, , , , , , ,

The Winds of Change: Young Activists Pursue Climate Justice and Green Living

, , , , , , ,
The Winds of Change: Young Activists Pursue Climate Justice and Green Living

Born in the mid-to-late 1990s up to the early 2010s, Generation Z environmental activists agree that urgent action is needed to achieve climate justice, and they’re willing to do what it takes to get results. “Climate and environmental justice and environmental racism are very big concerns among youth, whether or not they are youth of color. It’s not just about energy, water or air—it’s also very much about people,” says Ana Garcia-Doyle, executive director of One Earth Collective. The Chicago nonprofit inspires action, facilitates learning and promotes environmental justice through annual programs like the One Earth Film Festival and One Earth Youth Voices, a summit designed to give voice to the next generation’s environmental concerns.

, , , ,

Filmmaker Jennifer Boyd Investigates Traffic Violence and Street Safety in 'The Street Project'

, , , ,
Filmmaker Jennifer Boyd Investigates Traffic Violence and Street Safety in 'The Street Project'

"The Street Project" documentary is the story of humanity's relationship to the streets and the global citizen-led fight to make communities safer. Digging deep into the root causes of traffic violence, the filmmakers engage diverse experts, including street historians, city planners, urban designers, activists, and everyday people working to make their communities safer.

, , , ,

2023 Festival Kicks Off with Gusto

, , , ,
2023 Festival Kicks Off with Gusto

Festive. And loud. That was the mood and volume at the 2023 One Earth Film Festival kick-off party Friday night as whistles, cheers, applause and cowbell noisemakers delivered on this year’s theme, “Let’s Get Loud!”

The 12th annual festival roared back to a fully in-person event, while filmmakers, whose works are featured selections this year, joined via Zoom and were projected on a large screen for everyone to see.

, , , , ,

'To the End' Filmmaker Rachel Lears Exposes Courageous Activism

, , , , ,
'To the End' Filmmaker Rachel Lears Exposes Courageous Activism

Filmed over four years of hope and crisis, "To the End" captures the emergence of a new generation of leaders and the movement behind the most sweeping climate change legislation in U.S. history. 

The award-winning film follows Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), activist Varshini Prakash, climate policy writer Rhiana Gunn-Wright, and political strategist Alexandra Rojas as they grapple with new challenges of leadership and power and work together to defend their generation's right to a future. From street protests to the halls of Congress, these four exceptional young leaders fight to shift the narrative around climate, revealing the crisis as an opportunity to build a better society.

, , , , , ,

Navajo Filmmaker Creates 'Powerlands' as Act of Resistance

, , , , , ,
Navajo Filmmaker Creates 'Powerlands' as Act of Resistance

Editor’s note: “Powerlands” will screen as part of the One Earth Film Fest on Tuesday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m. CST, both virtually and in person at two locations: Pilot Project Brewing in Chicago and Oak Park Public Library in Oak Park. Get tickets for all options here.

Ivey-Camille Manybeads Tso is a young Navajo filmmaker who investigates the displacement of Indigenous people and the devastation of the environment caused by the same chemical companies exploiting the land where she was born. Her award-winning documentary, “Powerlands,,” chronicles the eerily similar struggles of Indigenous communities across Colombia, the Philippines, Mexico, and Standing Rock.  Despite being worlds apart, these communities face the same battles against the same big energy companies, like Peabody, BHP and Glencore. 

, , , ,

'Falconer' Filmmaker Interview with Annie Kaempfer

, , , ,
'Falconer' Filmmaker Interview with Annie Kaempfer

"The Falconer" is a story of hope and second chances: for injured birds of prey, for an abandoned plot of land, for a group of teenagers who have dropped out of high school, and for Rodney Stotts, a licensed raptor specialist from Southeast Washington, D.C.

Stott says his passion for falconry stems from the fact that it helps to keep the local raptor population healthy while crossing racial, socioeconomic and ethnic barriers. He makes a powerful connection between endangered species and local youth who must navigate survival in a stressed community. His organization "Rodney's Raptors" creates interactive and educational programming, allowing adults and children of all ages to experience the excitement of holding a live bird of prey while educating them on the vital role birds play in the ecosystem.