Princeton NJ Libraries Announcements

17th Annual Princeton Environmental Film Festival March 24 - 31

Path of the Panther: A scene from the documentary “Path of the Panther,” directed by Eric Bendick

The Princeton Environmental Film Festival, a signature Princeton Public Library event, opens Friday March 24 and runs through Friday, March 31. The 17^th annual festival features 22 films: 11 feature-length documentaries and 11 short films including one short narrative film.

Films will be screened in person at the library and virtually, with some films available in both formats. Selections being screened virtually will be available to view through April 2. One film will be screened at the Princeton Garden Theatre on March 30.

The festival is under the direction of Susan Conlon and Kim Dorman who curate and present films with local, regional and international relevance. The full lineup of films including screening schedule and instructions for using the Eventive platform can be found at princetonlibrary.org/peff.

Through the generosity of festival sponsors Church & Dwight Co. Inc., The Whole Earth Center of Princeton, High Meadows Environmental Institute at Princeton University and the Friends and Foundation of the Princeton Public Library, all PEFF screenings are free.

Highlights of the festival include:

Friday, March 24, 7 p.m., Community Room

“Path of the Panther”

National Geographic photographer Carlton Ward Jr. captures images of the endangered and elusive Florida panther which aid his efforts to protect the species and restore some of its habitat. 1 hour, 29 minutes.

Thursday, March 30, 7 p.m., Princeton Garden Theatre

“All That Breathes”

This documentary follows two brothers who run a bird hospital dedicated to rescuing the injured black kites that fall daily from the smog-choked skies of New Delhi, India. In Hindi with English subtitles. 1 hour, 33 minutes. Tickets are free but required and are available through the theater.

PEFF films with a New Jersey connection include:

Saturday, March 25, 11 a.m., Community Room

“Fields of Devotion”

 Across America, small family farms are racing against climate change. This film follows the unique working partnership between small farmers and plant biologists as they develop disease- and climate-resistant food crops to support New Jersey’s food system. 29 minutes. Filmmaker Dena Seidel and others will take part in a post-screening Q&A.

Wednesday, March 29, 7 p.m., Community Room

“Dark Sacred Night”

Many people live their entire lives without ever seeing the Milky Way because of light pollution. Princeton University astrophysicist Gaspar Bakos wants to change that. He is one of a growing number of experts championing simple, commonsense changes to outdoor lighting that can dramatically reduce light pollution.16 minutes. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Jared Flescher and Gaspar Bakos.

“The Bug That Brings Us Together”

Tuesday, March 28, 4 p.m.

Recognizing that food waste is among the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, a group of Princeton High School students use larvae of the black soldier fly to bioremediate discarded food. 3 minutes. Part of a block of short films being shown at this time.

Additional featured films are:

Tuesday, March 28, 6 p.m., Community Room

“Pleistocene Park”

A Russian scientist and his son endeavor to restore the Ice Age “mammoth steppe” ecosystem by bringing thousands of formerly indigenous wildlife back to Siberia's Pleistocene Park. 1 hour, 41 minutes

Sunday, March 26, 1:30 p.m., Community Room

“Stepping Softly on the Earth”

Three Indigenous leaders from the Amazon try to keep their ways of being in the world alive. In the film, the three narrate the threats to their territories from large-scale mining, monoculture, oil extraction, logging and the construction of hydroelectric plants. 1 hour, 13 minutes. Filmmaker Marcos Colon will take part in a post-screening Q&A.

Saturday, March 25, 4 p.m., Community Room

“Fashion Reimagined”

Trailblazing London fashion designer Amy Powney is on a mission to create a sustainable collection from field to finished garment and transform the way we engage with fashion. 1 hour, 40 minutes. Prior to the screening, “Thrift that Fit,” an interactive panel presentation by local thrift store enthusiasts who will share how to create a more sustainable wardrobe, will take place at 3 p.m. in the Community Room.

Sunday, March 26, 3:30 p.m., Community Room

“Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West”

This sweeping, immersive journey into the world of wild horses illuminates both their profound beauty and the desperate plight they face in the Western United States. 1 hour, 39 minutes. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Ashley Avis.