Environmental Film Festival In The Nation's Capital

Events Hosted at American University

Date: Monday, March 22, 2010 (All day) - Tuesday, March 30, 2010 (All day)

D.C.’s 2010 Environmental Film Festival is under way! Along with the Center for Environmental Filmmaking, we’re sponsoring a whole week of films at American University’s Wechsler Theater. You can view the schedule here. We’re particularly excited to see the premiere of AU Professor Larry Engel’s new film, Potato Heads.

Monday, March 22

D.C. Premiere of Lunch and Potato Heads

Lunch directed by Avis Richards, is a short documentary produced by Earth Day Network which takes a close look at the nation's school food. Potato Heads directed by Larry Engel, explores the origins and future of the ubiquitous potato and takes a hard look at the importance of biodiversity and food security. Followed by a discussion with the filmmakers, Kathleen Rogers, Avis Richards, and Larry Engel.

This event is cosponsored by Earth Day Network.

Tuesday, March 23

SOC Week Event: EFF Presents Chris Palmer with an Insider's Account of Making Movies in the Wild

An evening with Chris Palmer, author of the new book Shooting in the Wild: An Insider's Account of Making Movies in the Animal Kingdom. Introduced by Caroline Gabel, Board Chair, Environmental Film Festival.

Using clips from his award-winning films on bears, wolves, whales and dolphins, Chris Palmer, director of SOC's Center for Environmental Filmmaking, offers a preview of his insights into the wildlife film business from his upcoming book, Shooting in the Wild, which will be published in May by Sierra Club Books.

At this event, Palmer will also announce the winners of the Eco-Comedy Video Competition and show select clips.

Wednesday, March 24

SOC Week Event: EFF Presents: Student Environmental Short Film Festival

Hosted by Professors Chris Palmer and Sandy Cannon-Brown, this Environmental Film Festival event honors student filmmakers whose passion and talent truly stands out.

A selection of short student films from seven different educational institutions will be shown, including the winners of National Geographic's Preserve Our Planet student film competition.

The screenings will be followed by a panel discussion with three Student Academy Award winners: Laura Waters Hinson (2008 gold winner for As We Forgive) and Lauren DeAngelis and Joe Bohannon (2009 bronze winners for A Place to Land). The panelists produced their films as graduate students at American University.

This event is co-sponsored by REI

Thursday, March 25

EFF Presents the D.C. Premiere for Solar Energy for Life and Bon Appetit Monsieur Soleil

Louise Meyer, Founder and Board Member of Solar Household Energy, and Pat McArdle, Board Member of Solar Household Energy and Solar Cookers International

Solar Energy for Life is a short film showing how solar oven construction and use is changing local cooking practices and reducing the use of charcoal and firewood in Madagascar. Bon Appetit Monsieur Soleil shows how solar cookers introduced by a network of NGOs in Burkina Faso protect the forest cover that remains in this small West African country.

After the films, join in a discussion with the citizen activists Louise Meyer and Pat McArdle.

This event is cosponsored by Solar Household Energy, Inc. and Solar Cooking International

Tuesday, March 30

EcoViews: Life on the Bay World Premiere

AU Filmmakers and Professor Sandy Cannon-Brown

This HD production for Maryland Public Television was produced, shot and edited by SOC students. It will air on MPT and other PBS stations during Chesapeake Bay Week in April. The students will present their film, describe how it was made, and answer questions.