Earth Connection Film Festival
Embracing the earth as our home, these films compassionately and painstakingly capture the depth and nuance of human interdependence with our planet, from the lessons we learn to the dirt under our feet. Q&A to follow.
How do we view our interdependent relationship to Earth? This program zooms in on our reliance on Earth and its resources for our lives and well-being. [76 min. total runtime]
There will be a Q&A following the screening.
The River (dir. Temujen Gunawardena, 2023, United Kingdom): A short film about a small and precious chalk river in the south east of England. Part poem, part history re-imagined, it tells its story going back 100 million years and sheds light on its fragile existence today. [4 min; English]
Groundwork - Cotton (dir. Lindsey Hagen, 2023, USA): Follow as the Kahle family breaks the cycle of generational health issues by revolutionizing their farming practices. Driven by a deep commitment to their family and community’s well-being, the Kahles bring revelatory science practices to combat years of problematic, status-quo methods of farming. [16 min; English]
A Little Story About Forever (dir. Max Romey, 2025, USA): This short film unfolds from the POVs of father (Max Romey) and son (Kip) as they attempt to write a book about what forever means. The father feels overwhelmed by all of the threats to forever, like forever chemicals, and calls an unlikely hero—Mark Ruffalo—to ask for help seeing the big picture. [10 min; English]
The Keeper of the Lake (dir. Simone Bressello, 2025, Italy): Antonio has dedicated his life to Lake Fimon, a place that has embraced him since childhood and that he now protects with love and devotion. This documentary tells the story of his deep bond with the water, which for him is a refuge, a confidant, and a witness to the passing of time. [15 min; Italian with English subtitles]
Make a Wildlife Documentary in Front of Your Home (dir. Sofian Chouaib, 2024, France): “In front of my house is a vacant lot. It’s one of the few places in my neighbourhood where there is almost no human presence. So I asked myself: What if I made a wildlife documentary in front of my home?” — director Sofian Chouaib [4 min; French with English subtitles]
The Old Bear (dir. Julie Busse & Candice Odgers, 2024, USA): When old bears go to the mountain for the last time, they aren't just digging their den—they're digging their graves. Through the interweaving of family stories with the final days of bears in the Alaskan wilderness, The Old Bear reflects on what nature can teach us about parenthood, aging, and death. [28 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.
