My Stuff

Pre-Event Screening: Thursday Feb. 25th, 6:30/ River Forest Public Library/ Tickets

This film is paired at the Forest Park Public Library with a shorter film, Bea Johnson's Zero Waste Lifestyle. Stay for a brief, post-film program and discussion focused on the topics of waste and consumerism, and voluntary simplicity. Featuring Q&A with Rachel Lyons, member of Emmaus House in Lawndale focused on racial justice, hospitality, and accompaniment. She is also the Organizer for the Mission of Social Justice at Old St. Patrick’s Church. Facilitator: Seamus Ford, Co-Founder, Root Riot Urban Garden Network.

Saturday March 5th, 12 pm/ University of Chicago International House (Assembly Hall)/ Tickets

Stay after the film to learn about concrete, local action opportunities. University of Chicago Climate Action Network and the Sierra Club will be present. Facilitator: Pam Bergdall, Independent Professional, Trainer, Energy Partner.

Sunday March 6th, 12:30 pm/ Haymarket Pub & Brewery (Writing & Theater Room)/ Tickets (teens/pre-teens welcome, accompanied by parent/guardian)

Please stay for post-film discussion, and concrete opportunities for action. Steve Ediger, member GreenRise community, to discuss a daily commitment to simple living. Facilitator: Gary Cuneen, Founding Executive Director, Seven Generations Ahead.

Petri Luukkanen/ 2013/ 52 min/ Waste, Recycling

FILM DESCRIPTION: Petri Luukkanen, 26, is amidst an existential crisis when he begins filming My Stuff. He arrives at the idea that his happiness might be found by rebuilding his everyday existence. What does he really need – and what about all that stuff? See what he discovers about himself and the "stuff" he really needs.

PlantPure Nation

Sunday March 6th, 3:30 pm/ Garfield Park Conservatory/ Tickets

Stay after the film for discussion and Q&A with:

Angela Taylor

, Community Gardener and Wellness Coordinator of the Garfield Park Community Council;

Ramona Baptiste

, Chef and CEO of Chef in the Hood Inc.;

Dr. Paul Schattauer

, Physican and Owner, The Green Medical Practice.

Facilitator:

Mattie Wilson

, Sustainability and Adult Programs Manager at Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance.

Nelson Campbell/ 2015/ 95 min/ Food, Agriculture

FILM DESCRIPTION: The documentary film Plant Pure Nation tells the story of three people on a quest to spread the message of one of the most important health breakthroughs of all time. After renowned nutritional scientist and bestselling author, T. Colin Campbell, gives a stirring speech on the floor of the Kentucky House of Representatives, his son, Nelson, and Kentucky State Representative, Tom Riner, work together to propose a pilot program documenting the health benefits of a plant-based diet. Once the legislation goes into Committee, agribusiness lobbyists kill the plan.

Play Again (Encore Presentation!)

Saturday March 5th, 3 pm/ Thatcher Pavilion/ Tickets

Post-film program includes Q&A with Sue Dombro, Naturalist and Director, Hal Tyrrell Trailside Museum. Sue will share about nature play opportunities and hands-on activities. *Teens and general audiences encouraged to attend this thought-provoking, acclaimed film! Facilitator: Susan Lucci, Professional Trainer & Coach.

Tonje Hessen Schei/ 2010/ 82 min/ Health & the Environment 

FILM DESCRIPTION: This moving and humorous documentary follows six teenagers who, like the “average American child,” spend five to fifteen hours a day behind screens. Play Again unplugs these teens and takes them on their first wilderness adventure – no electricity, no cell phone coverage, no virtual reality. Through the voices of children and leading experts including a journalist, sociologist, environmental writer, educator, neuroscientist, parks advocate, and geneticist, Play Again investigates the consequences of a childhood removed from nature and encourages action for a sustainable future.

Racing Extinction

Saturday March 5th, 10 am/ Classic Cinemas Lake Theater/ Tickets

Stay after the film for Q&A with Dave Mrazek and Joel Greenberg, filmmaker and writer of "From Billions to None" as they lead a discussion on endangered species, extinction, and what can be done. Concessions will be available for purchasing snacks and beverages. Facilitator: Gary Cuneen, Founding Executive Director, Seven Generations Ahead.

Saturday March 5th 7 pm/ University of Chicago Logan Center for the Arts/ Tickets

Post-film action opportunities will be shared by the University of Chicago Climate Action Network, the Citizen's Climate Lobby, and other local advocacy groups. Refreshments will be served. Facilitator: Jim Haried, Senior Manager, Climate Change & Sustainability Services, Ernst & Young.

Louie Psihoyos/ 2015/ 90 min/ Climate Change & Community Response

FILM DESCRIPTION: Racing Extinction follows a team of artists and activists who expose the hidden world of extinction with never-before-seen images that will change the way we see the planet forever. See what could be going extinct right in front of our eyes.

Saving My Tomorrow (Family Film!)

Saturday March 5th, 11:30 am/ Oak Park Public Library/ Tickets

Arrive at 11A for healthy snacks and a healthy snack- making demo by The Kids’ Table! Stay for post-film panel with a children's educator, local youth who are green leaders in their communities-- and simple, related follow up and take home activities. Please note, all children must be accompanied by an adult. Families with children through middle school are encouraged to attend together; these films are great for family discussion! Facilitator: Wendy Negron, Early Childhood Educator.

Saturday March 5th, 3 pm/ Prairie Crossing Charter / Tickets

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

Amy Schatz/ 2015/ Family Film

FILM DESCRIPTION: HBO and The American Museum of Natural History present Saving My Tomorrow, a six part family series on the environment. From the children who will inherit the planet, comes a collection of songs, activism, and heartfelt tips for protecting the earth. Kids share their thoughts on subjects ranging from endangered animals and pollution to climate change. This is an inspirational family film, great for the whole family and children ages 7 and up!

Seeds of Time

Saturday March 5th, 11 am/ Sulzer Regional Library/ Tickets

Post-film discussion with biodiversity and "slow food" panelists, including:

Michael Stein

, Food Campaigns Director, Green America.

Laurell Sims

, Slow Food Chicago, Ark of Taste; Production/Marketing Manager, Growing Power Chicago.

Alison Parker

, Farmer at Radical Root; Growing Power Board of Directors.

Facilitator:

Seamus Ford

, Co-Founder, Root Riot Urban Garden Network.

Opportunities for taking concrete action will also be shared by 

Peterson Garden Project

, and others.

Sandy McLeod/ 2013/ 77 min/ Food, Agriculture

FILM DESCRIPTION: A perfect storm is brewing as agriculture pioneer Cary Fowler races against time to protect the future of our food. Seed banks around the world are crumbling, crop failures are producing starvation and rioting, and the accelerating effects of climate change are affecting farmers globally. Communities of indigenous Peruvian farmers are already suffering those effects, as they try desperately to save over 1,500 varieties of native potato in their fields. But with little time to waste, both Fowler and the farmers embark on passionate and personal journeys that may save the one resource we cannot live without: our seeds. Visit Seeds of Time official site.

Soil Carbon Cowboys

Sunday March 6th, 6:30 pm/ 19th Century Club/ Tickets(Arrive at 5:30 pm to experience the Nissan Electric LEAF)

Please join us for ourClosing Screening & Reception!

Soil Carbon Cowboys will be paired with 2 other short films, Food for Thought, Food for Life and Man in the Maze. The program features post-film discussion about the regeneration of our food systems, our health, and ultimately our society. Refreshments and opportunities for relevant local action will also be shared. Facilitator: Seamus Ford, Co-Founder, Root Riot Urban Garden Network.

Peter Byck/ 2014/ 12 min/ Food, Agriculture

FILM DESCRIPTION: Meet Allen Williams, Gabe Brown and Neil Dennis - heroes and innovators! These ranchers now know how to regenerate their soils while making their animals healthier and their operations more profitable. They are turning on their soils, enabling rainwater to sink into the earth rather than run off. And these turned on soils retain that water, so the ranches are much more resilient in drought. Soil Carbon Cowboys is an amazing story that has just begun.

Sun Come Up

Saturday March 5th, 3 pm/ Location/ Tickets

Jennifer Redfearn/ 2011/ 38 min/ Climate Change & Community Response

Sun Come Up is an Academy Award® nominated film that shows the human face of climate change. The film follows the relocation of the Carteret Islanders, a community living on a remote island chain in the South Pacific Ocean, and now, some of the world’s first environmental refugees. When climate change threatens their survival, the islanders face a painful decision. They must leave their ancestral land in search of a new place to call home. Sun Come Up follows a group of young islanders as they search for land and build relationships in war-torn Bougainville, 50 miles across the open ocean.

Sun Come Up (trailer) from Sun Come Up on Vimeo.

Food & Agriculture

"Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret"

Filmmaker: Kip Anderson

TICKETS - Saturday, March 7, 11 am

Elmhurst College, Schaible Science Center (corner of Prospect and Elm), Illinois Hall.   -- 190 S. Prospect Avenue

Watch the Trailer

*Followed by post film Q&A

Animal agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, water consumption and pollution, is responsible for more greenhouse gases than the transportation industry, and is a primary driver of rainforest destruction, species extinction, habitat loss, topsoil erosion, ocean “dead zones,” and virtually every other environmental ill. Yet it goes on, almost entirely unchallenged.

As Andersen approaches leaders in the environmental movement, he increasingly uncovers what appears to be an intentional refusal to discuss the issue of animal agriculture, while industry whistleblowers and watchdogs warn him of the risks to his freedom and even his life if he dares to persist.

Edible City

Filmmaker: Andrew Hasse

Watch the Trailer

Screenings Date & Time TBA

Rating TBA

Edible City  introduces a diverse cast of extraordinary San Francisco based activists who are challenging the paradigm of our broken food system.  The film digs deep into their unique perspectives and transformative work, finding inspirational, grass-roots solutions based on growing local food systems and economies.

Ground Operations:

Battlefields to Farm Fields

Filmmaker:

Watch the Trailer

Screenings Date & Time TBA

Rating TBA

 America needs a million new farmers. Veterans want the job! Ground Operations: Battlefields to Farmfields champions combat vets who are rebuilding their own lives as organic farmers & ranchers and revitalizing their communities with access to local, affordable, fresh, healthy food. These heroes blow the lid off stereotypes and you’ll be rooting for them all the way to your farmers market.

The Sustainable

Sunday March 6th 12:30 pm/ Ascension Catholic Church / Tickets

A light lunch will be served at noon, immediately prior to the films. Three short films (Bomb Trains on the Hudson, Backyard, and The Sustainable) will be woven together with quotes from the recent Papal Encyclical, Laudato Si, which urges a sense of integral ecology and care for our common home and common family. Post-film opportunities include a panel of experts in trains that carry hazardous materials, fracking in Illinois and updates on the solar energy field. There will be time for Q&A and opportunities to take concrete action on various issues, including local environmental issues in Cicero and information on socially responsible investing (Joe O'Krepky with Edward Jones). Facilitator: Gina Orlando, DePaul Faculty; Wellness Coach, Consultant, Hypnotherapist at Healthy is Wealthy.

Panelists include:Alexis Aurigemma, Co-producer of the film "The Sustainable" Lisa Albrecht, Board member of ISEA (Illinois Solar Energy Association) Stacey Durley Hess, Environmental consultant for environmental investigations and remediation in the Midwest. Dawn Dannenbring, Environmental organizer for Illinois Peoples Action

Justin Cerone/ 2015/ 22 min/ Architecture & Building

FILM DESCRIPTION: The Sustainable is a documentary about a couple in Upstate New York and their decision to design and build their home to produce its own electricity. Watch the trailer to see their home's amazing transformation and how this project changed their lives.