Films at the Bioneers Conference
Evening screenings of a wide range of cutting-edge, environmentally and socially “engaged” documentary films have always been part of the Bioneers experience, and this 34th iteration of the conference is no exception. In fact, it’s our biggest yet, as, for the first time, our mini film festival runs three nights instead of two. We are especially excited that this is our first gathering in Berkeley, which, along with the whole East Bay, has long been an incubator of and exceptionally welcoming venue for leading documentary filmmakers. We are also really delighted to be hosting, for the first time, an entire evening of films by Indigenous directors and producers.
The films will be screened in the Goldman Theater in the David Brower Center at 2150 Allston Way, and will run from 6:40pm to approximately 10:00 pm all three nights of the conference (April 6, 7, 8).
Thursday, April 6th
Coextinction
6:40pm (1h 40m)
After a mother orca carries her dead calf for 17 days, two filmmakers join Indigenous leaders and scientists making a final attempt to protect the last 73 Southern Resident orcas from extinction. Winner of many prestigious awards, Coextinction moves beyond a traditional wildlife documentary, taking us deep into the oceans and forests of the Pacific Northwest to witness the complex systems of interconnectedness linking together ecosystem collapse, centuries of injustice against Indigenous peoples, and the frontlines of the world’s most pressing environmental threats.
The Coexistence Films team includes: Gloria Pancrazi, Elena Jean, Andrew Luba, Nicholas Castel, Victoria Obermeyer, Julien Verschooris, Morgane Trussardi, Carolina Vitorino; with co-collaborators: Will George, Chief Ernest Alfred, K’odi Nelson, Jesse and Carrie Nightwalker, and 15+ First Nations and Sovereign Tribes on whose lands filming took place. The film was made with generous support from Dr. Bronner’s, PNW Protectors, hundreds of crowdfunding supporters, and many other organizations and individuals.
The film will be introduced by Ernest Alfred, Hereditary Chief of Tlowit’sis First Nation, elected leader of the ‘Namgis First Nation and leader of the Swanson Occupation.
NOTE: To support Coextinction’s impact campaign, go to: at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/coextinction-film-impact-campaign
A Sneak Preview of Regenerating Life, Parts 1 and 2
8:30pm (90m)
Part 1 “Water Cools the Planet” and Part 2 “Life Sustains the Climate”. Regenerating Life takes an ecological approach to unpacking the social and environmental crises that confront us, challenging the prevailing climate change story and offering new, attainable solutions. It tracks growing movements of farmers, activists, scientists, and others working to repair the environmental and social devastation we have caused. We will be screening parts 1 and 2. Part 3, “Small Farms Feed the World,” will be available online for conference attendees to watch right after the conference.
A film by John Feldman.
Friday, April 7th
The Last of the Nightingales
6:40pm (film: 32m+introduction 8m)
With a special live appearance by Bernie and Katherine Krause to introduce the film Bernie Krause, the legendary pioneer of Acoustic Ecology began his journey in the 1960s as a prolific composer at the forefront of the synthesizer revolution helping transform the cinema and the music industries, but a single chance encounter with the sounds of the wilderness set him on a completely new trajectory gathering wilderness recordings across the globe. Over half a century later, his vast archive of captured soundscapes reflects dire habitat devastation in virtually all ecosystems on Earth, yet also yields urgent stories about the need for immediate change. Bernie and his wife Kat tragically faced the immediacy of climate change when their home and recording studio was completely destroyed by the Sonoma wildfires of 2017. Their message to us is ever more urgent.
“The Last of the Nightingales” invites us to experience the rich acoustic beauty of the living world through Bernie’s ears and to reconnect with it. As more and more soundscapes fall silent, Bernie reminds us that it is not too late to begin listening.
Directed and edited by Masha Karpoukhina; cinematography by Justin LaFleur; produced by Hassan Said and Rose Wyatt.
Three short films by Masha Karpoukhina
7:20pm
Protecting and Restoring California’s Ecosystems with Nature-Based Solutions
Produced by Colorfool Films
These 3 short films represent an inspiring patchwork of some of the most ambitious conservation projects to be undertaken in California in response to the climate crisis. What can be achieved if we decide to work in concert with nature rather than against her? If we decide to learn from the wealth of ecological knowledge embedded in the evolutionary process, billions of years in the making? In many ways, the things that we love most about the Bay Area from our coastal redwoods, to the majesty of the Bay, to the free flowing waters that nourish it, deeply depend on the success of these 3 projects. They represent hope, but it’s clear that they will not be enough. How can we inspire a thousand more projects just like these to help redefine what is possible?
A Valley Endures: Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST)
Between two ridges—the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range—lies Coyote Valley, the last remaining, largely undeveloped link connecting 1.13 million acres of habitat that is already severely fragmented by human development. If the wildlife who call these habitats home are to have a chance at adapting to our changing climate, or even surviving, Coyote Valley must be protected forever. (5 minutes)
Where the Wetlands Grow: Save The Bay
As the Bay Area braces for 7 feet of sea level rise by the year 2100, Save The Bay and partners such as the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project are pioneering nature-based solutions for one of the largest tidal marsh restoration projects on the West Coast. This innovative approach protects Bay Area wildlife and human communities with healthy marshes teeming with native vegetation instead of hardened seawalls or levees.
6000 Miles: CalWild
There are so few free-flowing rivers in the U.S. that the Department of the Interior considers them endangered ecosystems. Enter Kayla Lopez, a young river activist, and Steve Evans (aka The River Guy), who has lobbied for wild rivers in Congress his whole life. Both are on a journey into the spirit of the California rivers they hold dear. Follow their stories as we explore CalWild’s mission to protect a total of 6,000 miles eligible under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by 2028. (5 minutes)
Does Nature Have Rights?
7:40pm (32m+introduction)
This short film shows frontline Ecuadorian conservationists invoking the “rights of nature” clause in their nation’s constitution to work to save areas of immense biodiversity. This half hour show is Episode #4 of Tangled Bank Studio’s brand-new series, Wild Hope.
The film will be introduced by Callie Broaddus, founder of Reserva: The Youth Land Trust, a nonprofit empowering youth to conserve threatened species and habitats around the world.
Great thanks to Tangled Bank Studios, a mission-driven production company: https://www.tangledbankstudios.org/
For more information on the Wild Hope series: https://www.tangledbankstudios.org/our-films/coming-soon-wild-hope
The Janes
8:20pm (102 minutes)
In the spring of 1972, police raided an apartment on the South Side of Chicago where seven women who were part of a clandestine network were arrested and charged. Using code names, fronts, and safe houses to protect themselves and their work, the accused had built an underground service for women seeking safe, affordable, illegal abortions. They called themselves “Jane.”
Directed by Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes, The Janes offers first-hand accounts from the women at the center of the group, many speaking on the record for the first time. The Janes tells the story of this group of unlikely outlaws who defied the state legislature that outlawed abortion, the Catholic Church that condemned it, and the Chicago Mob that was profiting from it, and risked their personal and professional lives to help women in need.
Saturday, April 8th
Indigeneity Film Night
6:40-9:45pm
Join us for a film night celebrating cultural revitalization through a series of documentary films, each followed by Q&A.
6:40 -7:25: Cara Romero: Following the Light profiles the art and inspiration of Bioneers’ Indigeneity Program Co-Director and award-winning photographer, Cara Romero. Q&A with featured artist, Cara Romero.
7:30 -8:10: Long Line of Ladies tells the story of the return of women’s coming of age ceremonies among the Yurok tribe of Northern California. Q&A with featured culture-bearer, Pimm Allen.
8:15 -8:45: Indigeneity shorts present an accurate portrait of the Native American experience by tackling stereotypes, exploring contemporary issues, and celebrating Indigenous contributions to America. Q&A with producer/writer/director, Alexis Bunten.
