Earth Connection Film Festival
A variety of untold and unexpected stories of heroes from all walks of life doing ecological work, from teaching children to swim in their neighboring ocean to counting birds and watching the sky. Q&A to follow.
How do we instill a sense of responsibility to our environment? This program dives into guiding philosophies of stewardship, moral obligation, and ecological knowledge. [78 min. total runtime]
There will be a Q&A following the screening.
Decoding Ancestral Knowledge (dir. Ruth Lichtman & Sharon Shattuck, 2023, USA): Enter the captivating world of scientific exploration through the lens of Kiana Frank who is a proud Native Hawaiian and microbiologist. Her unique journey intertwines traditional wisdom with the latest molecular techniques, casting light on the intricate interactions between microorganisms and the environment they inhabit. By embracing her Native Hawaiian heritage and its oral traditions, Kiana broadens our concepts of who is a scientist and how science unfolds. [10 min; English]
Peixinho/Little Fish (dir. Kaushiik Subramaniam, 2024, United Kingdom): In a coastal village where the sea gives and takes, Peixinho follows the story of one young man defying the tide of generational fear. Once unable to swim, he now teaches local children to float, dive, and reclaim their relationship with the ocean—not as something to be feared, but to be understood and protected. As he inspires the next generation with water safety and ocean literacy, he also works with elders to encourage more sustainable practices. [7 min; Portuguese with English subtitles]
The Last Observers (dir. Maja K. Mikkelsen, 2024, Sweden): For decades, Karin and Lennart have worked side by side doing weather observations and managing Falsterbo Bird Observatory, a ringing station for migrating birds. Their inspiring life story invites us to reflect on what matters most in life, and what beauty there is to be found in everyday life. [24 min; Swedish with English subtitles]
Guardian of the Well (dir. Bentley Brown & Tahir Ben Mahamat Zene, 2025, Chad): In mid-2024, Chad experienced its worst drought in decades. Most of the livestock died, people moved away, and the city vanished. In the desolate Batha Prefecture, a chance encounter at a water well opens a window into the reality of a Central African country deeply affected by climate change. [5 min; Arabic with English subtitles]
Planetwalker (dir. Dominic Gill & Nadia Gill, 2024, USA): In 1971, John Francis witnessed an oil tanker collision in the San Francisco Bay. The sight of oiled birds on the shoreline caused him to give up motorized transport and speaking for 17 years, convinced that listening was the way forward. Planetwalker recounts much of his internal journey, exploring the web-like and deeply personal consequences of his decades of pilgrimage. [31 min; English]
Any film screened at IU Cinema may contain content that viewers find sensitive or upsetting. Visit our Audience Advisories page to learn more.
