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Check out the online “Documenting Sustainability” film exhibit

Mimi Calhoun
September 23, 2024

University Libraries has culminated films from 51's Sustainability Film Series (SFS) to create a . The retrospective of environmental films was screened through SFS series and is now available on both DVD and streaming through the Libraries.

What originally began as a partnership between Alexandra Kamody, director of the Athena Cinema, Loraine McCosker, former instructor in the Environmental Studies Program and lorraine wochna, former subject librarian for the performing arts, the digital series highlights documentaries that focus on environmental issues and activism happening locally and around the world. The SFS is in its 14th year and has continually raised awareness and promoted dialogue through free film screenings. 

OHIO students and Athens’ community members ask questions and give commentary about the film, “Not Without Us,”
OHIO students and Athens’ community members ask questions and give commentary about the film, “Not Without Us,” at the Athena Cinema during the panel portion of the event. The film followed activists from around the world as they attended the Paris climate summit.

McCosker and wochna had been curating the film series collection for University Libraries with the purpose of providing a source for others to educate themselves on sustainability issues. As a digital exhibit, all films have links to trailers, stills or direct access to the film via OHIO.

“I wanted to gather up all the films we screened throughout 2010 - 2024 and then look at them more broadly and find a mechanism to help illustrate how these films explore common themes,” wochna wrote in an email. “It was a perfect tool to share what we learned as we explored different issues, events and people throughout the series.”

OHIO Senior Elle Dickerman in a head-to-toe suit made of plastic bags
Elle Dickerman, a senior at OHIO, donned plastic bags before the February 2020 screening of “The Story of Plastic” to demonstrate how these seemingly innocuous items can build up in our environment.

wochna broke down the exhibit by themes:  Environmental Justice, Global and Local community, Food and Water and Focus on Africa. She mentioned that there were countless captivating films, including documentaries and feature films, that explore the themes of the environment and sustainability. The selection process for the films was always the hardest part, but being a part of the series was an amazing learning experience for wochna.

“The amount of support we received from faculty, students and community members really brought home how many folks in this community care about the issues,” wochna wrote.

For more information about the exhibit, please contact Erin Wilson, digital imaging specialist & lab manager at wilsone5@ohio.edu.