Health

Becoming Ruby

Becoming Ruby

Dave Mayers/2020/18 min/Health, People & Cultures, Social Justice

Monday, March 8, 6:30 p.m. CST
International Women’s Day

FILM DESCRIPTION: Not seeing herself reflected in the community she loves, mountain biker, skier and artist Brooklyn Bell created her own role model: a hand-drawn hero called Ruby J. With Ruby J as a guide, Brooklyn spent the next few years trying to “live like her, breathe like her, be unapologetically black like her,” and in the process shaped her own identity, one that intertwines her love for dirt, snow and art—and a voice with which to advocate for diversity and inclusion.

This film will precede “Maxima.”

District 15

District 15

Anjali Nayar and Senain Kheshgi/2020/23 min/Energy, Social Justice, Health

Sunday, March 14, 3 p.m. CDT

FILM DESCRIPTION: Sadly, the majority of Los Angeles industrial oil drilling activity takes place in communities of color and low-income communities. “District 15” highlights the hope and tenacity of the young activists of Wilmington, California, as they push the L.A. City Council to prohibit new and existing oil and gas drilling operations within 2,500 feet of homes, schools and hospitals. Communities for a Better Environment is behind this effort. The group does critical work on environmental justice and empowers Californian communities to stand up to polluting industries and build a green energy future.

This film will precede “Reclamation: The Rise at Standing Rock.”

Flint: Who Can You Trust?

Flint: Who Can You Trust?

Anthony Baxter/2020/119 min/Social Justice, Water, People & Cultures, Health

Saturday, March 6, 6:30 p.m. CST

FILM DESCRIPTION: Filmed over 5 years and long after the story was front page news, “Flint: Who Can You Trust?” is full of new twists and turns. Journalist/filmmaker Anthony Baxter goes beyond the headlines in Flint, Michigan, where a government poisoned its own citizens’ water supply, to show the complete breakdown of authority, public trust and faith in the truth itself. “Flint” is a powerful investigation of the breathtaking scope of toxic pseudo-science, celebrity activism, and official negligence. The film reveals the devastating impact on poor people and people of color, which make up the majority of the residents in Flint, as they continue to seek justice and clean water. Featuring Marc Ruffalo and narrated by Alec Baldwin. Produced by Richard Phinney and Sabrina Schmidt Gordon.

Tickets available to U.S. viewers only.

The Great Green Wall

The Great Green Wall

Jared P. Scott/2019/92 min/Climate Change, Health, Social Justice, People & Cultures

Tuesday, March 9, 6:30 p.m. CST

FILM DESCRIPTION: Take an epic journey along Africa's Great Green Wall—an ambitious vision to grow an 8,000km "Wall" of trees stretching across the entire width of the continent to restore land and provide a future for millions of people. Traversing Senegal, Mali, Nigeria, Niger and Ethiopia, Malian musician and activist, Inna Modja follows the burgeoning Great Green Wall through Africa’s Sahel region—one of the most vulnerable places on earth (temperatures are rising 1.5 times faster than the global average)—laying bare the acute consequences of accelerating climate change the Wall aims to counteract: drought, resource scarcity, radicalization, conflict and migration. By Executive Producer Fernando Meirelles (Academy Award and Golden Globe Nominated Director of City of God and the Constant Gardener).

Tickets available to U.S. viewers only.

Kiss the Ground

Kiss the Ground

Rebecca Tickell and Josh Tickell/2020/84 min/Food & Agriculture, Climate Change, Health, Waste

Saturday, March 13, 11 a.m. CST

FILM DESCRIPTION: Narrated and featuring Woody Harrelson, “Kiss the Ground” is an inspiring and groundbreaking film that explores the first viable solution to our climate crisis. “Kiss the Ground” reveals that, by regenerating the world’s soils, we can completely and rapidly stabilize Earth’s climate, restore lost ecosystems and create abundant food supplies. Using compelling graphics and visuals, along with striking NASA and NOAA footage, the film artfully illustrates how, by drawing down atmospheric carbon, soil is the missing piece of the climate puzzle. This movie is positioned to catalyze a movement to accomplish the impossible–to solve humanity’s greatest challenge, to balance the climate and secure our species’ future.

Mermaids Against Plastic: Tamara

Mermaids Against Plastic: Tamara

Sylvia Johnson/2020/10 min/Waste, Water, Health, Wildlife

Wednesday, March 10, 6:30 p.m. CST

FILM DESCRIPTION: “Mermaids Against Plastic: Tamara,” is a short film revealing the extent of the marine plastic pollution problem in the Mexican Caribbean. The film follows a diver as she searches for solutions to protect the ocean she loves. Tamara is from the ocean and water runs in her veins. Born in a fishing village on the Mexican coast, she returned to her roots to become a full time scuba instructor. When she discovers plastic in her beloved ocean, she sets out to get the diving industry to stop using single use plastic.

This film will precede “Dammed to Extinction.”

Microplastic Madness (Ages 7 to 14 + General Audiences)

Microplastic Madness (Ages 7 to 14 + General Audiences)

Debby Lee Cohen and Atsuko Quirk/2019/79 min/Family, Youth, Waste, Advocacy, Health

Sunday, March 14, 11 a.m. CDT

FILM DESCRIPTION: “Microplastic Madness” is the story of 56 fifth graders from Public School 15 in Red Hook, Brooklyn, living in the frontline of the climate crisis. Their actions on plastic pollution morph into extraordinary leadership and scalable victories. With stop-motion animation, heartfelt kid commentary, and interviews of experts and renowned scientists who are engaged in the most cutting edge research on the harmful effects of microplastics, this alarming, yet charming narrative, conveys an urgent message in user-friendly terms.

The Nature Makers

The Nature Makers

Scott Saunders/2020/68 min/Conservation, Health, Wildlife, Food & Agriculture

Friday, March 12, 6:30 p.m. CST

FILM DESCRIPTION: “The Nature Makers” is a moving portrait of passionate people and the extraordinary creatures they’re fighting to preserve. In a world increasingly dominated by humans, three teams of wildlife conservationists go to seemingly unnatural lengths to try to save threatened species and habitat in the American heartland. Stunningly photographed in the Grand Canyon and on the American prairie, “The Nature Makers” follows rugged biologists who’ve deployed helicopters, giant bulldozers and a host of human tools to defend wild nature. In the 21st century, defending the wild often requires, quite paradoxically, technology and aggressive human intervention.