The 5th Annual Spring Film Series Spring 2010

Hosted by Chris Palmer and Justine Schmidt

All events are held in the Wechsler Theater at 7 pm on Tuesdays 3rd Floor, Mary Graydon Center, American University 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016-8017 Directions: http://www.american.edu/maps/ (Metro: Tenleytown/AU, shuttle bus service to AU)

The March 22-25 events are part of the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital http://www.dcenvironmentalfilmfest.org/

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

No Reservation Required

Tuesday, February 9 at 7 pm

The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos (Disneynature, 2008)

Film screening followed by Q&A with director Matthew Aeberhard One lake, a million birds, an incredible story. See Disneynature's first commissioned film about the fascinating life cycle of flamingos in a remote area of Tanzania. Director Matt Aeberhard shot the film over a period of 13 months and will tell us the back story.

Tuesday, February 16 at 7 pm

End of the Line

Film Screening
"End of the Line," the first major feature documentary film revealing the impact of overfishing on our oceans, had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Filmed over two years and across the world - from the Straits of Gibraltar to the coasts of Senegal and Alaska to the Tokyo fish market - "End of the Line" is a wake-up call to the world.

Tuesday, February 23 at 7 pm

Thinking Big: USAID's Global Conservation Program

Andy Tobiason and Andrea Bloom
Biodiversity conservation activities protect species and habitats while helping the U.S. Agency for International Development achieve its development goals around the world. A new film produced by VideoTakes, Inc. in collaboration with USAID and six conservation partners highlights approaches and results from one of the Agency's most successful and influential programs. Q & A about the program and the production process will follow the film.

Tuesday, March 16 at 7 pm

Bottled Water: A Big Business with Big Problems

Chris O'Brien, Director of Sustainability, American University; and Paul Wapner, Associate Professor, American University
View the documentary Tapped and get a behind-the-scenes look at the bottled water industry and its vast array of negative consequences, from production of the plastic bottles to the enormous trash piles in the ocean where many end up. Chris O'Brien and Paul Wapner discuss issues raised in the film and AU's efforts to decrease bottled water use on campus.

Monday, March 22 at 7 pm
"Lunch" and "Potato Heads": Two Washington, D.C. Premieres (cosponsored by
Earth Day Network)

Kathleen Rogers, Avis Richards, and Larry Engel
"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. 

Tuesday, March 23 at 7 pm

Preceded by a reception with drinks and food at 6 pm
Shooting in the Wild: An Insider's Account of Making Movies in the Animal Kingdom

An Evening with Chris Palmer. Introduced by Caroline Gabel, Board Chair, Environmental Film Festival
Using clips from his award-winning films on bears, wolves, whales and dolphins, Chris Palmer offers a preview of his insights into the wildlife film business from his upcoming book, http://www.amazon.com/Shooting-Wild-Insiders-Account-Kingdom/dp/1578051487/  Shooting in the Wild, which will be published in May by Sierra Club Books. Chris will also announce the winners of the Eco-Comedy Video Competition and show select clips.

Wednesday, March 24 at 7 pm
Student Environmental Short Film Festival, plus Panel Discussion (co-sponsored by REI)

Hosted by Professors Chris Palmer and Sandy Cannon-Brown
Panel: Laura Waters Hinson, Lauren DeAngelis, and Joe Bohannon
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. This 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.

Thursday, March 25 at 7 pm
"Solar Energy for Life" and "Bon Appetit Monsieur Soleil": Two Washington, D.C. Premieres (cosponsored by Solar Household Energy, Inc. and Solar Cooking International)

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. Followed by a discussion with the citizen activists Louise Meyer and Pat McArdle.

Tuesday, March 30 at 7 pm

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.

Tuesday, April 6 at 7 pm

Classroom in the Wild in Florida

Chris Palmer, Danny Ledonne and students
Meet the students who camped in the wilds of Florida for a week over spring break and worked together to complete film projects while living along the Suwannee River. Students will lead a presentation that will include showing the two films they made, photos they took, and the lessons they learned during Classroom in the Wild.