For over 25 years, the "Visions of Nature-Voices of Nature" Environmental Film Festival has brought compelling and important films to the Tampa Bay area and the Eckerd College community to raise awareness and promote discussion of matters relating to nature, place and the environment.

Film scholars as well as established and emerging filmmakers from around the world engage the audience in a lively dialogue about the environmental perspectives contained in documentary, animated, experimental and feature films.

Screenings for this year's festival will take place in the Miller Auditorium at Eckerd College with the exception of the March 1 film which will be screened outside at the Eckerd College Community Farm.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, February 21, 2025

Black Butterflies
Directed by David Baute (Spain - Panama, Spanish, Bangla, French, Arabic with English subtitles, 83m, 2024)

Based on testimony from real-life climate refugees, this animated drama follows three women from different parts of the world as they are forced to leave the only homes they have ever known and begin anew.

This film will feature an introduction and discussion with Dr. Michael Burch (Political Science, Eckerd College).

This animated film depicts violence and sexual assault.

Saturday, February 22, 2025

Seeds
Directed by Kaniehtiio Horn (Canada, English, 82m, 2024)

In this comedic eco-revenge thriller from writer-director-star Kaniehtiio Horn (Reservation Dogs), an aspiring online influencer heads back to the reservation to protect her indigenous roots. By turns brutally funny and violent in its exploration of what Natives and other inhabitants of this earth owe to the land.

This film will feature an introduction and discussion with Dr. Amy Rust (Humanities and Cultural Studies, University of South Florida)

This eco-horror film depicts violence against humans and animals.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Ripples of Plastic
Directed by Chris Langer (US, English, 45m, 2024), preceded by Entangling Horizons, directed by Jackson Willhoit '25 (US, English, 3m, 2024)

An eye-opening documentary exploration of the unseen impacts of plastic pollution in the Great Lakes region, that follows the scientists and activists who are attempting to understand its impacts on human and environmental health and are working to create a plastic-free future. The film will follow the screening of a short experimental documentary on the impact of human debris on ocean environments in the aftermath of a natural disaster, by Eckerd senior Jackson Willhoit ’25.

This event will feature student lobby presentations on our climate present and future before the films and a discussion with director Chris Langer (virtual) after the screening.

Thursday, February 27, 2025

Every Little Thing
Directed by Sally Aitken (Australia, English, 94m, 2024)

A woman living in the heart of Hollywood finds herself as she nurtures wounded hummingbirds. This award-winning documentary is a visually captivating tale of love, fragility and healing.

This film will feature a virtual discussion with writer-director Sally Aitken after the film.

Friday, February 28, 2025

Snow Leopard
Directed by Pema Tseden (China, Tibetan and Mandarin with English subtitles, 109m, 2023)

A television crew, accompanied by a young Tibetan monk, travels to a rural farm where a family argues over the fate of a snow leopard that attacked their sheep. Set in the Tibetan mountains, this fictional film explores the conflict between wildlife conservation and traditional land use and the complex relationship between humans and nature in a landscape fraught with national politics.

This film will feature an introduction and discussion with festival programmers Dr. Nathan Andersen (Philosophy and Film Studies, Eckerd College) and Dr. Katrin Pesch (Film Studies, Eckerd College)

Saturday, March 1, 2025

Farming While Black
Directed by Mark Decena (US, English, 75m, 2023)

Based on the book of the same name by Leah Penniman, co-founder of Soul Fire Farm, this documentary considers the plight of Black farmers in the United States, while celebrating a rising generation of young Black farmers who find strength in the deep historical knowledge of African agrarianism.

This film will feature an introduction and discussion with director Mark Decena in person. This screening will be held at the Eckerd College Community Farm. Bring your own blankets or chairs for this outdoor screening.

Location: outside at the Community Farm (rain location: Miller Auditorium)

Date: Febrauary 21 - March 1, 2025

Location: Eckerd College: Miller Auditorium and Community Farm, 4200 54th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33711

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