By Mabel Pais

Featuring

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, activist Varshini Prakash and others in ‘TO THE END’

Vandana Shiva in ‘SEEDS OF VANDANA SHIVA’

Children’s Films and many more

The 12th Annual The ‘One Earth’ Film Festival of the greater Chicago area presents its 12th annual edition with the theme ‘Let’s Get Loud!’

The Festival, on February 7, 2023, called on the audience to advocate the 2023 theme and programs which make a call to action to join the climate movement. The ‘One Earth’ Film Festival returns March 3-12, 2023, for its 12th festival season with its annual launch party and 10 thoughtfully curated film events that will be streamed online, with about a dozen in-person screenings, including ‘View & Brew’ events, in the greater Chicago area.

The 2023 Festival launches with its annual opening night launch party at Park Tavern on March 3, offering both live and virtual participation. For this year’s theme, the Festival chose ‘Let’s Get Loud!’ to equip and empower individuals and communities far and wide to get loud in advocating for the planet. The films reveal what successful grassroots organizing looks like across different continents and cultures and the power of ordinary people getting loud, working together, and changing history.

“Since its inception, One Earth has stressed the importance of taking collective action,” One Earth Collective Director Ana Garcia Doyle said. “Film is a powerful way to spur us toward social change and collective action. Much environmental communication heavily depends on data, but that’s not going to change hearts. The stories told through film invoke our empathy and spur our will to act. We must pull together – and be loud about it. The moment to make noise is now.”

Films screened during the Festival encompass a range of environmental topics and themes that will take viewers around the planet. Through its streamed programs, One Earth now reaches audiences across the U.S., also attracting participant viewers in other countries. Its in-person programs reflect One Earth’s work with a slate of partners across the Chicago region to activate communities around solving the climate emergency. All One Earth presentations are designed to educate, inspire, and prompt action amid current environmental catastrophes. Screenings are accompanied by an expert panel discussion, offering ideas to equip audiences with ways to take action on the world’s most pressing environmental problems.

SCHEDULE OF FILMS

In-person events are being added, so check oneearthfilmfest.org for the latest program details. All films have a virtual viewing option.

2023 Opening Night Launch Party | March 3 | Park Tavern Chicago 6:30 p.m.

Children’s (age 3-6+) Short Film Program | March 4 | 10 a.m. | Oak Park Public Library

Children’s (age 7 to 12+) Short Film Program | March 4 | 10:30 a.m. | Oak Park Public Library

“The Seeds of Vandana Shiva” | March 4| 6:30 p.m. | First United Methodist at the Chicago Temple

“Devil Put the Coal in the Ground” | March 5| 6:30 p.m.

“Into the Ice” | March 6| 6:30 p.m.| Gorton Community Center, Lake Forest

“Wasteland: Iowa” | March 7| 6:30 p.m.| Good Sheppard Lutheran, Oak Park

“No Climate, No Equity, No Deal” | March 7 | 6:30 p.m. | Good Sheppard Lutheran, Oak Park

International Women’s Day Selection

“Powerlands” | March 8 |6:30 p.m. | Oak Park Public Library | Pilot Project Brewing, Chicago

“Going Circular” | March 9 | 6:30 p.m. | Waubonsee Community College, Aurora | Maine South High School, Park Ridge

“The Falconer” | March 10| 6:30 p.m. | North Park Village Nature Center, Chicago | Euclid Ave. United Methodist Church, Oak Park | Four Rivers Environmental Education Ctr., Channahon

“Mardi and The Whites” | March 10| 6:30 p.m. | North Park Village Nature Center, Chicago| Euclid Ave. United Methodist Church, Oak Park | Four Rivers Environmental Education Ctr., Channahon

“Utama” | March 11| 6:30 p.m. “To The End” | March 12| 11:00 a.m. | Tavern at Haymarket Pub & Brewery, Chicago|The Well Spirituality Center, LaGrange Park

TICKETS

Tickets are available and mostly free, with a suggested donation. For Tickets, Film, and Program information, visit oneearthfilmfest.org.

One Earth Film Festival

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. For more, visit oneearthfilmfest.org

(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The Arts and Entertainment, Health & Wellness, Cuisine and Spirituality)