Kelp! at St. Ambrose University -- February 15
Sunday, February 15, 3 p.m.
St. Ambrose University's Galvin Fine Arts Center, 2101 North Gaines Street, Davenport IA
With River Action sponsoring a rare double feature in its QC Environmental Film Series, the fascinating program for February at St. Ambrose University's Galvin Fine Arts Center features a pair of short documentaries: Kelp!, the Jury Award winner of the 2024 Wild & Scenic Film Festival, and The Green Buffalo, which details how the biggest strides in hempcrete construction are going down on one of the smallest Native American reservations.
In Kelp!, under the looming shadow of ecological breakdown, a young aspiring filmmaker goes in search of a surprising super-solution that can help build a better future for humans and the planet. The documentary short invites audiences to join her and the crew on an epic visual journey aboard the good ship Gleaner through Britain's rugged coastline, as they discover the power of kelp to regenerate our coasts, empower communities and even replace plastics. Kelp! has been supported by Consano Earth, a new non-profit organization supporting environmentally conscious content and charities.
The Green Buffalo, meanwhile, demonstrates how the next generation of builders is currently in high demand. Will we continue building with conventional materials? Or will we turn to better-performing, low-energy-input natural materials? On the plains of Minnesota, the Lower Sioux Indian Community already has the answer. And they’re leading with industrial hemp. The Green Buffalo is a production by Pantagonia, whose Pantagonia.com site states: "Because frontline communities experience environmental injustices and crises first and worst, they are experts at protecting themselves, designing grassroots solutions and building just futures. We will continue to learn from, amplify and invest in these communities."
Hosted by Black Hawk College Clean Sphere, the 31-minute Kelp! and 19-minute The Green Buffalo will be shown in Davenport at St. Ambrose University's Galvin Fine Arts Center on February 15. The 3 p.m. screening is preceded by the 2 p.m. Enviro Connect featuring exhibits and networking opportunities, and Kelp! will be followed by a virtual conversation with Reflection Speaker and international director Caylon La Mantia. Admission is $10, students are admitted free with ID, and more information and tickets are available by contacting River Action at (563)322-2926 and visiting QCEnvironmentalFilmSeries.org.
