Rooted
Bridget Besaw/2021/94 Min/Sustainable Food & Ag, Environmental & Social Justice, Health & the Environment
Accessibility: OEFF commits to an ongoing effort to make our events as open and as accessible as possible. Our 2026 accessibility page is here!
Rating, Audience & Advisory Info
Recommended ages 12+
Synopsis: In this food justice documentary, activist and urban farmer Germaine Jenkins is taking on the power structure in Charleston, SC, to counter the tide of toxic food that has ravaged her community for decades. Will this oasis in a food desert survive and advance civil rights' latest frontier, or become another mirage in the battle against food apartheid?
Accolades
"We are very enthusiastic about (Rooted), The themes of food justice, navigating local politics, and the racial dimensions of leadership and healthcare are wonderfully woven together.” 38th Annual Virginia Film Festival 2024
"Our jury felt (Rooted) was an exemplary example of independent filmmaking. I absolutely loved every frame of this film." Chair of the Feature Documentary jury for the 25th Annual Fargo Film Festival 2025
Program Information: Arrive early when doors open, and stay after the film for enlightening facilitated dialogue with relevant experts and advocates. Additional program details appear below, inline with each screening description.
A One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest-winning film, Empathy Gap (2025, 5 Min) by Justyna Ośka, will also be featured.
4950 W. Thomas St., Chicago, IL 60651
Friday 4/24/2026
Doors Open at 6:00 PM (CST). Film Starts Promptly at 6:30 PM (CST).
Free with a suggested $10 donation.
Join us for ROOTED: Film Screening & Community Conversation, part of the One Earth Film Festival, at Bethel New Life’s Chapel Arts Center on April 24th, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The evening begins with a pre-screening mixer, where attendees can connect with local organizations working in urban agriculture, food access, environmental justice, and community development. This is a unique opportunity to network, gather resources, and engage directly with leaders and advocates shaping sustainable food systems.
Following the mixer, enjoy a screening of ROOTED, a powerful film exploring the deep connections between land, food, and community. After the film, stay for a panel discussion and audience Q&A, where experts in food ecosystems and environmental justice will unpack key themes and take questions from attendees. Light refreshments will be provided throughout, creating a relaxed, community-focused atmosphere. This event is free and open to the public, offering meaningful dialogue and actionable insights for all.
3201 S. State Street, Auditorium, Chicago, IL, 60616
Friday 4/24/2026
Doors Open at 6:00 PM (CST). Film Starts Promptly at 6:30 PM (CST).
Free with a suggested $10 donation.
At this specific screening, we will also show the Oscar-nominated short film Planetwalker: Dominic Gill/2025/31 Min/Historical Perspectives, Transportation, Conservation
Synopsis: After witnessing a devastating oil spill, a man takes a vow of silence and gives up motorized transport, embarking on a 17-year journey across the US to raise awareness about environmental issues, armed only with a banjo and his principles. Check out the trailer here!
Join Illinois Tech, Gary Comer Youth Center, Organic Oneness, and the Bronzeville Trail Taskforce for an inspiring double-feature screening of Planet Walker and Rooted. These powerful films explore the profound intersection of environmental stewardship, personal resilience, and community heritage. Following the films, we are honored to host Dr. Matt Smith, who will lead a dynamic discussion on the transformative power of activism and how individual steps can lead to global change.
This event is a unique opportunity to engage with local organizers and neighbors committed to a greener, more connected Bronzeville. To ensure a seamless experience for our guests, free parking is available in the university lot at 33rd and Wabash, as well as the lot on State Street located between 31st and 32nd Street. Come prepared to be inspired, share your voice, and discover how we can collectively root ourselves in meaningful advocacy. We look forward to seeing you there!
Springer Suites in Rebecca Crown Library
7900 Division St, River Forest, IL 60305
Monday 4/27/2026
Doors Open at 6:00 PM (CST). Film Starts Promptly at 6:30 PM (CST).
Free with a suggested $10 donation.
Accessibility Note: A live captioner will be present during this event.
Dominican University is a host site for the 15th Annual One Earth Film Festival. This Chicago-based festival screens films that highlight environmental issues and foster understanding of the climate crisis, environmental justice, sustainability, community-building and action-taking.
On Monday, April 27, the documentary film Rooted: Food Justice in America will be shown at 6:30 p.m. in Springer Suites as a hybrid event. In-person and virtual tickets are free with a $10 suggested donation.
Rooted follows Germaine Jenkins, an activist and urban farmer, in her quest to save her cooperative farm and continue cultivating fresh produce for a neighborhood that had been lacking access to healthy fruit and vegetables for more than a decade. The film examines food apartheid and racial injustice in food systems. The event runs 6-9 PM, with light pre-screening refreshments, film viewing, and closing panel discussion from Sr. Sheila Fitzgerald of the Fields of Sinsinawa examining how we build equitable climate futures rooted in collective action and intergenerational wisdom.
Co-sponsoring this event are DU’s Sustainability Committee, the School of Social Work, OJEI, Office of Civic Learning and Siena Center.