Spotlight:
Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital, DC-EFF, March 16-26
We have a strong presence at this year’s festival. Congratulations to all the selectees!! Mark your calendars for these events:
March 18th, 12:30pm, Eaton DC
“The Troubled Tributary: Maryland’s Patuxent River” explores the beauty and ongoing challenges of Maryland’s longest watershed, from pollution run-off that affects the most vulnerable communities, in particular historical Black communities, to rising water levels and other climate-crisis issues. It features Patuxent Riverkeeper Fred Tutman, the only African-American Riverkeeper in the United States, whose ancestors date back to Maryland’s first freed slaves. It was produced by the students of the Center For Environmental Filmmaking course in partnership with Maryland Public Television, COMM 568-Environment & Wildlife Production. Register here.
“Search for the Cooper: A River Hidden In Plain View” tells the story of four teenagers challenged to find the source of the Cooper River that runs through Camden County, NJ. They kayaked, hiked, mucked, and bushwhacked over six days and 17 miles on this unprecedented journey of discovery of a river, and themselves. Directed by David Harp and Produced by Sandy Cannon-Brown, who helped launch the Center For Environmental Filmmaking and our partnership with MPT. (We are forever grateful to Sandy!) Register here.
March 21, Reception at 6pm, Program at 7pm, AU McKinley Building
“Upstream, Downriver” features community activists on the frontlines fighting for water justice and equity. Their powerful stories are interwoven with historical context about the successes and failures of the Clean Water Act. From Lowndes County, Alabama to the Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho, the documentary takes viewers on a journey of environmental justice and into the heart of the battle for clean water for everyone. This DC-EFF screening event panel features filmmakers Maggie Burnette Stogner and MFA grad student Marissa Woods, Patuxent Riverkeeper Fred Tutman, and EarthJustice water attorney Julian Gonzalez. ALUMNI are encouraged to attend this in-person networking event at American University! 6pm reception, 7pm screening and panel, followed by a dessert reception. The event is open to the public and free. Register here.
March 22nd, 7pm, Eaton DC
“Mapping Love” - Alum Mary Alice McMillan’s new film (this is her AU thesis film) is an Official Selection at the DC Environmental Film Festival! In this intimate documentary, join Mary as she travels with her mom and aunt to investigate why all the women in her family have developed breast cancer, and how an environmental disaster years before her birth could be affecting her health today. Watch the trailer here! Register here.
“Trashman” - Alum Lawrence Green’s award-winning film (this is his AU thesis film) Trashman is a personal exploration of the filmmaker’s neighborhood trash pollution problem and what community activists in Ward 8 Washington, D.C. are doing to solve this issue. Trashman spotlights Ward 8 Woods, a Washington, D.C. based non-profit organization and their dedicated staff and volunteers as they restore woodlands and clean city streets filled with trash. Trashman compares the stark differences between the maintenance of Rock Creek Park located in a wealthier section of Washington, D.C. to parklands in Ward 8, a less affluent area of the city. Register here.
March 26, 2:30-5:30pm, Eaton DC
Grad student Ashley Luke has been selected as one of six finalists for the DCEFF Vantage Grant. These emerging BIPOC filmmakers working on environmental themes received pitch training and mentorship from Chicken & Egg co-founder and award-winning filmmaker Judith Helfand. They will pitch to a panel of leading funders, producers, distributors and environmental advocates.The panel of experts will determine the winning project, which will receive $12,500 made possible by support from Prince Charitable Trusts. An additional $500 will be evenly distributed amongst the remaining projects. Good luck Ashley!! Register here.