The Green Screen – Defend the Gulf Short Film Showcase

Please Join us for the DEFEND THE GULF SHORT FILM SHOWCASE – A series of powerful, funny, and moving shorts like Vanishing Pearls: The Oystermen of Pointe a la Hache, excerpts from the Gulf Restoration Network’s issue-focused Gulf Tides series, spoofs from Second City, and GRN’s own PSA “Two Years Later” featuring Dr. John, Ani Difranco, and more!  Admission FREE! Seating is limited.  Doors open at 6:30pm – Screening starts at 7:00pm.

Gulf Restoration Network staff will be on hand to provide an update on current issues regarding the BP oil disaster, restoration of Louisiana’s wetlands, and protecting the Gulf from future oil disasters. After the films, audience members will be able to take action to support restoring and protecting the Gulf of Mexico.

THE GREEN SCREEN” is a monthly environmental film series produced by the Charitable Film Network and The Green Project, with support from Press Street. Screenings are held at The Green Project Warehouse. All films are free and open to the public – so invite your friends!  For more information contact mail@charitablefilmnetwork.org, and please visit www.thegreenproject.org.

SHORT FILM DESCRIPTIONS:

2 Years Later PSA by Gulf Restoration Network
To mark the 2-year memorial of BP’s oil disaster, GRN partnered with musicians performing at the Voodoo Experience music festival in New Orleans, like Dr. John, Ani Difranco, and Portugal.theMan; and community members in coastal communities.

Vanishing Pearls: The Oystermen of Pointe a laHache
by Perspective Pictures
Winner of GRN’s Film Competition! This is the story of the Oystermen of Pointe a la Hache, Louisiana and their struggle to survive in the aftermath of the BP Oil Spill that left their oyster reefs dead, finances in ruins and culture facing extinction.

You’re Welcome: BP Voices from the Gulf
by The Second City Network
Another winner of GRN’s Film Competition! The comedians at Second City spoof BP’s “nothing to see here” advertising campaign with a commercial of their own. “Because corporations are people, or display people-like qualities. And sometimes they need a pat on the back. Or a hug. Or permission to expand offshore drilling. So BP has introduced Voices from the Gulf.”

Gulf Tides: Marine Impacts
by Gulf Restoration Network
Over two years after the BP disaster, impacts to the marine ecosystem of the Gulf are beginning to be understood. When will our government and BP begin the process of restoration? This episode of our ongoing video series focuses on how better managing commercial fishing in the Gulf could help the environment recover.

Gulf Tides: Restoring the Hurricane Highway by Gulf Restoration Network
The Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) is a shipping channel which has been central to the devastation

of the coastal lines of defense of the greater New Orleans area, and helped allow Katrina’s storm surge into St. Bernard Parish and the Lower 9th Ward. This episode of Gulf Tides focuses on restoration of the MRGO wetlands and the actions from congress necessary to fund such efforts.

Beasts of the Southern Wild Featurette by Court 13 Productions
The celebrated new release Beasts of the Southern Wild was filmed in coastal Louisiana and offers a  fantastical story that reflects many themes of life familiar to residents of coastal communities. The full-length film won awards at the Cannes Film Festival, and the Sundance Film Festival where it premiered, and more.

100/1000 Restoring Coastal Alabama by Hunter Nichols Productions
Restoring oyster reefs in Alabama is an example of restoration efforts that RESTORE dollars can fund. The collaborative effort is already underway and documented here, and the film also has some beautiful shots of the Gulf.

Gulf Tides: The Dead Zone by Gulf Restoration Network
The Dead Zone is an area in the Gulf of Mexico that forms seasonally where oxygen levels in the water are too low to support life. This episode of Gulf Tides focuses on the causes and impacts of the Dead Zone, and efforts to make sure that the Environmental Protection Agency takes concrete action to clean up the Dead Zone.

Gulf Tides: Mississippi River Flood Lessons and Lost Opportunities by Gulf Restoration Network
The Mississippi River flood of 2011 is one of the largest in the history of this enormous basin, and threatened numerous communities. Due to the successful operation of a number of designed safety valves, the worst-case flood impacts were avoided, but oil & gas industry infrastructure was inundated, and a massive land-building opportunity was missed. GRN and other experts weigh in on the lessons of this flood, and what should have been learned by the BP drilling disaster.

You’re Welcome – BP Voices from the Gulf by The Second City Network and The Partisans
A hilarious spoof of BP’s advertising campaign. ”What would you ask an oil company?”

Spill Baby Spill by Bryan Hopkins
From the makers of the full-length documentary, Dirty Energy, this short covers the fallout of the BP oil disaster and makes an impassioned plea to move the country off oil.