.
VIEW & BREW: Thursday, April 18, 5 to 8:30 p.m. CDT [Central]
Epiphany Center for the Arts
201 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago
Doors open at 5 p.m. for food and drink available for purchase,
networking, and self-tours of this adaptive re-use space.
Film program starts at 6 p.m.
ADA-compliant accessible venue. Click here for more ADA details.
Sponsor Welcome: Abigail Derby Lewis, Chicago Region Director, Keller Science Action Center at the Field Museum.
Post-film discussion facilitated by Vincent Gomez, Director of Community Engagement, Lincoln Park Zoo, with panelists:
Mila Marshall, Sierra Club, Clean Water Advocate and Staff Writer, Chicago News Weekly
Maggie Burnette Stogner (virtually), Director, ”Upstream, Downriver”; and Executive Director, Center for Environmental Filmmaking at American University
Neo Sky James, Young Filmmakers Contest Winner and Director, “Submerged”
Tabling by Keller Science Action Center at the Field Museum.
Conceived with the vision to return Epiphany to a place for people to once again congregate in, the shuttered, historic Church of the Epiphany has been preserved and adapted into an iconic cultural hub ‘For the Good of Art, Entertainment and Events’. Thoughtfully designed, the exemplary 42,000 square foot campus boasts three distinct venues and a stunning array of amenities, including art studios, classroom, exhibit space and gallery, a commercial and catering kitchen, café, VIP suite and a collection of artistically appointed outdoor spaces; a charming quarter-acre courtyard, spacious terrace and stunning patio. Epiphany’s diverse and inclusive art programming serve to unite community and artists alike while ‘Bringing Chicago Together’.
IN PERSON: Thursday, April 18, 5:15 to 8:30 p.m. CDT [W Suburbs]
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
611 Randolph St, Oak Park
Doors open at 5:15 p.m. for Action Fair and refreshments.
Film program starts at 6 p.m.
ADA-compliant accessible venue. Click here for more ADA details.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church had a fire in 2019. After significant remediation and pandemic interruptions, GSLC has recommitted the community to improving the sustainability of the historic church. Solar panels were installed in 2023 with grants from Interfaith Light and Power and our landscaping has been transitioned to primarily native plants to managed water issues and support pollinator habitat through grants from West Cook Wild ones and Eagle Scout projects. We have also benefited from our community and neighborhood partners in OP-CAN, Oak Park River Forest Garden Club, MWRD, and Deep Roots Project.
Post-film discussion facilitated by Doug Dixon, One Earth Film Fest.
Tabler: Oak Park Climate Action Network.
IN PERSON: Thursday, April 18, 5 to 8:30 p.m. CDT [North]
Park Ridge Community Church
100 Courtland Ave., Park Ridge
Doors open at 5 p.m. to meet action partners.
Film program starts at 6 p.m.
ADA-compliant accessible venue. Click here for more ADA details.