After a three-year hiatus, the RVA Environmental Film Festival returns this year, from Feb. 21 to March 7. Eight venues across the River City will participate: Studio Two Three, Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Richmond, Maymont, libraries in Richmond, Chesterfield, and Henrico, and a final screening at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
RVA Environmental Film Festival President Keith Elliott explains how the festival focuses on environmental education as its main goal and purpose.
“It’s a love for and curiosity of and commitment to the natural world. The films are about exploration and preservation of the natural environment, so it’s really a love letter to nature and what people are doing for nature,” Elliott says. “And we always keep the festival free; we never charge for anything, including tickets, and there’s no need for reservations.”
Two of the screened films, Catching Pinecones, directed by Chad Heddleston, and All Forward, directed by Justin Black, address environmental matters in Virginia.
A River Called Home, which will be shown at Studio Two Three on Feb. 22, is one of Elliott’s personal favorites from this year’s selection.
“The film takes place on the James River, and it’s about four women who paddle the length of the James River and conduct water pollution studies.” Elliott says, “The film was also coordinated with Henrico High School students, so that’s got a local tie-in.”
Other films featured in the festival are chosen for their variety of topics related to the environment, intended to raise awareness and increase education. Some topics presented this year include water pollution, endangered species, microplastics, and forest fires harming regions across the U.S.—including the Chesapeake Bay.
To add an interactive element to the festival, filmmakers will be available for a Q&A segment after certain screenings.
“That makes a difference because some of these films you could stream at home by yourself, but what makes it a festival is that people are there together watching a film, and then the filmmaker is there to answer questions.” Elliott says, “The purpose is to have people interact with each other and have a sense of community about the issues.”
Elliott hopes the film festival will continue to grow so these films and talking points can become more accessible to Virginia residents, leaving them inspired.
“Even though some of these topics in the films can be kind of overwhelming, a lot of the films also offer solutions and ideas about how people can come together.” Elliott says, “I’m hoping that people are educated and made aware of things, but also that they see some opportunities for them to get involved if they want to in their community and do something positive rather than feeling overwhelmed by it all.”
To learn more about the RVA Environmental Film Festival, visit the website for more details. RVAEFF.org
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