When exploring the strategies that make an effective social documentary, we have to also ask the que
stion that the audience asks themselves, "Now what?" This year's Environmental Film Festival attempts to answer that question and many others, March 15-27 through film screenings and discussions across Washington, D.C.including at American University's Wechsler Theater.
The 2011 Festival is not just showing films, it's asking questions. For instance, what is the enviornmental cost for making your film? Show up on March 21 for a a film about a film, in which an independent filmmaker faces the damaging effects of fimmaking on the environment. Also join American University's Director of the Center for Enviornmental Filmmaking Chris Palmer on March 24 for a panel discussion on what to do once you've watched the film. This is the strategy that CSM continues to explore, how do we turn butts in seats into people in action?
Of course you'll get your fair share of films that deal with wildlife, including hummingbirds, bees, flamingos, marine life, even synthetic life, but you'll also get a closer look at our changing landscape, including rivers, cities, city parks, fences, coal, oil, wind and happiness. In School Days with a Pig, we find out what happens when a classroom of kids raises a domestic pig from piglet to dinner plate.
There are quite a few options for your inner gardener to explore. Find out how coral reefs can be gardened, how gardeners form a community, what's happening to community gardens in D.C., and take an inside look at the nation's ultimate garden, the U.S. Botanic Garden.
Check out the events at American University March 21-24:
All the AU events are hosted in the School of Communication's Wechsler Theater.
American University, Wechsler Theater, Mary Graydon Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave., NW
(Metro: Tenleytown/ AU, Wisconsin Ave. East exit. Red line; shuttle bus service to AU)
(Metrobuses: M4, N2, N3, N4, N6, N8)
Shown as part of the multi-day, multi-venue Energy Film Series
March 21, 8:15 PM, Directed by Miranda Bailey, Washington D.C. Premiere
Exploring the damaging effects of the film business on the environment, this documentary focuses on Miranda Bailey, an indie producer, as she awakens to the realization that making movies has a tendency to be extremely wasteful. Bailey follows the cast and crew of an indie feature film, The River Why...
Shown with THE RIVER WHY
March 22, Reception at 6:30 p.m. Clip-Illustrated Lecture at 7 p.m.
The Impact of “Shooting in the Wild: An Insider’s Account of Making Movies in the Animal Kingdom” by the Director for the Center for Environmental Filmmaking.
March 23, 7:00 PM
Program includes HOW TO PICK BERRIES, STRUGGLE FOR MT. NIMBA, AMERICA’S ENERGY FUTURE, CARVING FOR CONSERVATION, WORKING WITH FIRE, BUZZKILL & ALBATROCITY
March 24, 7:00PM
Panel Discussion moderated by Chris Palmer, Director, Center for Environmental Filmmaking, American University. How do we produce films that make a difference? This session, illustrated with clips of inspiring films, explores ways we can turn films into action, at both the policy and personal levels.
