our story
Will return for its 13th year on April 17 to 23, 2024
One Earth Film Festival is the Midwest’s premier environmental film festival, creating opportunities for understanding climate change, sustainability and the power of people. It showcases top-issue, thought-provoking environmental films, leads audiences in interactive post-film discussions focused on solutions, and offers concrete actions people can take. One Earth Film Festival is a production of One Earth Collective.
Background:
One Earth Film Festival is a Chicago area film festival that creates opportunities for understanding climate change, sustainability and the power of human involvement through sustainability-themed films and facilitated discussion. We engage private, public and non-profit sector community partners in the sponsorship and production of the film festival.
Our last festival ran from March 3-12, with Earth Day from April 19 to 23, 2023 . Almost 4,500 attendees viewed and participated in 29 in person and 17 virtual screenings of short and feature length films. Through our synchronous virtual screenings, we reached audience members in 48 states and 46 countries. The 2024 festival will streamline and focus its reach and impact.
Mission, Vision and Goals
Mission:
Through sustainability-themed films and facilitated discussion — educate, raise awareness, and inspire the adoption of solution-oriented sustainable actions.
Vision:
Stimulate, energize and activate communities through deep involvement in the One Earth Film Festival, maximizing citizen reach and expanding the movement.
Goals:
1) Create thought-provoking, transformative opportunities for understanding climate change, sustainability, and the power of human involvement.
2) Pack an intensive education & awareness punch through rich film stories, interactive discussions, and experiences.
3) “Expand the movement” by attracting people not generally involved in or already committed to “green” activities.
Organizers
One Earth Local (formerly Green Community Connections) is a community-based, volunteer-driven organization devoted to creating a sustainable future in the Oak Park and River Forest, Illinois, area. One Earth Local works to build resilient, environmentally sustainable community locally, and we strive to be an environmental leader in the greater Chicago metropolitan area.
Our mission is to develop a deeper understanding of natural systems, build community, and inspire change that promotes sustainability at the family, organizational and public policy levels.
One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest
Twelve years ago, Green Community Connections introduced the annual One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest. The contest is open to students from grades 3 through college level and was created with the goal of engaging youth in the discussion about sustainability issues and getting them thinking about solutions. Each winning filmmaker will receive a cash prize and matching grant of equal value to be given to a non-profit organization chosen by the filmmaker. Winning films are featured at One Earth Film Festival. For more information, contact [email protected].