Filmmaker in Attendance, Family Friendly, Making Waves Recipient, Michigan Premiere, Staff Pick
With the goal of banding 100,000 birds, this film follows Tom and Paula Bartlett on their quest throughout northwest Ohio, and the impact they have not only on bird research, but those they meet along the way.
Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere, First Time Filmmaker, Filmmaker in Attendance
A mother-daughter group learns valuable life and wilderness skills in one of the most pristine wilderness areas in the world, powered only by their own two feet and a team of four legged friends. With multiple trips to the North Pole, South Pole, Greenland, and Svalbard on her resume, she is embarking on one of her greatest adventures yet: motherhood.
Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere
Join 5-year-old Aldo and his dad on a backyard safari filled with tiny wonders and big laughs. Armed with a camera and boundless curiosity, Aldo embarks on a bug-hunting escapade, narrating his discoveries with adorable wit and charm. As the week unfolds, Aldo’s wide-eyed explorations not only capture the audience’s imagination, but also subtly echo the timeless wisdom of Aldo Leopold, making for a delightful and endearing ode to the joy of nature’s smallest marvels.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance, Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere, Staff Pick
Cutting-edge underwater drones explore how quadrillions of tiny invasive quagga mussels are re-engineering the ecosystem of the Great Lakes at a scale not seen since the glaciers. Part scientific exploration, part natural history adventure – the film shines a spotlight on freshwater wildlife and environments like never before.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere, Staff Pick
In ‘Belonging,’ follow Dalorian, a student in the college course GCST 1970, as he embarks on a journey through nature-based education and environmental justice. Exploring serene Minnesota lakes and the Bois Forte Museum, he and his classmates confront a profound question: What does it mean to belong in nature? This film weaves raw, poetic visuals with deep reflections on identity and community, highlighting their transformative experience in understanding their connection to the natural world.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Michigan Premiere, Has Subtitles
Migration season is when the Chicago Collision Bird Monitors are the busiest, looking for birds that have flown into windows, as Mother Nature literally slams into the urban environment. Broken Flight introduces us to the volunteers, scientists and veterinarians who rescue, study and catalog these amazing avian species.
Subject in Attendance, Michigan Premiere, Staff Pick
Set against the backdrop of Desolation Canyon, UT, Mikah Meyer, a world-record traveler and LGBTQ+ advocate, reflects with three close friends and his mentor, Larry Edwards, on their stories and the power of mentorship within the queer community. As a child, Mikah believed he could never have a successful life AND be publicly out and gay. When he moved to college and met Larry, his openly gay choir professor, a lifelong mentorship was born. Amidst conversations and joy along the river, we understand the power and importance of their friendship. As Larry enters what he calls the ‘final chapter’ of his life, he reflects on the lifelong fight for openness and vulnerability within the queer community, and through the desolation of nature, finds contentment in a job well done.
Has Subtitles, Michigan Premiere, Staff Pick
This is a story about the power of feeling wind in your hair, no matter where you are on life’s journey. John is a retired school teacher who uses his pedal-powered rickshaw to give adventures to people who have lost the ability to get outside themselves. Through the intimate moments of these rides, _Cycling Without Age _explores the importance of the outdoors for those who are all too often trapped inside.
Family Friendly, First Time Filmmaker, Staff Pick
“Elladj" follows the remarkable journey of Elladj Balde, a Canadian figure skater whom found his voice and fan base through wild ice skating. The film centers on the transformative power of embracing one’s passion over measurable results.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Michigan Premiere, Adult Language, Staff Pick
The city lifestyle left New York City artist Lala feeling hollow, forcing her to make the bold decision of uprooting herself and seeking solace in the untamed landscapes somewhere far west. Stripped of the familiar comforts of running water, electricity, and constant connectivity, she faces the daunting challenge of building a bountiful life from scratch.
Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere
From the Heartland is a candid depiction of American Agriculture and the rural towns reliant on its success. But when an industry’s ability to thrive is dependent on progress, how does a family farm discard their traditional practices to try something new and save the land?
Filmmaker in Attendance, Has Subtitles, Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere, First Time Filmmaker
For the Frigon, hunting is a family tradition that forges and strengthens the bonds between the generations. For several autumns already, Louis-Henri has been tracking moose with his grandson, Sasha. However, at the dawn of his 81st birthday, old age reminds him that his career as a hunter is now behind him. For the first time this year, Louis-Henri will not go for the hunt and Sasha will leave without him. Goodbye, Hunter offers an intimate look at the transmission of a long family tradition.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Michigan Premiere, First Time Filmmaker
Department of Natural Resources officer, Jay Wesley, and two avid outdoorsmen dive into the importance of salmon preservation in one of the top fisheries in the country because of the effect salmon has on the freshwater ecosystem of Michigan.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance, Staff Pick
‘In Waves’ gives us a glimpse into the joy that has cultivated a culture of Great Lakes connection. In 2004, visionary Beryl Skrocki founded Sleeping Bear Surf with a dream of sharing the potential for freshwater play. Now, 20 years later, her legacy lives on.
First Time Filmmaker, Michigan Premiere
The mayor of an island off the coast of Virginia hopes to have his town saved from rising tides.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance, Michigan Premiere, World Premiere, Staff Pick
“It’s Time” is a poetic 3-minute film set in early spring Illinois. Through stunning visuals and lyrical narration, it gives voice to nature. The tree’s awakening becomes a metaphor for environmental awareness. This cinematic ode aspires to plant seeds of change, encouraging viewers to listen to nature’s whispered warnings and become stewards of our shared environment.
Michigan Premiere, Subject in Attendance, Staff Pick
Ojibwe artist Jonathan Thunder explores the mythic inspirations of his surrealist work.
Family Friendly, Representative in Attendance, Michigan Premiere
The Kenai River Sportfishing Association (KRSA) was founded 30 years ago by Bob Penney with a strong and clear mission: sustain the local King salmon population in order to preserve the Kenai’s status as the greatest sportfishing river in the world. Over the years the organization has grown, developing numerous conservation and sustainability projects to support the health of this one-of-a-kind waterway – several of which are explored in the film.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Michigan Premiere, World Premiere
The Leelanau Conservancy’s long-running, highly trusted water quality program. This video profiles Chase Heise of the Leelanau Conservancy as we venture out onto Lake Leelanau to learn more about their water quality program that has been operating continuously for over 30 years, and the overall health of our freshwater lakes in northern Michigan.
Family Friendly
In South Memphis, married artists Bertram Williams and Talibah Safiya transform their creative practices into vehicles for a higher purpose. Enter Mama’s Sundry, a collaborative movement fostering wellness and sustainability through education, service initiatives and a neighborhood garden that produces fresh fruit and vegetables within a community that’s long been designated a food desert.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Family Friendly, Subject in Attendance
Interviews with tribal knowledge holders about Manoomin (wild rice) during a 6 day workshop/ gathering in Baraga, Michigan
Filmmaker in Attendance, World Premiere
What’s a tree worth? From the point of view of a city forester, an ecologist, a firewood harvesting hobbyist, a professor and a philanthropist, we learn about the different relationships people have with their urban forest. Money Tree explores the tangible and intangible values and the importance of this urban biodiversity that often goes unnoticed.
Family Friendly
In the rivers that flow through our neighborhoods lives an unseen but important creature: the freshwater mussel. These mussels perform key ecosystem services, including a remarkable capacity to filter and clean water. Once almost extinct and now struggling to make a comeback in DuPage County’s urban waterways, freshwater mussels need help.
Subject in Attendance, Has Subtitles, Michigan Premiere
Artist carves poetry into a 150-year fallen oak tree
Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere, Staff Pick
In 1971 John Francis, known the world over as ‘Planetwalker,’ 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 rely solely on his own two feet. Months after that he took a vow of silence convinced that listening rather than adding fuel to any fire was the way ahead.
He didn’t talk, but he kept on walking clear across the country and back again. During the next seventeen silent years he listened and studied the world around him.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Michigan Premiere
There’s always been only a few special places in the world where wild rice (known as manoomin to the Ojibwe people), grows. Which made it troubling when manoomin stopped growing in the early 2000’s at Spur Lake, a 113 acre lake in Oneida County, Wisconsin. A group of conservation partners who have come together to bring wild rice back to Spur Lake because of its environmental and cultural importance.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Michigan Premiere, First Time Filmmaker
Embark on an eye-opening journey through the unseen impacts of plastic pollution in the Great Lakes region. Guided by Dr. Sherri Mason and other regional voices, witness the vast extent of contamination pathways, effects of microplastics, and the unexpected toll on human health. Beyond individual action, the film inspires a collective movement for transformative progress toward a plastic-free future.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance, Family Friendly, Staff Pick, First Time Filmmaker
Original Bluegrass music plus mountain biking with a twist. All self filmed clips plus editing lead to an illusion of the biker being filmed by himself.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Family Friendly
The NMU Volleyball team is known for big action when they serve, bump, set, and spike on the court. Off the court, they serve as an example for how we can make changes to take better care of our environment.
Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere
An artistic celebration of the environmental activism of Darline Deegan and her efforts to protect the land of her Indigenous community.
Michigan Premiere, Staff Pick
Between the Ohio and Mississippi riverbanks sit the United States’ 15th International Wetland of Importance. Yet, the wetlands today are mere remnants of their original borders. Max Hutchison is a naturalist, ecologist, zoologist, and lifelong voice for preserving the wetlands he also calls home. The Careist is an ode to Max, a way of life, and a natural area long overlooked and daring to disappear forever.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance, Staff Pick
THE FISH THIEF: A Great Lakes Mystery, formerly known as RELENTLESS, is a captivating mystery that engages the audience in a battle for the survival of the largest freshwater ecosystem on Earth, the Great Lakes. This fascinating true story, narrated by Oscar-winning actor J.K. Simmons, follows remarkable people tackling the mystery of why the most prized fish nearly vanished. The crash destroyed jobs and businesses, and devastated towns, tribal communities, and First Nations across the region.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Family Friendly
Nick is at Presque Isle Park on a rainy night in Marquette Michigan to witness the migration of the Blue Spotted Salamander. Tyler Penrod from the Superior Watershed Partnership shares his knowledge about these blue spotted friends.
Family Friendly
Meet The Moosers. Filmed at the 55th Annual North American Moose Conference, held in Grand Portage, Minnesota in May 2023.
Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere, Staff Pick
Since 1996, a quiet man in the backwoods of Eastern Kentucky has taken it upon himself to clean tires out of the Wild and Scenic Red River. Now 28 years later, friends, environmental groups, and community members are rallying to support annual cleanups in an effort to keep the river beautiful and to try and stop the trash and tires from making it there in the first place.
Adult Language, Michigan Premiere, Staff Pick
The Shit-thropocene (a play on the word, Anthropocene) is a mock-anthropological investigation into consumerism. Join us on a journey that spans billions of years to piece together how and why it seems that everything has gone to shit.
Michigan Premiere, First Time Filmmaker
Can 100 miles change you? Superior 100 is one of the most challenging trail races in the Midwest. See the stories behind 6 unique people who choose to push themselves beyond their limits to test their resilience and grit.
Michigan Premiere, Family Friendly, Has Subtitles
Currently, post pandemic, one in two young people show symptoms of anxiety and depression. The World is ours is a film that gives the opportunity to six Montreal teenage girls to leave their urban environment for the first time to take part in a nature canoe-camping expedition.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere, First Time Filmmaker
To Be A Good Home follows three women who farm and steward land in northern Minnesota. Kaitlyn is a descendant of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, tending her plot at the place of the gardens, Gitigaaning. Starr is an urban farmer, feeding her community near the shores of Gichigami. Hannah is a regenerative farmer, building soil and caring for her herd along Medicine Creek.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Family Friendly, Representative in Attendance, Staff Pick
On a mission to clean up Ohio’s leaking, abandoned coal mines, Ohio University Art Professor John Sabraw teams up with an environmental engineer to develop a process that turns the toxic runoff pollution into paint. John’s artwork has been shown all over the world and proceeds have helped numerous environmental organizations and projects, including a new water treatment plant on the Sunday Creek Watershed in southeastern Ohio.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance, Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere
Spearfishing workshops for all ages facilitated by the Keweenaw Bay Indian community Natural Resource Department.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Family Friendly, First Time Filmmaker, Representative in Attendance, Staff Pick
Troubled Water is an exhilarating adventure, conservation film that beckons viewers to follow along on a transformative journey down the stunning coast of Lake Michigan. As the journey unfolds, the film unveils the significance of the Line 5 pipeline issue, the dire need for collective action and the historic precedent that this movement would establish. If successfully shutdown, it would become the first active pipeline in US history to be terminated before it ruptures.
Has Subtitles, Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere
Six monumental statues are immersed between the Lérins Islands under the gaze of their creator, the sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor. Molded from the faces of six inhabitants of Cannes, these stone giants were made from an ecological marine material. If today, these statues constitute the first underwater eco-museum inFrance and the Mediterranean created by the artist, tomorrow they will serve as a habitat and refuge for local marine biodiversity.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Michigan Premiere, Family Friendly
An Unangax scientist, delves into her vital research concerning toxic algal blooms affecting filter feeding shellfish—a staple Indigenous food for her people, illuminates the profound connection between the Unangax people and their environment, showcasing the resilience and resourcefulness of a culture in the face of unprecedented challenges.
Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance, Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere
Watermarks shows how one person’s dedication and passion for paddling, river surfing, filmmaking, and conservation can have a ripple effect, inspiring others to take action and make a difference in their communities. The story is centered on a program called First Waves, which provides under-resourced youth with the chance to enjoy and protect their local waterways.