The fourth annual Earth Focus Environmental Film FestivalThe festival will be held from April 24-29 to 2022. The festival will open with an exclusive, invitation-only Opening Night screening of the documentary film in person Zero GravityPasadenas Carnegie Observatories, followed by a panel discussion featuring Thomas Verrette (filmmaker) and other guests/TBA. Dr. John S. Mulchaey will moderate the discussion. He is also the Science Deputy at Carnegie Institution for Science Crawford H. Greenewalt Chair Director.
The Festival will then transition to virtual screenings over the next five days. Q&A discussions follow each screening to encourage better understanding and dialogue about environmental issues. The virtual 2022 film festival expands public media’s mission to strengthen communities through education. This year’s mission is to inspire positive change and engage viewers from all ages while raising funds for public medias future environmental programming.
General admission ticketsEarth Focus Environmental Film Festival Available starting today. You can purchase tickets starting at $45 All-access passYou can attend all the virtual film screenings, April 25-29, and post-screening discussions on the Eventive platform. You can also purchase individual screenings for $15 below.
In Person Event| In-person Event
“Zero Gravity”
Sunday, April 24, (Invite Only).
This inspiring documentary film by Thomas Verrette is directed, edited and produced by Thomas Verrette. A diverse group of middle-school students from California’s Silicon Valley participates in a national tournament for programming satellites to fly free of charge at the International Space Station. Starring NASA astronauts Candy Coleman and Jack Fischer, as well as Steve Smith. Check out the trailer.
Virtual Film Screenings
“Bring Your Own Brigade!”
Monday, April 25th at 7 PM (PDT).
This documentary captures the horrors and heroics of the 2018 wildfires in California. It focuses on the evacuation of thousands of residents from Paradise and Malibu, two very different communities. Lucy Walker, twice nominated for an Oscar, examines why California is becoming more dangerous and what can you do to reduce the devastating effects of wildfires.
A pre-recorded conversation was held with Lucy Walker and other subjects immediately following the screening. Pete Hammond, chief film critic at Deadline and host of KCETs MUST VIEW MOVIES and KCET Cinema Series, moderates the discussion. Check out the trailer.
“Inhabitants: An Indigenous Perspective”
Tuesday, April 26th at 7 PM (PDT).
Native Americans have managed their natural resources for millennia without discrimination or forced colonization. This documentary focuses on how Indigenous communities are rebuilding their relationships with the Earth. It also reveals how their time-tested methods are essential in today’s rapidly changing world. Costa Boutsikaris directing.
Immediately following the screening, a pre-recorded conversation with the subject of the film Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson of the Hopi Tribe Fund (NAAF), co-director/cinematographer Costa Boutsikaris and co-director Anna Palmer. Check out the trailer.
“Exposure”
Wednesday, April 27 at 7 P.M. (PDT)
Felicity Aston, British explorer and British woman, leads an expedition to North Pole led by eleven women from Europe, the Arab World, and Europe. They are determined to succeed against all odds. Holly Morris, an award-winning filmmaker and a all-women crew document this group during one of history’s most chaotic polar seasons. It may be the last ever, over-ice expedition at the top of the globe.
Following the screening, a prerecorded conversation was held with Holly Morris and other filmmakers. Moderated by Brad Foder, DC EFF’s Director of Programming. Check out the trailer.
“Understory: A Journey through the Tongass”
Wednesday, April 27 at 7 P.M. (PDT)
Three brave women set sail for a 350-mile expedition through the Tongass National Forest of southeast Alaska, which is the largest intact temperate forest on the planet. This journey tells the story this unique and non-renewable location, as well as the impacts that clear-cut logging could have on wildlife and the livelihoods of local communities, and our planet’s climate. Colin Arisman directed the film and Elsa Sebastian produced/narrated it. Check out the trailer.
“The Ants and the Grasshopper.”
Thursday, April 28, at 7 p.m. (PDT).
This documentary was ten years in the planning. It focuses on the story of one farmer and combines the most important themes of our time. Anita Chitaya can make it possible to grow food from the dead soil, help women fight for equality, and end child starvation in her village in East Africa. She now has to convince Americans that climate change is real, in order to save her home. Anita will be traveling from Malawi to California and the White House to share her knowledge and skills to help Americans recognize and break free from a mindset which is already causing the destruction of the Earth.
Following the screening, a recorded conversation will be held with Raj Patel and Zak Piper. Additional guests are still to be announced. Check out the trailer.
S4 E1 – We Are Where We Live (Preview).
“We Are Where We Live”
Friday, April 29, at 7 P.M. (PDT).
This episode explores the socio-environmental determinants to health in South Gate, California through the stories and experiences of AltaMed patients and doctors.
S4 E2 – For the Love of the Land (Preview).
“For the Love of the Land”
Friday, April 29, at 7 P.M. (PDT).
Talking about mental health has been taboo in rural communities. There is a mythology that rural communities have embraced, which promotes independence, individualism, and pioneering. This film explores the stigma surrounding mental health as climate change pushes farmers, herders, and homesteaders to the edge. It tells personal, poignant stories about struggle, resilience, hope, and how they have overcome it.
PBS SoCal and KCET’s Earth Month content and experiences are part a commitment to addressing global problems that impact the planet. The goal is to open people’s minds, lift spirits and connect people. Visit the website for a complete list of environmental-themed programs. pbssocal.org/earthmonth, kcet.org/earthmonth linktv.org/earthmonth.