Climate Change and Our Economy Discussion to Feature CIFF Screening of O’Chang Film

ROCKLAND, Maine – Georges River Land Trust is excited to announce a partnership with Camden International Film Festival as part of their new Sustainable Maine program. The first screening in CIFF’s yearlong, statewide tour to build support for a just transition and sustainable future in Maine will be presented at the Land Trust’s November 5 educational panel on climate change. The event will take place at the Strand Theatre in Rockland 6:30 to 8 p.m., with keynote speaker, Dr. Stephen Mulkey and an esteemed panel of environmental experts.

As a lead-in to “Climate Change and Our Economy: A Positive Vision for Maine in an Era of Rapid
Climate Change,” CIFF will present the four minute animated short, “A Climate Calamity in the Gulf of Maine: The Lobster Pot Heats Up.” The film balances humor with chilling facts about Maine’s lobster industry in the face of climate change. “A Climate Calamity” was produced by husband-and-wife animation team Andy O’Brien and Hanji Chang of Rockland. They are known as O’Chang Studios and are the team behind viral comic animations about Maine life, “Temp Tales.”

CIFF is pleased to have Georges River Land Trust screen this film as the first in the Sustainable Maine program. “The Land Trust is presenting an important forum and this film echoes the message that climate change is intricately linked to Maine’s economic future. This partnership is ideal as we kick off the Sustainable Maine screenings,” said Ben Fowlie, CIFF Founder and Executive Director.

Sustainable Maine is an action-oriented public engagement program of the Camden International Film Festival designed to connect Maine-based environmental leaders and allies with powerful documentary films that spark public dialogue and responsive, local actions to address the intersecting environmental challenges (and opportunities) related to climate change, ocean and land conservation, sustainable agriculture and renewable energy.

Tickets for the forum and screening are $20 general admission, $15 for Georges River Land Trust members. For advance tickets, call (207) 594-5166 or visit http://www.georgesriver.org/event/climate-change-summit/. Students with valid ID will be offered a special $10 ticket price if they call. Tickets will be available at the box office on the event day for cash only.

An exclusive members-only pre-event reception with the speakers and film-makers is also offered. The reception tickets include appetizers and drinks as well as front of the house seating. To learn more about how to become a member of the Georges River Land Trust, please visit georgesriver.org/donate.

Bangor Savings Bank has provided generous sponsorship for this event with supporting sponsorship provided by The Strand Theatre.

Georges River Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) member-supported nonprofit whose mission is to protect the ecosystems and traditional heritage of the Georges River watershed through permanent land conservation, stewardship, education, and outdoor experiences. For more information visit www.georgesriver.org, email info@grlt.org, or call (207) 594-5166.