I am Kristen Bergren. The 7th season of the QC Environmental Film Series begins next January in our new venue…St. Ambrose’s Galvin Fine Arts Center theater! To help get the word out about our location in 2026 and to thank our loyal QCEFS fans, we are having a free event on Sunday, November 2 at Galvin! From 2:00 to 3:00 in the lobby is ENVIRO Connect; an opportunity to visit and learn from local conservation and environmental groups. The Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Nahant Marsh, Partners of Scott County Watersheds, River Action and Niabi Zoo will all be there. We will have drawings for prizes, fun give aways, and popcorn!
At 3:00 we’re excited to announce that we will show the academy award winning documentary, My Octopus Teacher. Enjoy this beautiful movie on the big screen as you are immersed in the South African kelp forests and move through the ocean with the filmmaker, Craig Foster, who forges an unusual friendship with an octopus. The octopus shares the mysteries of her world and shows Foster that life is fragile and connections to the natural world can heal and make us whole.
Our reflection speakers for after the movie are from the Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque, Iowa. Did you know that the aquarium has an octopus? Yes they do…and we are fortunate to have their octopus handler along with an educator from the museum as our speakers!
To give you a sneak peek today about what we are also excited about for our 7th season…I can share with you that we are giving film series Laurel awards to each of our documentaries, we will have our first international director as a speaker, and will zoom in filmmaker and activist surfers from CA to also join us for discussions! I can also tell you that QCEFS will be at Galvin on Sundays, ENVIRO Connect is 2:00 and movies at 3:00 with reflection speakers after. Now for the movies!
Jan. 18 Out There – documents interviews of visitors and employees at our national parks who share heartfelt stories of what the parks mean to them
Jan. 25 Out of Plain Sight – an investigative reporter along with a scientist discover thousands of gallons of illegal dumping of toxic waste in the Pacific Ocean
Feb. 1 Beaver Fever – the reintroduction of beavers into the English countryside brings good results for the watersheds and also problems to landowners
Feb. 8 The Cigarette Surfboard – engineer turned creator and unexpectedly activist for clean oceans travelsthe world with his ciggy boards promoting clean water and
Feb. 15 Double feature – Kelp! Adventurers sail the British coast visiting Kelp Farms highlighting the importance of sustainable farming and their kelp products. Second feature is Green Buffalo – the Lower Sioux Indian Community in MN grow hemp and make Hempcrete a sustainable building material that has brought jobs and healthy housing.
March 1 Reef Builders – Documents the urgent efforts to combat coral decline in local fishing communities from Hawaii, Kenya, Australia and Indonesia using reef stars.
We hope you can join us for the free QCEFS Sneak Peek on Nov. 2 and at 2:00 learn from local conservationists and environmentalist for the ENVIRO Connect and at 3:00 stay for My Octopus Teacher and reflection speakers.