An environmental film festival kicks off in DeKalb this weekend. The event is hosted by NIU's Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability, and Energy. Organizers are hoping to boost attraction this year. They're adding a traditional film festival component previously not included in the event's young history.
In the audio feature below, WNIJ's Mike Moen talks with one of the event's organizers:
Here is the schedule for the week-long festival:
***Due to flooding in Lions Park, the Green Family Fun event will be moved to Haish Gym (303 South 9th Street in DeKalb). The event will end at Noon.***
Saturday, April 20
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Green Family Fun at Lions Park. Throughout the day, families can come to the park for nature hikes, kids’ crafts, a geocache scavenger hunt and creepy critter exhibits.
- 1 p.m. – STEM Café at Lincoln Inn. Join ESE Director Melissa Lenczewski for a discussion discussion on the ways that tourism impacts water quality and island ecosystems.
- 2 to 4 p.m. – Lorax Craft Party at the YMCA. Kids are invited to watch the 1972 Dr. Seuss film and make crafts that teach them how to speak for the trees. Kids can take home free activity books and kits to learn more about the environment.
Sunday, April 21
- 3 to 7 p.m. – Film Competition Showcase and Environmental Fair at the Egyptian Theater. See unique and original short films that focus on environmental issues and talk with local environmental organizations about ways to go green. (Tickets $5)
Monday, April 22
- 7 to 8:30 p.m. – Film Screening and Filmmaker Q&A at NIU’s Montgomery Hall Auditorium – Everglades of the North explores the history of the Kankakee marsh, an extraordinary home for everything from water birds to Civil War deserters. Why did the marsh vanish, and should we take action to bring it back?
Tuesday, April 23
- 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. – Storytime and crafts for young children at DeKalb Public Library. Parents, bring your little ones to the library for a “green-themed” storytime and age-appropriate crafts. Kids can take home free activity books and kits to learn more about the environment.
- 4 to 5 p.m. – Second-Chance Crafts for K-8 students at DeKalb Public Library. Learn how to recycle and upcycle trash into treasures!
- 7 to 8:30 p.m. – Film Screening and Filmmaker Q&A at NIU’s Montgomery Hall Auditorium – My Village, My Lobster focuses on lobster fishing in Nicaragua. Learn the real cost of your seafood dinner.
Wednesday, April 24
- 7 to 8:30 p.m. – Film Screening and Filmmaker Q&A at NIU’s Montgomery Hall Auditorium – Turtle Derby focuses on a group of children who are finding and training turtles for their town’s annual turtle race. When some of their turtles end up on the endangered species list, the community must decide whether their small-town tradition should change to protect the turtles.
Thursday, April 25
- 5 to 8 p.m. – Green Night Out – The community is invited to downtown DeKalb for various food and drink specials, short DIY talks, raffles, art exhibits and workshops at various businesses throughout downtown, including Tapa La Luna, Eduardos and the Smalltown Skateshop. Attendees can also enter a raffle to win prizes.
- 8 to 10 p.m. – Best of the Fest at the Egyptian Theater – The festival will conclude with a screening of the winning films from each category, the Committee Choice Award and Audience Choice award. (Tickets $5)