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Fall Sustainability Series: TAKING ROOT: THE VISION OF WANGARI MAATHAI

Watch Trailer Director: Alan Dater, Lisa Merton
Cast: Wangari Maathai

About the film

Taking Root tells the dramatic story of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai whose simple act of planting trees grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, protect human rights, and defend democracy—a movement for which this charismatic woman became an icon and an international inspiration. This film, by co-directors Alan Dater and Lisa Merton, weaves a compelling and dramatic narrative of one woman’s personal journey in the context of the turbulent political and environmental history of her country.

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.

This screening will take place at The Ridges Auditorium located at 135 Ridges Circle.

The series is possible thanks to the support of: 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, Athens International Film and Video Festival, and beloved nonprofits and businesses.

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

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Running Time: 81 MINS81 MIN
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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Fall Sustainability Series: THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING

Watch Trailer Director: Avi Lewis

About the film

What if confronting the climate crisis is the best chance we’ll ever get to build a better world?

Filmed over 211 shoot days in nine countries and five continents over four years, THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING is an epic attempt to re-imagine the vast challenge of climate change.

Directed by Avi Lewis, and inspired by Naomi Klein’s international non-fiction bestseller of the same name, THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING presents seven powerful portraits of communities on the front lines, from Montana’s Powder River Basin to the Alberta Tar Sands, from the coast of South India to Beijing and beyond.

Interwoven with these stories of struggle is Klein’s narration, connecting the carbon in the air with the economic system that put it there. Throughout the film, Klein builds to her most controversial and exciting idea: that we can seize the existential crisis of climate change to transform our failed economic system into something radically better.

Also included will be a screening of STAND UP, a short animated film by Ohio-native Jenny Morgan from SaveOhioParks.org. The film is meant to be a response to Ohio’s proposal to begin fracking in our state parks.

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.

This screening will take place at The Ridges Auditorium located at 135 Ridges Circle.

The series is possible thanks to the support of: 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, Athens International Film and Video Festival, and beloved nonprofits and businesses.

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

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
Running Time: 89 MIN89 MIN
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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Fall Sustainability Series: MICROPLASTIC MADNESS

Watch Trailer Director: Atsuko Quirk, Debby Lee Cohen

About the film

This film is brought to the Fall Sustainability series by Athens ReThink Plastics, a local group concerned about the adverse health and environmental impacts of the production, consumption and discarding of plastic products.

Microplastic Madness, co-directed by Atsuko Quirk and Debby Lee Cohen, is the story of 56 fifth-graders from P.S. 15 in Red Hook, Brooklyn – living on the frontline of the climate crisis – whose activism on plastic pollution morphs into extraordinary feats of leadership, resulting in small victories that are scalable to fit much larger problems.

With stop-motion animation, heartfelt kid commentary, and interviews with experts and renowned scientists engaged in the most cutting edge research on the harmful effects of microplastics, this alarming-yet-charming narrative conveys its urgent message in user-friendly terms.

These eleven-year-olds dive deep into the root causes of plastic pollution. Taking on the roles of citizen scientists and community advocates, they lead community outreach, collect local data, and use that data to inform policy by testifying and rallying at City Hall. They then turn their focus back to school, taking action to eliminate all single-use plastic in their own cafeteria.

Created to inspire kids, teachers, and policy makers alike, Microplastic Madness is the cinematic spark needed to enflame the youth-led Plastic Free Future movement in schools across the world!

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.

This screening will take place at The Ridges Auditorium located at 135 Ridges Circle.

The series is possible thanks to the support of: 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, Athens International Film and Video Festival, and beloved nonprofits and businesses.

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

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
Running Time: 76 MINS76 MIN
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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Fall Sustainability Series: TO THE END

Watch Trailer Director: Rachel Lears
Cast: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes, Varshini Prakash, Alexandra Rojas, Rhiana Gunn-Wright

About the film

Filmed over four years of hope and crisis, To The End captures the emergence of a new generation of leaders and the movement behind the most sweeping climate change legislation in U.S. history – The Green New Deal. Produced and directed by Rachel Lears (the award-winning filmmaker behind Knock Down the House), this film follows four exceptional young women— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, activist Varshini Prakash, climate policy writer Rhiana Gunn-Wright, and political strategist Alexandra Rojas— as they grapple with new challenges of leadership and the mechanics of power in our nation’s capital, working together to defend their generation’s right to a future.

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.

This screening will take place at The Ridges Auditorium located at 135 Ridges Circle.

The series is possible thanks to the support of: 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, Athens International Film and Video Festival, and beloved nonprofits and businesses.

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

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
Running Time: 94 MINS94 MIN
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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Fall Sustainability Series: REVOLUTION GENERATION

Watch Trailer Director: Josh Tickell, Rebecca Harrell Tickell

Sustainability Series Theme: Get Involved

About the film

The number of Millennials in the United States — those born between approximately 1978 and 2000 — is near 80 million people. They’re the most diverse generation in America, with 56 percent of them registered as politically Independent … and every single one of them will be needed if the planet is to avoid climate catastrophe. In THE REVOLUTION GENERATION, filmmakers Josh Tickell and Rebecca Tickell (whose previous films Fuel, Pump, and Kiss the Ground have examined oil, capitalism, and a regenerative way forward for the earth) spotlight a generation that has been mischaracterized, mislabeled, and mistakenly mocked.

About the series

Athena Cinema, University Libraries and Environmental Studies Program present the 10th annual Sustainability Film Series.

In keeping with all previous series, each film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring faculty members, students and community members. The panel discussion for REVOLUTION GENERATION will be presented by OU’s Center for Campus & Community Engagement.

Following each film we invite audience members to join us for a panel discussion hosted by faculty members, students and community members. Please join us for a conversation following these beautiful, thought-provoking and timely films.

The series is possible thanks to the support of: 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, Athens
International Film and Video Festival, and beloved nonprofits and businesses.

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

**For events with free admission, tickets must be picked up in-person during open hours**

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
Running Time: 90 MIN90 MIN
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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Fall Sustainability Series: DISAPPEARING VOICES & HELLBENT

Watch Trailer

Sustainability Series Theme: Ecological Systems: From Ecuador to Appalachia

About the film

DISAPPEARING VOICES (20 minutes)

Little was known about the indigenous peoples living in Yasuní National Park until the middle of the 20th century. When oil exploration and extraction began, it also initiated a fundamental change in the cultures that have traditionally coexisted with the natural resources of the region. Produced and edited by Megan Westervelt and Jorge Castillo.

HELLBENT (20 minutes)

In a quiet rural township, America’s largest amphibian is locally threatened with extinction by the installation of an injection well, prompting biologists and community members to band together and protect their land in a novel way and save the hellbender.

About the series

Athena Cinema, University Libraries and Environmental Studies Program present the 10th annual Sustainability Film Series.

In keeping with all previous series, each film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring faculty members, students and community members. The panel discussion for these films will be presented by Producers Justin Grubb, Megan Westerveld, Jorge Castillo and Viorel Popescu.

Following each film we invite audience members to join us for a panel discussion hosted by faculty members, students and community members. Please join us for a conversation following these beautiful, thought-provoking and timely films.

The series is possible thanks to the support of: 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, Athens
International Film and Video Festival, and beloved nonprofits and businesses.

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

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
Running Time: 40 MIN40 MIN
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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Spring Sustainability Series: GASLAND

About the film

GASLAND is a 2010 American documentary film written and directed by Josh Fox. It focuses on communities in the United States where natural gas drilling activity was a concern and, specifically, on hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”), the film was a key mobilizer for the anti-fracking movement and “brought the term “fracking” into the nation’s living rooms. Fracking is now a way of life in Ohio, the United States and globally. We are shaken by the recent HB 507, signed into law by Governor DeWine that will mandate oil and gas extraction on our state public lands. Come learn and discuss this travesty.

About the series

Athena Cinema, University Libraries and Environmental Studies Program present the 10th annual Sustainability Film Series.

In keeping with all previous series, each film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring faculty members, students and community members.

Following each film we invite audience members to join us for a panel discussion hosted by faculty members, students and community members. Please join us for a conversation following these beautiful, thought-provoking and timely films.

The series is possible thanks to the support of: 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, Athens
International Film and Video Festival, and beloved nonprofits and businesses.

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

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

Read full story Comments { 0 }

Spring Sustainability Series: TO THE END

Watch Trailer

About the film

Filmed over four years of hope and crisis, TO THE END captures the emergence of a new generation of leaders and the movement behind the most sweeping climate change legislation in U.S. history. The award-winning team behind Knock Down the House follows four exceptional young women— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, activist Varshini Prakash, climate policy writer Rhiana Gunn-Wright, and political strategist Alexandra Rojas— as they grapple with new challenges of leadership and power and work together to defend their generation’s right to a future.

About the series

Athena Cinema, University Libraries and Environmental Studies Program present the 10th annual Sustainability Film Series.

In keeping with all previous series, each film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring faculty members, students and community members.

Following each film we invite audience members to join us for a panel discussion hosted by faculty members, students and community members. Please join us for a conversation following these beautiful, thought-provoking and timely films.

The series is possible thanks to the support of: 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, Athens
International Film and Video Festival, and beloved nonprofits and businesses.

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

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

Read full story Comments { 0 }

Spring Sustainability Series: FOOD FOR THE REST OF US

Watch Trailer

About the film

FOOD FOR THE REST OF US examines how getting back to the land is tied to other movements such as Black Lives Matter, Idle No More and Times Up. Food for the Rest of Us is a feature film that presents 4 stories of people living life on their own terms, serving as leaders and role models who are lending their voice to the underdog and leading a revolution to a better world, from the ground up!

About the series

Athena Cinema, University Libraries and Environmental Studies Program present the 10th annual Sustainability Film Series.

In keeping with all previous series, each film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring faculty members, students and community members.

Following each film we invite audience members to join us for a panel discussion hosted by faculty members, students and community members. Please join us for a conversation following these beautiful, thought-provoking and timely films.

The series is possible thanks to the support of: 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, Athens
International Film and Video Festival, and beloved nonprofits and businesses.

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

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

Read full story Comments { 0 }

Spring Sustainability Series: HELENA SARAYAKU MANTA

Watch Trailer

About the film

Traveling between her life in Finland and her mother’s homeland deep in the rainforests of Ecuador, 17-year-old Helena Gualinga yearns to protect her indigenous community from extractive development and the repercussions of climate change. Her story highlights the efforts of the Kichwa people of Sarayaku to recognize the Amazon rainforest as a “Kawsak Sacha – Living Jungle”. The “Living Jungle” is both a cultural philosophy and a proposal to governments that states the rainforest is not a resource to be used, rather it is a living and conscious entity in need of legal protection. With the help of her Sarayaku elders’ wisdom, Helena sets out on a journey to educate the world about the importance of conserving the Amazon Rainforest, traveling to New York City to participate in climate marches and giving speeches about indigenous sovereignty. A story of perseverance and resilience, Helena Sarayaku Manta, is an ode to indigenous communities striving to preserve their culture as they face consequences of a globalized world and the hastening effects of climate change.

About the Panel

Co-presented by the Department of Latin American Studies. Panelists include:

Chair, Dr. Joanna Mitchell

Mitchell Tijerina, Graduate student, Geology

Prof. Diego Alvarado Serrano, Biological Sciences

Megan Westervelt, video producer, School of Communication Studies

About the series

Athena Cinema, University Libraries and Environmental Studies Program present the 10th annual Sustainability Film Series.

In keeping with all previous series, each film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring faculty members, students and community members.

Following each film we invite audience members to join us for a panel discussion hosted by faculty members, students and community members. Please join us for a conversation following these beautiful, thought-provoking and timely films.

The series is possible thanks to the support of: 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, Athens
International Film and Video Festival, and beloved nonprofits and businesses.

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

Share this Film

Click on Showtimes to Get Tickets Online
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

Read full story Comments { 0 }