Mini Film Fest 2019
Films hosted by One Earth
At most events, enjoy rich programming, including filmmaker Q&As, expert panelists and community partners who can help you plug into actions and projects. Check back for specifics.
Put on jointly by the City of Chicago and One Earth Film Festival. All these events are FREE, with a suggested $8 donation. Please register in advance to ensure your seat. Times listed are film start times.
Please arrive up to 30 minutes before doors open to avoid lines and get the best seats.
Happening
6:30 to 9 p.m. Monday, April 22
Loyola University Chicago
Damen Student Center Cinema
6511 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago
Arrive at 5:30 p.m. to TEST DRIVE A TESLA!
To volunteer: go here
Doors open at 6 p.m. for refreshments and to learn from local Action Partners advocating on issues relevant to the film.
James Redford/2017/71 min/Energy
FILM DESCRIPTION: Filmmaker James Redford embarks on a colorful personal journey into the dawn of the clean energy era as it creates jobs, turns profits, and makes communities stronger and healthier across the US. Unlikely entrepreneurs in communities from Georgetown, TX to Buffalo, NY reveal pioneering clean energy solutions while James’ discovery of how clean energy works, and what it means at a personal level, becomes the audiences’ discovery too. Reaching well beyond a great story of technology and innovation, “Happening” explores issues of human resilience, social justice, embracing the future, and finding hope for our survival.
***After the film, stay for an engaging discussion about renewable energy for communities, households, and municipalities -- and learn about the City of Chicago's newly-passed resolution for 100% renewable energy by 2040. Participate in Q&A with Kyra Woods of the Sierra Club Ready for 100 Collective, Matt Lorentz of Sunrise Chicago/Loyola Student Environmental Alliance, and Pastor Booker Stephen Vance of Elevate Energy. Learn about concrete action opportunities from Action Partners Sierra Club Ready for 100 Collective, Elevate Energy, Laura Orrico of Sunrise Chicago/Loyola Student Environmental Alliance, and Greta Kimbrell of Citizen's Climate Lobby. Facilitator: Susan Lucci, 2Big4Words and Co-Founder, Global Purpose Guides. Special welcome by Ranjani Prabhakar from City of Chicago Mayor's Office.
*About the Tesla test drives: Arrive early to experience a Tesla test ride. What does it feel like to go from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 2.5 seconds without a drop of gasoline? You’re about to find out. Tesla invites you to learn how they are working toward their mission of accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy and experience the latest Tesla technology yourself during test rides in the award-winning Model X and Model S; also see the new Model 3. Rides will be available before and after the "Happening" screening at Loyola University, beginning at 5:30 p.m. check in with a Tesla rep at the Cinema and then proceed south out of the Damen Center to the Campus Drive loading zone in front of Cuneo Hall.
Young Filmmakers Screenings
Join us for a screening of several honorable mention films from the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest. These shorts explore a range of sustainability topics (plastic pollution, fast fashion, edible gardens, etc.) and were written, directed and edited by youth ages 8 to 25.
Student entrants were asked to create a 3 to 8-minute film about one of six sustainability topics: energy, food, transportation, waste, water, or open space/ecosystems. Out of 157 submissions, 22 jurors chose 4 first place prizes and 15 honorable mentions.
On March 2, the top 4 winning films screened at the Gene Siskel Center in Chicago, but time was too short to screen all 15 winning honorable mentions. This follow up event will highlight many student winners from local schools: Lincoln Elementary School in River Forest, L.J. Hauser Junior High School in Riverside, Grace Lutheran School in River Forest, York High School in Elmhurst, Maine West High School in DesPlaines, and Northwestern University.
After the films, stay to learn ways to act locally from our Action Partners: Midwest Grows Green, River Forest Sustainability Commission, Little Bits Workshop, and Deep Roots Project. Facilitator: Sue Crothers Gee, Founding Director - One Earth Film Festival Young Filmmakers Contest.
Sustainable
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago
Meet filmmaker Matt Wechsler!
To volunteer: go here
Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for refreshments and to learn from local Action Partners advocating on issues relevant to the film.
Matt Wechsler/2016/52 min/Food-Agriculture
FILM DESCRIPTION: A vital investigation of the economic and environmental instability of America’s food system, from the agricultural issues we face — soil loss, water depletion, climate change, pesticide use — to the community of leaders who are determined to fix it. Sustainable is a film about the land, the people who work it and what must be done to sustain it for future generations.
The narrative of the film focuses on Marty Travis, a seventh-generation farmer in central Illinois who watched his land and community fall victim to the pressures of big agribusiness. Determined to create a proud legacy for his son, Marty transforms his profitless wasteland and pioneers the sustainable food movement in Chicago
***Filmmaker and film subject Q&A! After the film, stay for a Q&A with "Sustainable" Director Matt Wechsler, and Greg Wade, Head Baker at Chicago's Publican Quality Bread. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for refreshments and opportunities to learn from Action Partners Angela Taylor of Garfield Park Community Council/Fulton Community Garden, and Mary Fran Riley of The Hatchery, Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, and Accion Chicago. Facilitator: Doug Dixon.
Before the Flood
5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27
Jackson Park Fieldhouse
6401 S. Stony Island Ave., Chicago
To volunteer: go here
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for refreshments and to learn from local Action Partners advocating on issues relevant to the film.
Fisher Stevens/2016/93 min/Climate Change
FILM DESCRIPTION: If you could know the truth about the threat of climate change — would you want to know? Before the Flood, presented by National Geographic, features Leonardo DiCaprio on a journey as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, traveling to five continents and the Arctic to witness climate change firsthand. He goes on expeditions with scientists uncovering the reality of climate change and meets with political leaders fighting against inaction. With unprecedented access to thought leaders around the world, DiCaprio searches for hope in a rising tide of catastrophic news.
Jackson Park Earth Day Schedule of Events:
1:00-3:00: Community Action Project at 62nd and Stony Island Park Playground cleanup and rechipping.
3:30-4:30: Community Walking and Virtual Reality (VR) Tour Of Obama Presidential Center using "eyes on" VR technology, plus discussion with Center landscape architect and staff. Meet at 62nd and Stony Island Playground.
4:30-5:00: Community Action Fair opens at Jackson Park Fieldhouse Gymnasium at 6401 Stony Island
5:00-6-30: One Earth Film Fest Movie: "Before the Flood" starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
6:30 -7:00: After the film, enjoy a community discussion of the film and action ideas. Facilitator: Dawn Posey, Jackson Park Advisory Council and Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce
Thank you to Jackson Park Earth Day Action Partners: The Nature Conservancy, Openlands TreeKeepers, Sunrise Movement, Obama Presidential Center, South Side Neighbors for Hope, One Woodlawn, Chicago Park District, HPKCC , AYSO, 5th Ward-Parks, JPGA and many other community groups.