Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

The Environmental Film Festival in the Nation‚ Capital (DCEFF) is the largest and longest-running showcase of environmentally themed films in the world. Through our annual Festival held each March in Washington, D.C and year-round community-based programming, we work to advance the understanding and stewardship of the environment through the power of film. Our film selections and subsequent panel conversations offer forums for environmental discourse to promote awareness, reasoned discussion, and actionable steps for much-needed change.

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Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

Viewing environmentalism through an intersectional lens, we are especially committed to highlighting stories of environmental justice and engaging BIPOC filmmakers, film subjects, and communities with our Festival selections. A sampling of our recent selections include the following: 

Youth V. Gov (directed by Christi Cooper): Youth v. Gov is the story of America‚ youngest citizens taking on the world‚ most powerful government. Twenty-one courageous youth lead a groundbreaking lawsuit against the U.S. government, asserting it has willfully acted over six decades to create our climate crisis, thus endangering their constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property. 

Gather (directed by Sanjay Rawal): Gather follows the stories of Natives on the frontlines of a growing movement to reconnect with spiritual and cultural identities that were devastated by genocide and how the reclaiming and recovery of ancient food ways is a path forward for Native Americans to bring back health and vitality to their people. 

The Falconer (directed by Annie Kaempfer): This intimate portrait film follows master falconer Rodney Stotts on his mission to build a bird sanctuary and to provide access to nature for his stressed community. The Falconer weaves his present-day mission with the story of his past, both of which are deeply rooted in issues of social and environmental injustice. In a forgotten corner of our nation's capital, he takes the time to break through to those too often dismissed as "hard to reach." 

Additionally, a key part of our year-round programming is our signature Youth Program. This annual film screening, held in February/March, is presented free of charge to approximately 1,000 D.C. public and charter school students and includes a Q&A with filmmakers and other speakers to extend our programming impact. Other year-round community-based screenings enable us to bring to audiences of all ages the latest environmental films on a continuous basis, and many of our programs are offered free of charge to raze socioeconomic barriers to full participation. 

Recognizing the deep disparity in lived experiences and opportunities across racial lines, DCEFF launched a commitment grant for BIPOC filmmakers in late 2023. The voices and labor of BIPOC people are underrepresented in both the film festival and environmental realms, and it is not possible to confront environmental injustice without creating distinct opportunities to fund and promote their works.

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Mission Statement:

To advance understanding and stewardship of the environment through the power of film.

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