The 8th Annual Richmond Environmental Film Festival, which kicked off last night, has come around once again for its week-long showcase to raise awareness on environmental issues featuring local and national films at various venues across the city.
Every year, the festival bolsters its lineup with an arsenal of films, providing breathtaking, in-depth examinations of the obstacles our environment faces, along with guest speakers, and environmentalist panels, all looking to accommodate a haven for discussion.
Founded in 2008 by the James River Film Society and revived by the Sierra Club in 2011, the festival has continued its relentless awareness outreach to the Richmond community, with presenters including the Enrichment Foundation, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Viridiant, and the Capital Region Land Conservancy.
Over 20 films have been selected for this year’s screenings including films on the Flint water crisis, to “Awake: A Dream From Standing Rock,” that captures the Sioux tribe’s peaceful protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline, and “Jane,” a deep look inside the life of activist and conservationist Jane Goodall and her extensive work and interactions with chimpanzees. The film draws from never before seen footage from National Geographic archives a by Philip Glass. The film will be a double feature for the festival, first showing at the VCU Commons Theater at 3:30 pm on Tues., Feb. 6, and 4:45 pm on Sun., Feb. 11 at the Byrd Theater.
Films will be screened all across Richmond venues including the University of Richmond Ukrop Auditorium, VCU Student Commons Theater, VCU Grace Street Theater, WCVE Studios, Chesterfield public libraries, The Visual Arts Center, The Byrd Theatre, and The Science Museum of Virginia.
On Sunday, the RVA Environmental Film Festival Committee will announce the winners of the Virginia Environmental Film awards and screen their films at The Byrd Theatre at 3:05 PM.
The film festival will run until Sun. Feb. 18, you can see the full rundown of films, times, speakers and places here.
