BOONE—A film series focusing on issues related to sustainability begins Jan. 19 at Appalachian State University. The series is sponsored by Appalachian’s Office of Sustainability in conjunction with the Department of Geology.

All screenings will be held in I.G. Greer Auditorium at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted and are free and open to the public. Detailed information about each film is online at http://www.geology.appstate.edu/filmseries.htm.

The film festival schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, Jan. 19, “Flow,” Irena Salina’s award-winning documentary investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st century – the world’s water crisis. Panelists are Dr. Ryan Emanuel (geology), Dr. Kristan Cockerill (Interdisciplinary Studies), and student Anna Ahlstrom. The film is cosponsored by the Department of Geology.

Tuesday, Feb. 16, “Taking Root,” the dramatic story of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai whose simple act of planting trees grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, protect human rights, and defend democracy – a movement for which this charismatic woman became an iconic inspiration. The film is cosponsored by Belk Library and Information Commons.

Tuesday, March 23, “Fresh,” about farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing the nation’s food system.  The film is cosponsored by the Sustainable Development Program.

Tuesday, April 20, “No Impact Man,” a chronicle of author Colin Beavan’s quest to live a green, sustainable life for a year and the conflict that results with his family. The film is cosponsored by Net Impact Club and the Sustainable MBA Degree Program.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 22-24, “Age of Stupid.”  Shows at 7:30 p.m. This film stars Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, watching footage of seven real documentary people from now and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance? The film is cosponsored by the Appalachian Popular Programming Society.

The spring Sustainability Film Series is designed to raise awareness of current environmental issues and help provide solutions. Each film will be followed by a panel discussion with local activists, community leaders, academics and students who will answer questions and discuss ways of personally getting involved on local, national and international levels.

“Films serve as an accessible medium that can inspire, educate, motivate and uplift people. And sometimes, when the stars are aligned just so, people can actually walk away from a film motivated to change a situation in their community, region or even the world,” said Crystal Simmons from the university’s Office of Sustainability.

Parking is available free of charge in the College Street parking deck after 5 p.m. For more information about parking, contact Parking and Traffic at 828- 262-2878 or www.parking.appstate.edu or visit http://www.maps.appstate.edu for a campus map.

For more information about the film series, contact Brian Zimmer in the Department of Geology at Zimmerbw@appstate.edu.

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