Green Film Series | Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology

What is The Green Screen?

The Green Screen film series focuses on the impact of the climate crisis on our plant. All films are open to the public, free, and occur at 7:00p.m. at the Normal Theater , once per month during the academic year. Series goals are:

to inform ISU students about the critical climate crisis,
to engage ISU’s community and the Bloomington-Normal community in lively discussions about the topic, and
to cultivate a sense of civic engagement where motivated parties would work together to call for policy and operational changes.

We thank all panelists for participating in lively discussions following the films. We would also like to express our gratitude to our colleagues at Milner Library, who helped secure licensing, and to faculty and staff who make suggestions for films to incorporate into the series. The Green Screen is jointly sponsored by ISU's Office of Sustainability and Center for Mathematics, Science, & Technology. The Green Screen planners are Elisabeth Reed, Rebekka Darner, May Jadallah, Ela Przybylo, and Kelly Hasselbring.

Fall 2023

All that Breathes

Tuesday, August 29, 2023
In one of the world’s most populated cities, two brothers devote their lives to the quixotic effort of protecting the black kite, a majestic bird of prey essential to the ecosystem of New Delhi that has been falling from the sky at alarming rates. Amid environmental toxicity and social unrest, the “kite brothers” spend day and night caring for the creatures in their makeshift avian basement hospital.

The Human Scale

Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Half of the human population lives in cities. By 2050, this will increase to 80%. Life in a megacity is both enchanting and problematic. Today we face peak oil, climate change, loneliness, and severe health issues due to our way of life. But why?

The Sacrifice Zone

Tuesday, October 17, 2023
The film follows Maria as she leads a group of warriors who are fighting to break the cycle of poor communities of color serving as dumping grounds, so the rest of us can live in comfortable ignorance. This film provides several curricular resources that can be used to integrate the film into high school and college courses.

The Story of Plastic

Tuesday, November 14, 2023
The film reveals the ugly truth behind plastic pollution and the false solution of plastic recycling. Different from every other plastic documentary you’ve seen, The Story of Plastic presents a cohesive timeline of how we got to our current global plastic pollution crisis and how the oil and gas industry has successfully manipulated the narrative around it.

Spring 2023

Kiss the Ground

Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Synopsis: A revolutionary group of activists, scientists, farmers, and politicians band together in a global movement of "Regenerative Agriculture" that could balance our climate, replenish our vast water supplies, and feed the world.

Panel: Dr. Nicholas Heller, Dr. Rob Rhykerd, and Dave Bishop organic farmer and owner of Prairie Earth Farms

Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai

Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Synopsis: Taking Root tells 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.

Panel: Dr. Kam Shapiro, Dr. Jacki Schneider

Cowspiracy: The sustainability secret

Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Synopsis: The film explores the impact of animal agriculture on the environment and investigates the policies of a few environmental organizations on this issue. The film also looks at various environmental concerns, including climate change, water use, deforestation, and ocean dead zones.

Panel: Dr. Eric Godoy, Kaitlyn Taylor (RSO president of Plant Based at State), Dr. Cassie Herbert

How to Let Go of the World and Love All Things Climate Can’t Change

Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Synopsis: With his trademark humor and banjo in hand, Josh Fox travels to twelve countries on six continents to meet with global climate change "warriors" who are committed to reversing the tide of global warming. The film highlights courage, resilience, and innovation as the ideals that must survive. (2 hours film)

Fall 2022

Bright Green Lies

Release Date: 2021
Synopsis: The film investigates the change in focus of the mainstream environmental movement, from a concern with protecting nature, to obsession with dominance. The film exposes lies behind the notion that solar, wind, hydro, biomass, or green consumerism will save the planet.

Panel: Dr. Keith Pluymers

Climate Refugees

Release Date: 2010
Synopsis: By covering 48 countries, the film shows the human face of climatic change to global citizens, governments, churches, The US Senate and House, Pentagon, The Vatican, International governments, DAVOS, Harvard University, Oxford, MIT, Stanford.

Thunderbird Woman: Winona LaDuke

Release Date: 2003
Synopsis: The film offers an inspiring portrait of Winona La Duke, a dynamic activist and member of the Anishinaabe tribe from the White Earth reservation in Northern Minnesota. After completing her studies in Economics at Harvard, she settled down in White Earth reservation, the homeland of her father to restore it.

Hands On: Woman, Climate Change

Release Date: 2014
Synopsis: Hands-on profiles five women from four continents tackling climate change through policy, protest, education, and innovation. The film demonstrates how women are transferring knowledge and local networks into hands-on strategies.

Panel: Dr. Eric Godoy