One Earth Film Festival brings environmental awareness
One Earth Film Festival is an annual event that presents environmental films with the goal of creating a greater understanding of climate change, sustainability and what people can do to make a difference.
This is the event's seventh year, and the theme for 2018 is "This Is the Moment." Running March 2-11, the festival will screen films throughout the Chicago region, including several in the suburbs.
"This is the Moment" underscores the urgency for awareness and action as the effects of climate change intensify across the planet. As part of its programs, One Earth Film Festival will encourage attendees to support or sign up for concrete actions they can take to ensure a healthy planet. Festival programs will offer multiple solution-based opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds.
"Films tell us stories about our times and who we are," festival director Ana Garcia Doyle said.
"At the festival's core is the mission to share stories not only about environmental challenges, but also the inspiring stories of human resilience and creativity in confronting them. We see this is as a clear moment to step up in a real and loving way to commit ourselves to being kinder stewards of our one and only Earth."
One Earth Film Festival strives to bring the highest quality environmental documentaries and solution-oriented programs to audiences. This year's festival will present 33 films in more than 50 screenings at 47 venues.
Selected films include "An Inconvenient Sequel," "Chasing Coral," "Wasted," "Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution," "Jane," "Dolores," and "Rancher, Farmer, Fisherman." Several filmmakers also plan to attend.
Through its programming, OEFF addresses issues surrounding water, energy, transportation, food, waste and recycling, environmental advocacy, social justice and climate change.
Programs are built around full-feature films or a mix of short films, followed by action-oriented discussions led by highly regarded environmental experts and advocates in the area.
The Green Carpet Gala, the festival's signature opening event, is 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 2, at the Gratz Center of Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, 115. E. Delaware Place, in the Magnificent Mile neighborhood.
The evening will feature food, drink, networking, entertainment and a brief program focused on the "This Is the Moment" theme.
Screenings are held in museums, churches, schools and universities, libraries, conservatories, cultural centers and other easily-accessible public spaces. Most screenings are free with a suggested $7 donation. Tickets to the Green Carpet Gala are $75 in advance, $80 at the door. Reservations are required for all events.
For more information, visit www.oneearthfilmfest.org.
We contacted Cassandra West, a publicist for the festival, for more information.
"This year's festival theme, 'This Is the Moment,' is our call to action," West said. "Through the many films we're screening, and the action opportunities we're offering, we hope to motivate and inspire people to seize the moment."
Q: Can you give us a general overview of what the One Earth Film Festival does?
A: One Earth Film Festival had its humble beginnings in an Oak Park living room in 2012. Members of the local sustainability organization Green Community Connections were discussing ways to help people become more aware of environmental challenges.
When Ana Garcia Doyle, now the festival director, suggested that film would be a perfect vehicle, several GGC members launched into action and the first festival took place seven weeks later, reaching more than 500 people, mostly from the Oak Park River Forest area.
By the end of its 2017 festival, One Earth had reached nearly 6,000 people through its programs.
Q: What is the goal of the festival? How does it seek to help the community and world?
A: To spread awareness about environmental issues and challenges and offer people avenues and opportunities to address them.
Q: Is there anything new or different about this year's event compared to previous years'?
A: We're offering 100 action opportunities across 55 screenings.
(Action opportunities introduce attendees to ways they can make a difference in ways relevant to the films being screened, such as meeting a variety of women's green groups at the screening of "Dolores" at Google in Chicago on March 5; signing up with the Climate Reality Project at the screening of "An Inconvenient Sequel" at Northwestern University in Evanston on March 8; joining Earth Guardians, a youth engagement group that mobilizes young people in the fight against climate change, at the screening of "Kokota: The Islet of Hope" at Warren Township High School in Gurnee on March 10.)
Q: What events or activities does the festival offer in addition to the film screenings?
A: Professionally facilitated post-film discussions with local experts.
Q: How many people attended last year?
A: 5,600
Q: What do guests' donations support?
A: We are nonprofit. Ticket sales help defray costs associated with producing the festival: film licensing, venue rental, printing, audio visual rentals, etc.
Q: Are there ways people attending the festival help out in addition to donations?
A: We seek volunteers to help out at screening events. Anyone can sign up at www.signupgenius.com/go/30e094baaac28aa8-oneearth7.
Q: How can people who are unable to attend the event help out?
A: Sign up for newsletters on our website. Visit www.oneearthfilmfest.org and click "Get E-News" in the "About" menu.