Eckerd’s annual Environmental Film Festival returns with short, poignant slate of movies

Every year, Eckerd’s Environmental Film Festival, titled “Visions/Voices,” showcases pertinent cinematic works entrenched in ecology and the natural world. Even during the pandemic, the festival persevered, as it plans to forgo indoor screenings in Miller Auditorium this year in exchange for the open air of GO Pavilion. Eckerd’s film studies program, which hosts the festival, encourages students to show up to these free screenings, whether for a movie night with a big screen or an easy CPS credit, which started on Feb. 18.

Now in its 23rd year, the festival has released its 2022 lineup, with films ranging from eco-horror tales to powerful documentaries. Despite the small selection of films, there is still plenty for students to enjoy this year, and one film will even be available online for those not on campus, via a link soon to be released. 

Tuesday, Feb. 22 -- “The Long Coast” (2021), directed by Ian Cheney: Here’s one for the fishing crowd. A poetic documentary on coastal Maine’s inhabitants and their connection to the ocean, viewers should prepare for an insightful look into everyday folk and their critical issues they face as their way of life is degraded before their very eyes. Interviews and insights into these people’s lives are sure to create a dire but inspiring atmosphere of yearning for change and progress. 

Wednesday, Feb. 23 -- “The Velvet Queen” (2021), directed by Marie Amiguet and Vincent Munier: Cat lovers are sure to flock to this journey of a photographer assisting a writer to document the sneakily elusive snow leopard. Artful and stunningly gorgeous, this film is sure to elicit strong “awws” from the crowd and present whimsical wildlife and landscape footage to dazzle one’s eyes. 

Thursday, Feb. 24 -- “Inhabitants: An Indigenous Perspective” (2021), directed by Costa Boutsikaris and Anna Palmer: Also available online via a forthcoming link, this film chronicles five Native American tribes across the country as they use traditional land management practices to combat climate change. Anybody, on or off campus, can partake in this viewing of a stirring and timely documentary that shows that the past can safeguard the future. 

Friday, Feb. 25 -- “2040” (2021), directed by Damon Gameau: Closing out the Festival is this personal documentary from the Australian filmmaker, whose daughter will turn 21 in the film’s titular year. A call to action, change and progress, Gameau strives to imagine a positive future for not only his daughter, but the rest of the world -- a future the current generation must fight for if they want to experience it. 

All films screen at the GO Pavilion at 7:00 p.m. on their respective dates.