EarthVision
Founded by Ed Schehl and Kathleen Knight in 1999, the EarthVision International Environmental Film Festival provided a venue in which makers of environmental films could gather and celebrate each other’s work. In 2008, the Santa Cruz Film Festival assumed operational control of EarthVision and incorporated its vision and mission into SCFF's overall programming template. SCFF has presented nearly 70 environmental films since then that seek to raise awareness of critical environmental issues, explore the attempts of those who pursue environmental justice, and mobilize support and action within the community.
In 2011, the EarthVision section included 9 feature-length films including Windfall, which explored green corporate opportunism, If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front, a study of radical environmentalism, Carbon Nation, an examination of solutions to the climate crisis for those who may be skeptical of it, and A Road Not Taken, a look back at President Jimmy Carter's historic installation of solar panels on the White House in 1979.
Bhopali, Van Maximilian Carlson, USA/India, 2011
As the relationship between humanity and the environment continues to evolve, so, too, does the vision and perspective of EarthVision. It is no longer sufficient to study environmental issues without also casting an eye on questions of social justice and humanitarian issues. A more holistic reflection is required. Humanity’s relationship with itself is inextricably linked with its relationship to the environment.
With this in mind, beginning in 2012, the EarthVision Environmental Film Section is being expanded and recast as the EarthVision Environmental and Social Justice Film Section, and will include films that raise awareness of, and aim to discover solutions to, issues between both humans and each other, and humanity and the environment. The Spirit of Action Prize, new in 2011, is being incorporated in the “new” EarthVision alongside the EarthVision Environmental Film Prize, and each will be presented to a feature-length and short subject film.
Visit the EarthVision films page for more information on the films we screened in 2011, and to explore the entire lineup.
The Ice Sculptor (L'artigiano glaciale), Alberto Meroni, Switzerland, 2011
We are proud to be continuing EarthVision’s tradition of presenting timely, important environmental films, and also about this evolution in our Festival.
SCFF is now accepting submissions for its 11th Season, May 10-19, 2012. Visit our call for entries page for more information and to enter your film. Discounted entry fees are eligible for films submitting into EarthVision.
