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Join us Wednesday, September 17th at 7:00 p.m. as our Sustainability Film Series continues with an award-winning documentary delving into the relationship between humans and microplastics!

Admission is FREE and open to the public – Tickets are required

This event will feature a pre-show presentation by Liliana Kijeck

About the film

The award-winning feature documentary Plastic People investigates our addiction to plastic and the growing threat of microplastics on human health. Almost every bit of plastic ever made breaks down into “microplastics.” These microscopic particles drift in the air, float in all bodies of water, and mix into the soil, becoming a permanent part of the environment. Now, leading scientists are finding these particles in our bodies: organs, blood, brain tissue, and even the placentas of new mothers. What is the impact of these invisible invaders on our health? And can anything be done about it?

Acclaimed author and science journalist Ziya Tong takes a personal approach by visiting leading scientists around the world and undergoing experiments in her home, on her food, and her body while collaborating with award-winning director Ben Addelman (Discordia, Bombay Calling, Nollywood Babylon, Kivalina v. Exxon) in an urgent call to action for all of us to rethink our relationship with plastic.

About the speaker

Liliana Kijeck is a recent graduate of Ohio University’s Master of Science in Environmental Studies Master’s program and a new Appalachian Ohio Restore Corps AmeriCorps member with Raccoon Creek Partnership at the Ridges in Athens. Originally from the Cleveland area, Liliana grew up spending all of her time outside and in Lake Erie, which prompted her to study political science at Cleveland State University in order to understand environmental politics and policy, the politics of conservation and sustainability, and human-environment relationships. During her Master’s program, she spent her time focusing directly on human and environmental interactions, water quality, and specifically plastic pollution and microplastic occurrence in drinking water in relation to socioeconomic and demographic aspects.

Check out the rest of our line-up of films in the Sustainability Film Series

This series was made possible thanks to the following sponsors:

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84 MIN

Join us on Wednesday, October 1st at 7:00 p.m. as our Sustainability Film Series features an excellent documentary that examines the effects of invasive species that threaten the close-to-home ecosystems in the Lake Erie region!

Admission is FREE and open to the public – Tickets are required

This event will include a preshow presentation by Amy Jewitt from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

About the film

Lake Erie, one of the most picturesque landscapes and important ecosystems in Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and nearby regions are at risk from aquatic invasive species. In the new film, “Seeing The Unseen: Aquatic Invaders & What’s at Stake,” executive produced by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program staff, you’ll learn how hundreds of aquatic invasive species are negatively affecting Lake Erie and its watershed and nearby regions.

Invasive species – non-native species that do not occur naturally in an area and grow quickly and aggressively, out-competing native species for food, habitat and other limited resources – are threatening the health and biodiversity of this rich and important natural ecosystem. This film provides tangible actions we all can take to prevent the spread of invasives and protect Lake Erie and nearby regions.

About the speaker

Amy Jewitt, a co-executive producer for this film, serves as the Invasive Species Coordinator at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program. Amy’s past experiences with both the Plum Pox Virus and Asian Longhorned Beetle eradication programs have made her a passionate advocate for raising awareness of the impacts invasive species have on the environment, economy, and human health and well-being.

Amy has a combined 12 years of professional experience working with invasive species eradication programs and tracking invasive species locations and management efforts. Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science from Penn State University with minors in horticulture, international agriculture and leadership development.

Check out the rest of our line-up of films in the Sustainability Film Series

This series was made possible thanks to the following sponsors:

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45 MIN

Join us Wednesday, October 15th at 7:00 p.m. as our Sustainability Film Series examines the injustices climate change through resilient South Florida communities on the edge of crisis!

Admission is FREE and open to the public – Tickets are required

About the film

Shedding light on the resilience of communities facing the brunt of climate injustice, Edge of Hope, focuses on Miami, FL as the city grapples with rising sea levels, extreme heat, intensified hurricanes, and other harbingers of crisis. The film uncovers how systemic inequities magnify the challenges of climate change, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations. By weaving together the voices of experts and community advocates, the film presents a powerful narrative of both struggle and determination.

More than just a documentary, Edge of Hope is a testament to the power of resistance and collective hope. It challenges viewers to reflect on the systemic forces at play while inspiring change through community-driven solutions. As climate threats escalate, this film serves as a crucial reminder that hope, and action remain vital in the fight for environmental justice.

About the speakers

David Dugard is a Miami native whose work centers on community engagement, equity, and resilience. He currently serves as the Program Director for the Mellon-funded FIU Commons for Justice Project, which partners with historically Black and Brown communities in Miami to address longstanding social and environmental inequities. As one of the directors of The Edge of Hope, David helped bring to life the stories and voices of Miami residents who continue to shape the city’s future in the face of challenge and change. Through his work, he explores how storytelling and collective action can strengthen community bonds and inspire meaningful progress.

Kevin Grove is Professor of Geography at Florida International University, and editor at Progress in Human Geography. His research focuses on the political geographies of resilience, disaster management and environmental security, which he has explored in Kingston, Jamaica, New York City, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and most recently, Miami, where he led the “redesigning resilience” research team in the FIU Commons for Justice project. He is the author of over 80 peer reviewed articles and chapters, including his 2018 book Resilience, which examines the links between ecological resilience theory, design thinking, and their adoption in national and local government policies initiatives. Kevin received his PhD in 2011 from the Ohio State University, and currently splits his time between Miami and Athens with his wife and son. He is a proud supporter of local youth soccer and recently coached his son’s U12 soccer team, the Adena Spears.

Check out the rest of our line-up of films in the Sustainability Film Series

This series was made possible thanks to the following sponsors:

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106 MIN

Join us Wednesday, October 29th at 7:00 p.m. for an uplifting documentary detailing the situation from the front-line of America’s dysfunctional food system!

Admission is FREE and open to the public – Tickets are required

This event will include a pre-show presentation by Ohio University Associate Professor Dr. David Rosenthal of the Environmental and Plant Biology Department

About the film

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101 MIN

Join us on Wednesday, November 12th at 7:00 p.m. as our Sustainability Film Series concludes with a beautiful film about disappearing landscapes and a vanishing ways of life!

Admission is FREE and open to the public – Tickets are required

About the film

On a remote island, a deeply-rooted Christian fishing community grapples with the quiet erosion of their land and their traditions. Their centuries-old way of life, sustained by faith and the rhythms of the bay, is now at a poignant crossroads—one that may force them from the only home they’ve ever known.

Been Here Stay Here is a quiet, immersive portrait of Tangier Island, a centuries-old Christian fishing community in Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay. Long used as a symbol in the national climate conversation, Tangier is often portrayed through a lens of skepticism or scorn — framed as “America’s first climate casualty” and written off as a place in denial. This film offers another way in. With no experts, voiceovers, or statistics, Been Here Stay Here invites viewers into the lived experience of the island’s residents — through faith, memory, and the rhythms of daily life. By stepping away from spectacle and alarm, the film allows the community to speak on its own terms, revealing not denial but devotion: to place, to faith, and to a way of life that refuses easy categorization. Inspired by the work of climate scientist and Evangelical Christian Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, the film models a conversation rooted in relationship, not rhetoric. In the end, it’s less about the water at the doorstep than it is about what rises within us when we choose to listen, stay, and understand.

About the speaker

Abdoulie Singhateh is a dual degree student with Master of Science in environment Studies and Master’s in Public Administration in the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service. He is a Graduate Assistant for the Administration Hub at the Ohio University, Office of Sustainability. He holds a bachelor’s degree in development studies from the University of the Gambia.

Abdoulie has over five years of experience working for international organizations. He worked for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) country office in The Gambia, working with migrants and their host communities facilitating return and reintegration programs under the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund. He later worked for GIZ which is a German International Development Cooperation under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Fund for Regional Stabilization and Development for two years working directly on Reintegration programs for migrants through skilled and livelihood-based training programs in The Gambia, Guinea Bissau and Nigeria. He is focused on international development corporations in the areas of environment, climate change, migration, peacebuilding and youth empowerment,

His research interest is focused on Climate-induced migration with a specific focus on exploring the complex dynamics of migration as an adaptive responsive for coastal communities in Sub -Saharan Africa with The Gambia as the country of focus.

He likes volunteering for the environment, playing soccer, hanging out with friends at the beach, and playing games during his free time.

Check out the rest of our line-up of films in the Sustainability Film Series

This series was made possible thanks to the following sponsors:

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90 MIN

About the Film

In 2007, photojournalist James Balog and a team of researchers, climate scientists, engineers, and mountaineers, founded the EIS (Extreme Ice Survey) to study and document the climatic phenomenon of melting ice in the Earth’s seas and glaciers. Balog figured (correctly) that there was no better way to alert people to the effects of global warming than by showing them irrefutable photographic proof of the planet’s increasing temperatures which are driving the disappearance of ice formations that have lasted for tens of thousands of years. Through Balog’s lens, viewers get a stark reminder that action against human-led climate change must be taken immediately, before the ecological scales are forever thrown out of balance.

Winner of an Emmy for Outstanding Nature Programming and a Satellite Award for Best Documentary, Chasing Ice was directed by Jeff Orlowski-Yang, who also oversaw the cinematography for the production. The film is a visual triumph coupled to a story of the urgent need to reexamine our impact on our fragile environment.

About the series

Athena Cinema, University Libraries, and OHIO’s Environmental Studies Program present the 11th annual Sustainability Film Series.

This year’s batch of films will be centered on reflecting the urgency of what is before us. After a decade of screening movies and hosting discussions led by experts from the OHIO student body and faculty and the Athens community detailing the problems facing the world, this semester’s focus will be on solutions.

The films will demonstrate that a collaborative approach to problem-solving — involving all members of our global community, regardless of age, ethnicity, or gender — is a necessity. Education is the first crucial step in both understanding the world’s problems and developing sustainable solutions.

Following the screening of each of these beautiful, thought-provoking, and timely films, audience members are invited to join us for a panel discussion hosted by OHIO faculty members, students, and members of the Athens community.

The series is sponsored by Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, OHIO Honors Program, Honors Tutorial College, Cutler Scholars, Office of Sustainability, Center for Campus & Community Engagement, University College and beloved nonprofits and businesses.

Free admission and post-show discussion as part of the Spring Sustainability Series.

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75 MIN

About the Film

A landmass stretching uninterrupted for nearly 4000 miles, from Senegal on the Atlantic Coast to Djibouti on the coast of the Red Sea, Africa’s Sahel region serves as a climatic transition zone between the Sahara Desert to the north and the more tropical environments to the south. The Sahel not only embodies a diverse population and geography as it passes through many of the continent’s nations, it also, sadly, exemplifies the devastating effects that climate change is having on our planet. As desertification creeps through the region and soil erosion undermines the efforts of agriculture, social problems like famine, mass migration, and armed conflict have taken root and threaten to destroy an already-fragile ecosystem.

THE GREAT GREEN WALL chronicles the efforts of an ambitious reforestation plan striving to restore the environmental health and revitalize the economies of the region. Written and directed by Jared P Scott and produced by Oscar-nominated director Fernando Meirelles (City of God), the film follows Malian musician/activist Inna Modja as she journeys from coast-to-coast, gathering stories of resilience and self-determination by, sharing songs with, and spreading hope among the people on the Sahel’s frontline in the battle against a changing landscape.

About the series

Athena Cinema, University Libraries, and OHIO’s Environmental Studies Program present the 11th annual Sustainability Film Series.

This year’s batch of films will be centered on reflecting the urgency of what is before us. After a decade of screening movies and hosting discussions led by experts from the OHIO student body and faculty and the Athens community detailing the problems facing the world, this semester’s focus will be on solutions.

The films will demonstrate that a collaborative approach to problem-solving — involving all members of our global community, regardless of age, ethnicity, or gender — is a necessity. Education is the first crucial step in both understanding the world’s problems and developing sustainable solutions.

Following the screening of each of these beautiful, thought-provoking, and timely films, audience members are invited to join us for a panel discussion hosted by OHIO faculty members, students, and members of the Athens community.

The series is sponsored by Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, OHIO Honors Program, Honors Tutorial College, Cutler Scholars, Office of Sustainability, Center for Campus & Community Engagement, University College and beloved nonprofits and businesses.

Free admission and post-show discussion as part of the Spring Sustainability Series.

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Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online

90 MIN

To celebrate the centennial anniversary of the establishment of America’s National Park Service, a young filmmaker and his best friend embark upon a journey that ultimately covers 10,000 miles as they explore the beauty, majesty, variety, and spirit of our nation’s most amazing natural landscapes. During their travels, they document not only the topographical uniqueness of the parks, but also insightful stories from park employees and visitors to reveal the rich history of the National Parks Service. Hop aboard for this road trip where  stunning vistas, spiritual satisfaction, and amazing folks will show you what makes our National Parks system a true national treasure.

About the Speaker

Dr. Geoff Buckley is Professor of Geography and Interim Associate Dean in the Honors Tutorial College for Ohio Honors and 1804 Scholars. Dr. Buckley’s focus lies in the study of the environmental legacy effects of past decisions, practices, and processes: In order to make wise decisions regarding the environmental problems we face today, we must understand the complex web of human and physical processes that, over time, have contributed to their existence. Geoff is particularly interested in environmental history and historical geography; environmental justice; mining landscapes; public lands, esp. national parks; urban environments; and urban sustainability.

Check out the rest of our line-up of Sustainability Films

The series is made possible thanks to the support of: University Libraries, Honors Tutorial College, Office of Sustainability, and The Voinovich School’s Environmental Studies Program.

Learn more about the Voinovich School’s Environmental Studies Program 50th Anniversary

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75 MIN

Across the globe, the Earth bears the past scars and current open wounds of mineral extraction operations. Of particular concern is the toxic metal Lead. Though it has been outlawed as an additive in everyday consumer goods like gasoline, house paint, and plumbing materials, lead is still highly valued as a component for the manufacture of building materials, weapons, and batteries. Wherever lead is extracted, refined, or turned into essential products that keep economies moving, the element leaves a poisonous legacy behind.

This issue is particularly troubling in Évin-Malmaison, a small village in France where contamination from lead refining has left the surrounding environment so damaged that farms, schools, parks, and homes now sit on ground that is too toxic to be safe for families. A team of journalists and scientists have taken up an effort to study and document the area – especially the effect of lead poisoning on the IQ levels of the local children – so as to reveal not just the environmental impacts of lead, but also its more damaging effects on the quality of life of Évin-Malmaison’s residents.

About the Speaker

Dr. Morrone is a professor and coordinator of the nationally accredited Environmental Health Science program at Ohio University and the Chair of the Department of Social and Public Health. She is the author of numerous books and papers about the health impacts from environmental exposures with a specific focus on health equity and environmental justice.

Check out the rest of our line-up of Sustainability Films

The series is made possible thanks to the support of: University Libraries, Honors Tutorial College, Office of Sustainability, and The Voinovich School’s Environmental Studies Program.

Learn more about the Voinovich School’s Environmental Studies Program’s 50th Anniversary

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online

53 MIN