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Even though much of my work is literally TOO BIG FOR WORDS, occasionally I am inspired to write, and this is the place for that. Feel free to join in the conversation. Thanks for reading.
 There is a ONEderful (Earth) Film Fest in town — catch her before she’s gone! (http://www.oneearthfilmfest.org/films-by-date/)
Six years ago, there were six people at my very first screening. This year, film after film is sold out! Yesterday, 266 people packed in — it was “standing room only” to see A Small Good Thing at St. Giles; the night before, 150 packed into the Good Earth Greenhouse to see Minimalism. The juicy discussions and rich resource fairs that followed were actually large, wonderful things. Crowds are pouring into church halls, greenhouses and libraries all over Chicago this week, eager to become part of this vibrant community conversation learning to minimize, downsize and transform our bad habits and mindless attitudes into something more sustainable — to discover that small, good thing we can each do to enjoy more meaning and create closer communities. We occupy this One Earth after all, so why not do it better together? Thousands of hours donated by dozens of volunteers make this week-long event possible. Thanks to the good people of Green Community Connections there are 47 screenings in 39 venues all over Chicagoland this week. I look forward to this event all yearlong — and this year feels very different. This time, the message feels more urgent. This time, attendees are ready to lean in. This time, listeners seem more eager to respond with action steps the film fest hopes to inspire. “We are lucky,” we say, “To live in a community of activism” — glad to find our peeps amidst the chaos, noise and despair that November’s election wrought. There’s nothing new at OEFF 2017; the same messages are being delivered with the same urgency as in past years. And yet, the venues are packed with standing-room only crowds at a time we absolutely need to take a stand for our One Earth, the home we inhabit together. That is good news! Go see some films. Join us as we conspire to use less, love more, live more simply, and walk lighter on our home planet. This is our time. It is up to us!
4 Comments
3/6/2017 08:41:29 am
Thank you, Susan, for this beautiful article. I think that you are right -- this year feels different. Yes, this is our time and it is up to us! All of us together!
Monica Halloran
3/6/2017 09:32:15 am
The three movies I have attended have been powerful and engaging. Let's all show up and then act up!!! 3/6/2017 10:28:12 am
Thank you, Susan, for this lovely reflection on the festival's first weekend. (Sharing it.) You're right, this year feels very different. It is indeed. I felt it the night of the gala and on through the seven events I attended Saturday and Sunday. The need to connect, to know, to take action is taking hold, and people are responding. We are, to borrow a phrase I truly believe, "stronger together." Leave a Reply. |
