An American Ascent

An American Ascent

George Potter & Andrew Adkins/2014/68 min/People & Culture

Saturday, March 9, 12:30 p.m. [West]
Chicago Public Library, Austin Branch

Saturday, March 9, 5 p.m. [South]
Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago

FILM DESCRIPTION: “An American Ascent” documents the first African-American expedition to tackle North America's highest peak, Denali. In only a few decades the United States will become a majority-minority nation, as people of color will outnumber today's white majority for the first time ever. Yet, a staggering number of people in this soon-to-be majority do not consider the outdoors as a place for them. By taking on the grueling, 20,310 foot peak of the continent's biggest mountain, nine African-American climbers set out to shrink this adventure gap by building a legacy of inclusion in the outdoor/adventure community.

Festival Wrap Party

Festival Wrap Party

Sunday, March 10, 3 to 6 p.m.
The Hatchery Chicago
135 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago

It’s a wrap! We’ve marveled at the beauty and power of nature, discovered actions that can reverse climate change and perhaps made a new friend or two. Now it’s time to go “All In” in celebrating the closing of our 8th season. Join us at The Hatchery Chicago, the city’s coolest and newest food business incubator, which helps local food entrepreneurs grow and workers build skills.  More than a dozen action partners will offer more opportunities to up your climate action game and dive deeper into the issues, from the Green New Deal to Sunrise Chicago to regenerative agriculture. Plus, enjoy drinks and bites, and mix and mingle.

From the Ashes

From the Ashes

Michael Bonfiglio/2017/82 min/Energy

Thursday, March 7, 5 p.m. [West]
Reception at 5 p.m., film begins at 6 p.m.
University of Illinois at Chicago

Thursday, March 7, 7 p.m. [North]
Northwestern University, Evanston

FILM DESCRIPTION: “From the Ashes” captures Americans in communities across the country as they wrestle with the legacy of the coal industry and what its future should be under the Trump Administration. From Appalachia to the West's Powder River Basin, the film goes beyond the rhetoric of the "war on coal" to present compelling and often heartbreaking stories about what's at stake for our economy, health, and climate. The film invites audiences to learn more about an industry on the edge and what it means for their lives.

Inventing Tomorrow

Inventing Tomorrow

Laura Nix/2018/87 min/Climate Change

Sunday, March 3, 2 p.m.[North]
Wilmette Theatre, Wilmette
Admission $8

Monday, March 4, 6 p.m. [SW Suburbs]
Advocate Children’s Hospital, Oak Lawn

Thursday, March 7, 6 p.m.[West]
Namaste Charter School, Chicago

Saturday, March 9, 4 p.m. [W Suburbs]
Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest

FILM DESCRIPTION: Meet passionate teenage innovators from around the globe who are creating cutting-edge solutions to confront the world’s environmental threats—found right in their own backyards—while navigating the doubts and insecurities that mark adolescence. Youth ages 9–13+ are encouraged to take a journey with these inspiring teens as they prepare their projects for the largest convening of high school scientists in the world, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

Living the Change

Living the Change

Jordan Osmond & Antoinette Wilson/2018/85 min/Conservation

Thursday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. [South]
Calumet College, Whiting, IN

Thursday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m. [W Suburbs]
Dominican University, River Forest
Admission $7

Wednesday, March 6, 6 p.m. [West]
Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago

FILM DESCRIPTION: “Living the Change” explores solutions to the global crises we face today—solutions any of us can implement—through the inspiring stories of people pioneering change in their own lives and in their communities in order to live in a sustainable and regenerative way. From forest gardens to composting toilets, community supported agriculture to timebanking, “Living the Change” offers solutions being used now that we can employ to combat climate change today

The Carnivore's Dilemma

The Carnivore's Dilemma

Benoît Bringer/2018/71 min/Sustainable Food & Agriculture

Saturday, March 2, 12 p.m. [West]
Loretto Hospital, Chicago

Sunday, March 3, 6 p.m. [South]
St. Paul & the Redeemer, Chicago

Sunday, March 10, 12:30 p.m. [Central]
Old St. Patrick's Church, Chicago

U.S. PREMIERE. FILM DESCRIPTION: Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Benoît Bringer questions what we give our children to eat. To feed a growing population, the world has embarked on a race to frenetic productivity that generates cruelty against animals, but also major health and environmental issues. Bringer reveals the terrible excesses of industrial breeding and meets women and men who invent another way of farming, respectful of nature and animals. “The Carnivore’s Dilemma” puts together positive and concrete initiatives that are already working and that could be our way of consumption tomorrow.

The Guardians

The Guardians

Ben Crosbie & Tessa Moran/2018/70 min/Wildlife

Sunday, March 3, 12 p.m. [North]
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago

Wednesday, March 6, 6 p.m. [West]
Chicago Public Library, Toman Branch

Saturday, March 9, 2 p.m. [Lake County]
Waukegan Library, Waukegan

Saturday, March 9, 7 p.m. [West]
St. Malachy + Precious Blood, Chicago

FILM DESCRIPTION: A visually dazzling meditation on the delicate balance between human and nature, “The Guardians” elegantly interweaves the lives of the iconic monarch butterfly with an indigenous community in Mexico. Shot over three years, this intimate documentary takes viewers on a cinematic journey through the butterfly dense mountaintops of Michoacan as the community works to build a sustainable path forward. Rarely has the communion of human and nature been told in such an evocative and surprising way, leaving viewers with a new perspective on the ecological challenges facing us all. In Spanish with English subtitles: Everyone is welcome!

The Human Element

The Human Element

Matthew Testa/2018/76 min/Climate

Saturday, March 2, 6:30 p.m. [North]
St. Clement Parish School, Chicago

Sunday, March 3, 3 p.m. [South]
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
Admission $10

Sunday, March 3, 5 p.m. [Lake County]
Gorton Community Center, Lake Forest
Admission $10, Students $5

Monday, March 4, 6 p.m. [Kane County]
Action Fair 6 p.m., Film 7 p.m.
Waubonsee Community College, Aurora

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION with WOMEN IN GREEN
Friday, March 8, 5:30 p.m.
[West]
Malcolm X College, Chicago
OEFF After Hours Event
Reception 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., $20
Film screening 7 p.m. free to all

Saturday, March 9, 10 a.m. [W Suburbs]
Classic Cinemas Lake Theatre, Oak Park
Admission $8

CHICAGO-AREA PREMIERE. FILM DESCRIPTION: Renowned photographer James Balog (prominently featured in “Chasing Ice”) uses his camera to reveal how environmental change is affecting the lives of everyday Americans. Following the four classical elements—air, earth, fire and water—to frame his journey, Balog explores wildfires, hurricanes, sea level rise, coal mining, and the changes in the air we breathe. He takes it further by examining the effects of the fifth element—the human element—to tell an urgent story while giving inspiration for a more balanced relationship between humanity and nature.