Festival audiences expect to leave screenings with information that will guide them in taking the next steps on their sustainability journey. That is the Power of We. When people feel connected to others by a common passion or commitment, much gets done. Problems are solved. Communities become healthier. The Earth gets healed.
Chicago is fortunate to have many advocates on the front lines of climate action and environmental and social justice.
Betsy was inspired by this year’s OEFF’s theme, The Power of We, to unite people across differences, to collaborate for the planet and future generations. “The theme line really offers a point of view for the direction of the film fest, and one that speaks to me personally,” she said. “I love the grassroots flavor and the way it challenges us. What’s better than empowering us as individuals to work together on important issues facing our planet?”
This year, One Earth is looking to the power of collective action to make the change we need. Participation without cooperation will only get us so far, and far is where we need to go, fast! We are witnessing the necessity of collaboration, as seen in campaigns like “ban the straw” and global climate strikes.
Educators across the country are turning to the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest (YFC) as a teaching tool for their students. YFC can teach valuable lessons in science, art, communications and enhance the overall learning experience, they say.
“This contest was a great way for [my students] to translate their research into something interesting for a lay audience,” Nancy Landrum, who teaches sustainable business management at Chicago’s Loyola University, said.
The City of Chicago issued its letter of support (excerpted below) for the festival’s ninth season:
"One Earth Film Festival is a leader in bringing citizens, filmmakers, and local advocacy groups together in community -- in dialogue as well as action -- around multiple sustainability topics, to enact concrete and measurable change. It is in this spirit of mutual interest and cooperation that the City of Chicago expresses its continued support for the One Earth Film Festival."
-- Cara Bader, Chief Sustainability Officer, Office of the Mayor, City of Chicago
