Elliott and Schlemowitz’s Magic Lantern Show: Views of Nature and Moving Images Before the Movies

Join experimental filmmaker and magic lantern afficianado Joel Schlemowitz for a spectacular live journey in the elemental images conjured through the pre-cinematic play of light and shadow. 19th century optical devices will project a flight of fantasy through the environmental imaginations of a prior era, bringing to life visions of the natural world in a specially curated program unique to FLEFF 2025 and its special theme of 'movement.'

Time: 1:00pm

7 Walks With Mark Brown

Vincent Barré / Pierre Creton, France, 2024, 104 mins

7 Walks with Mark Brown focuses on paleobotanist Mark Brown through Normandy as he identifies the rare flora of the region as part of his attempt to recreate a primary forest in his own garden in Normandy. This “phytocentric road movie” follows Brown as he leads a small group scouting for Indigenous plants while sharing his ecological knowledge and passion for his work with them. A gorgeous and meditative reflection on life, nature, and passion.

Time: 3:30pm

Every Little Thing

Sally Aitken, USA, 2024, 93 mins

Author and wildlife rehabber Terry Masear has an ambitious goal: to save every injured hummingbird in Los Angeles. But the path to survival is fraught with danger. This heart-expanding Sundance hit introduces audiences to Terry's diminutive patients through breathtaking slow-motion photography and emotional storytelling. Over the course of director Sally Aitken’s moving documentary, we become deeply invested in baby hummingbirds like Cactus and Wasabi, celebrating their tiny victories and lamenting their tragedies. Through Terry's eyes, each bird becomes memorable, mighty and heroic. Her compassion and empathy serves as a reminder that grace can be found in the smallest of acts and the tiniest of creatures.

Time: 6:00pm

Nocturnes

Anirban Dutta / Anupama Srinivasan, India / USA, 2024, 83 mins

In the dense forests of the Eastern Himalayas, moths are whispering something to us. In the dark of night, two curious observers shine a light on this secret universe. Together, they are on an expedition to decode these nocturnal creatures in a remote ecological “hot spot” on the border of India and Bhutan. The result is a deeply immersive film that transports audiences to a rarely-seen place and urges us all to look more closely at the hidden interconnections of the natural world.

Time: 8:30pm