FILMS
IT'S TIME
"It's Time" is a poetic 4-minute film born from a personal journey of discovery. Set in early spring, in our backyard on the banks of the Sangamon River in Illinois, this cinematic ode gives voice to nature through stunning visuals and lyrical narration.
Inspired by the ancient practice of maple syrup making, the film interweaves the rhythm of sap collection with the melody of a wooden flute, creating a symphony of human creativity and nature's wisdom. The tree's awakening becomes a powerful metaphor for environmental awareness, highlighting the delicate balance between abundance and responsibility.
This film is dedicated to Indigenous peoples, including the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Wabanaki, who invented maple syrup and have harvested sap for centuries as an essential part of their physical and spiritual nourishment.
"It's Time" aspires to plant seeds of change, encouraging viewers to listen to nature's whispered warnings and become stewards of our shared environment.
MUSSEL GRUBBING: A CITIZEN SCIENCE TREASURE HUNT
Following a citizen scientist's journey of discovery, the film explores the treasure hunt for finding freshwater mussels in the upper Sangamon River. Everyday people in Illinois are supporting science in ways that are important to the well-being of their local environment. Finding a diverse collection of healthy mussels means a healthy river, which in turn means healthy people in the community. The film also shows how people come together around these experiences to ensure a healthy community. "The goal of this film will be to demystify the overall process of scientific research,” said RiverWatch Director and Stream Ecologist Danelle Haake. “We also want to show that community science projects are for everyone and no experience in science is required to participate.”
I STILL REMAIN
I Still Remain is a film that inspects and explores the inner workings, insights and inspirations of a man driven and informed by his previous two fights with cancer. The first, as a teenager, the second, just two years removed.
THANK YOU MOTHER EARTH