Are you overwhelmed by the amount of plastic in your life?
This year’s feature film at the Earth Week Film Festival might just inspire you to make change.
The City of Campbell River and School District 72 are gearing up for the annual Earth Week Film Festival on April 19 at the Tidemark Theatre. The event’s feature film Bag it, is an award winning documentary that delves into the impacts of plastic on human health and the environment.
Plastic is everywhere and infiltrates our lives in unimaginable ways. In this touching and often flat-out-funny film, we follow “everyman” Jeb Berrier, who is admittedly not a tree hugger, as he embarks on a global tour to unravel the complexities of our plastic world. This single-use mentality has led to the formation of a floating island of plastic debris that continues to grow in the Pacific Ocean.
The film also explores how plastic threatens not only waterways and marine life, but human health, too. Film producer Jeb Berrier highlights his concerns about two of the most common plastic additives are endocrine disruptors, which have been shown to link to cancer, diabetes, autism, attention deficit disorder, obesity and infertility.
“Bag it is funny, inspiring, and educational,” says Amy van den Hooven, the Earth Week film festival coordinator. “I think that this film helps us recognize the importance of reducing the amount of plastic that we use and creative alternatives.”
The evening will also feature student films and the highly entertaining 2012 Compost Video Challenge, which follows six Campbell River families as they compete to reduce their waste and capture video footage that will inspire other people to start composting.
City representatives and community environmental groups will be on hand to share information about composting, recycling, and other green initiatives taking place in Campbell River.
“This is a great event for families, students, and community members of all ages,” says councilor Ryan Mennie, who will be Emcee for the event. “It is an opportunity to celebrate Earth Week and learn about ways that we can make a positive difference in our community.”
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the film begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 19 at the Tidemark Theatre. Admission is by donation, with proceeds going to support student environmental projects.
Tickets are available on a first come first serve basis at the Tidemark Theatre.
