WILDLIFE

Field Biologist

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Field Biologist is the story of 22-year-old Tyler Christensen, a remarkably talented but somewhat rudderless high school graduate from New Jersey still trying to figure out what to do with his life. Tyler’s great love is being outside, chasing birds and studying wildlife. One day he decides—brushing aside his lack of a college degree or scientific credentials—to drop everything and travel to Costa Rica to start doing his own conservation-oriented research on birds in the tropics.

From Billions to None

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From Billions to None: The Passenger Pigeon's Flight to Extinction reveals the compelling story of the unlikely extinction of the passenger pigeon. For millennia, the sleek long-distance flyer was the most abundant bird in North America and perhaps the world. Then, in a matter of decades, it was hunted to extinction. On September 1, 1914, Martha, the last passenger pigeon in captivity, died in the Cincinnati Zoo, marking the end of the species.

This award-winning film follows naturalist and author Joel Greenberg, A Feathered River Across the Sky: The Passenger Pigeon's Flight to Extinction, (Bloomsbury USA, 2014), as well as scientists, artists and teachers that are drawn to this literal teachable moment and its striking relevance to conservation challenges today.

Project Wild Thing

Filmmakers: Green Lions

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"This film will change your life" -  The Guardian.

Project Wild Thing is a film led movement to get more kids (and their folks!) outside and reconnecting with nature. The film is an ambitious, feature-length documentary that takes a funny and revealing look at a complex issue, the increasingly disparate connection between children and nature.

Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai (Encore Presentation!)

Sunday March 6th, 12:30 pm/St. Benedict the African-East Catholic Church/ Tickets

Please stay for post-film discussion, and opportunities for taking concrete action, which will be shared by local advocacy groups such as Faith in Place. Facilitator: Toni Anderson, Founding Executive Director, Sacred Keepers Sustainability Lab.

Lisa Merton and Alan Dater/ 2008/ 81 min/Food, Agriculture

FILM DESCRIPTION: Taking Root tells the dramatic story of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai whose simple act of planting trees grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, protect human rights, and defend democracy—a movement for which this charismatic woman became an iconic inspiration.

This Changes Everything

Pre-Event Screening: Thursday Feb. 11th, 7 pm/ Dominican University/ Tickets

Join us post-film for an activating multi-disciplinary panel, comprised of faculty from Dominican University:

Scott Cummings, Associate Professor of ChemistrY; Patrick Homan, Assistant Professor of Political Science;  Scott Kreher, Associate Professor of Biology. Tim Milinovich, Assistant Professor of Theology; Tama Weisman, Associate Professor of Philosophy. Concrete action opportunities will be available from GoGreen Oak Park, Green Community Connections, and Citizens Climate Lobby. Refreshments will be served. Facilitator: Monica Halloran, Director of Academic Programs, Dominican University.

Saturday March 5th, 3 pm/ Experimental Station/ Tickets

Stay after the film to learn about concrete, local action opportunities. First Presbyterian food program and other local advocacy groups will be present. Facilitator: Karen Snyder, Institute of Cultural Affairs.

Saturday March 5th, 3 pm/ Institute of Cultural Affairs/ Tickets

Stay for post-film dialogue, and to hear about opportunities for collaborative action and organizing with Eco-Up Group, the Chicago Sustainable Leaders Network, and The United Nations USA. Facilitator: Caitlin Sarro, Program Manager, Institute of Cultural Affairs.

Saturday March 5th, 7 pm/ College of Lake County/ Tickets

Please stay for post-film discussion, and concrete opportunities for action.

Naomi Klein, Avi Lewis/ 2015/ 89 min/ Climate Change & Community Response

FILM DESCRIPTION: Filmed over 211 shoot days in four years, nine countries and five continents, This Changes Everything is an epic attempt to re-imagine the vast challenge of climate change. Directed by Avi Lewis, and inspired by Naomi Klein’s international non-fiction bestseller, This Changes Everything, the film presents seven powerful portraits of communities on the front lines, from Montana’s Powder River Basin to the Alberta Tar Sands, from the coast of South India to Beijing and beyond. Interwoven with these stories of struggle is Klein’s narration, connecting the carbon in the air with the economic system that put it there. Throughout the film, Klein builds to her most controversial and exciting idea: that we can seize the existential crisis of climate change to transform our failed economic system into something radically better.

The True Cost

Saturday March 5, 11 am,/ Frances Xavier Warde School, Old St. Patrick's Campus/ Tickets

This film is suitable for general audiences and high school+. Post-film program to include discussion with Old St. Patrick's Solidarity Market and fair trade vendors. Hear from Bethany Collins, Catholic Relief Services; Jill Johnson, Ten Thousand Villages; and others. Facilitator: Rachel Lyons, Organizer, Mission for Social Justice at Old St. Patrick's Church. Light refreshments will be served.

Sunday March 6, 12:30 pm/ Northside College Prep/ Tickets

*The film is suitable for high school and above. Fashion-inspired artwork and fashion show by Northside students! Post-film discussion focused on "slow fashion" and conscious clothing, with: Annie Novotny, Adjunct Professor, School of the Art Institute  Fashion Department; Sadie Monroe, Co-Founder of Fibre Athletics; Jamie Hayes, Department of Curiosities. Concrete action opportunities will also be made available through Zady: a Destination for Conscious Consumers, and Chicago Fair Trade. Refreshments will be served after the program. Facilitator: Seva Gandhi, Senior Program Coordinator, Institute of Cultural Affairs.

Sunday March 6th, 3:30 pm View & Brew!/ Wire Music Club/ Tickets (teens/pre-teens welcome, accompanied by parent/guardian)

*The film is suitable for high school and above. Beverages at this View & Brew screening will be available for purchase; patrons 21+ with ID may purchase alcoholic beverages.Post-film discussion about "slow fashion" and conscious clothing with Germaine Curry, Owner and Founder of Majamas clothing company. Facilitator: Stephanie McCray, Executive Coach, Consultant, Speaker.

Andrew Morgan & Michael Ross/ 2015/ 92 min/ Waste, Recycling

FILM DESCRIPTION: The True Cost is about the clothes we wear, the people who make them and the impact the industry is having on our world. The price of clothing has been decreasing for decades, while the human and environmental costs have grown dramatically. The True Cost is a groundbreaking documentary film that pulls back the curtain on the untold story and asks us to consider, who really pays the price for our clothing?

Young Children's International Short Films

Saturday March 5th, 10 am/Young Children's International Short Films/ Oak Park Public Library/ Tickets

Join us at Oak Park Library for a screening of three young international children's short films for ages 3-6+ The theme of the films "We are All Connected in Our One Earth" will teach children about this topic in a fun and engaging way. Discussion and fun, interactive activities will be offered. Action opportunities will be available from JR Herps (who will bring reptiles for the children to "meet"), The Oak Park Park District and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.  Facilitator: Wendy Negron, Early Childhood Educator.

The Lion and the Mouse/ Africa/ 10 min. In this wordless adaptation of one of Aesop’s most beloved fables, an unlikely pair learn that no act of kindness is ever wasted. With vivid depictions of the landscape of the African Serengeti and expressively-drawn characters, Pinkney makes this a truly special retelling. Combined with a rich soundtrack featuring traditional African vocal music and natural sound effects, Pinkney's stunning pictures speak volumes.

The First Snow of Winter/ United Kingdom/ 29 min. Winner of a BAFTA award for Best Animation at the 4th British Academy Children's Awards. Many other awards followed. Starring the voices of the late Dermot Morgan (Father Ted), Miriam Margolyes and Sorcha Cusack.

The Magic of Life/ India/ 6 min. Piku is a young boy who loves exploring his garden and is always up to all kinds of mischief. But one night a fairy comes to him and things change forever.