2 Epic ECO Shorts | CAN Monthly Film Festival | FREE! JOIN US!

JOIN US for an exciting evening of eco-conscious short films. Don't miss this opportunity to be inspired by impactful storytelling and connect with fellow film enthusiasts. Come support independent filmmakers and celebrate the power of cinema in prsenting effective climate and biodiversity loss solutions. See you there!

DATE: Monday March 31, 2025
TIME: 7:00-9:30 PM
LOCATION: Cinema Arts Theatres
9650 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22031
FREE!

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Awarding-Winning Gardening for the Planet
Directed/Produced by Joanne Hershfield

Gardening for the Planet reveals how your garden choices can make a crucial difference in the fight against climate change. Unlike many films that spark despair, this one empowers individuals to enhance their local ecosystems by choosing native plants over invasive species.

Featuring passionate professors and native plant enthusiasts, the film highlights the importance of these plants in supporting pollinators, which in turn fosters a thriving food web of insects, birds, and wildlife. It contrasts the benefits of native flora with the drawbacks of invasive species and the common monoculture grass lawn, which fails to support biodiversity.

With stunning visuals and engaging speakers, the film effectively advocates for native plants while showcasing how to create an attractive landscape. It’s a must-watch!

Awarding-Winning Soul of Sicily
Directed/Produced by Margie Raimondo

Who loves wine? Are you wondering how grapes will survive intense summer droughts?

The Soul of Sicily provides a profound exploration of the rich culture and spirit of the Sicilian people. Through a series of engaging narratives, it delves into the lives of individuals who call this captivating island home. The film highlights their remarkable resilience in the face of challenges, showcasing their innovative approaches to preserving the stunning landscapes and vibrant heritage of Sicily.

Viewers are introduced to various communities across the island, each with its unique traditions, culinary practices, and artistic expressions. The documentary emphasizes the importance of family, community bonds, and the deep connection the Sicilians have with their land. It captures the labor-intensive methods used in traditional crafts, the rich flavors of local cuisine, and the spirited festivals that celebrate Sicilian culture. And it’s a heartfelt tribute to the enduring spirit of its people and a celebration of what makes this island an extraordinary place in the world.

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EXPERT PANELISTS:

JOANNE HERSHFIELD Director/Producer of Gardeing for the Planet is a graduate of the Stanford University film program and has been producing documentary films for thirty years. She taught at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was Director of the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies.

Joanne’s films are in the permanent collections of over five hundred universities and libraries in the U.S., Japan, Canada, and Australia.

MARGIE RAIMONDO, Director/Producer of The Soul of Sicily, is an author, filmmaker, and chef, deeply rooted in the vibrant cultures of Sicily and Campania. Inspired by her year on Italian farms, she passionately explores the bonds between food, agriculture, and community. Her acclaimed film, L’anima della Sicilia (The Soul of Sicily), highlights local farmers' resilience in the face of climate change and food insecurity while honoring cherished traditions.

As the author of two Mediterranean cookbooks, Mangiamo and Finding Your Path, Margie shares her culinary expertise with the world. Alongside her partner, Chris, she runs a small urban farm and kitchen, offering engaging Simply Sicilian cooking and canning classes. Margie is committed to preserving farming traditions and nurturing a sustainable future through hands-on workshops and community initiatives.

MADDIE BRIGHT is the Executive Director of Earth Sangha where she has worked full-time on native plant conservation since 2011, and where she grew up as the daughter of co-founders Lisa and Chris Bright. Maddie has worked closely with ecologists, botanists, and park managers across the Northern Virginia region on plant conservation and ecological restoration projects over the years, including a brief stint interning at Huntley Meadows Park. She regularly teaches for the Arlington Regional Master Naturalist chapter and serves on the steering committee for the National Capitol Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management.

MODERATOR:

ELISA SOLOMON is the official 2025 Climate Action NOW Monthly Film Festival's Moderator. Elisa is Project Coordinator at the Fairfax Food Council.

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SCHEDULE

6:30-7:00 PM | RECEPTION in Theatre Atrium, take photos with the film directors and panelists
7:00 PM | OPENER, Directors JOANNE HERSHFIELD and MARGIE RAIMONDO will introduce their films
7:15 PM | FILM SCREENING promptly begins (we're excited to include the 2 minute prelude screening of Tides of Change in lieu of trailers; you'll LOVE IT)
8:30- 9:30 PM | PANEL DISCUSSION Q&A

JOIN US & Book Seats Now before sold out!

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Bring your own EMPTY drink and popcorn containers (that you can use to buy a drink and popcorn at Cinema Arts Theatres concession stand) to help make this a WASTE FREE event.

If the seats become fully booked, and there's a waitlist, please show up at the door anyway. There are usually enough no-shows for everyone to get in.

EVENT SPONSOR: Climate Action NOW (CAN) 501c3. EVENT PARTNERS: Network NOVA, TRACE-The Zero Waste Store in Vienna, Fairfax Invasive Removal Alliance (FIRA), Climate & Clean Energy Working Group (CCEWG), and Go Electric DMV.

Host or Publisher Climate Action NOW (CAN) 501c3