The Baltimore Environmental Film Series at Loyola University Maryland was inspired by the great environmentally themed film festivals in the mid-Atlantic including Environmental Film Fest in the Nation’s Capital and The Environmental Film Fest at Yale. As a Jesuit Catholic Institution environmental sustainability is important to the mission and values of Loyola University Maryland. This film series merges the art of film with education and advocacy for those affected by the major environmental issues of the time. The film series is one of many events publicizing the interdisciplinary minor in Environmental Studies. The series is supported by many programs and offices across campus and supported by funding from the Loyola College Dean's Office & other sources as noted on the events.
The film events are open to the public and free unless otherwise stated. The majority of the events consist of a feature followed by a discussion of the film with the audience. For events on Loyola's campus free parking on campus in the Butler/Hammerman Lot after 4 PM. Street parking is also available along Coldspring Lane and Charles Street after 6 PM. For events in the Loyola Notre Dame Library, parking is available at the library located at 200 Winston Avenue.
The Environmental Film Series is sponsored by Environmental Studies and the Dean of Loyola College.
Spring 2025 Film Series
O Rio Negro São As Pessoas (Neto & Barros, 2019)
February 3, 6 PM in the Loyola Notre Dame Library Auditorium
The Anavilhanas National Park, in the Rio Negro Amazon, is the environment for presenting characters living in the tenuous orbit between the city Manaus and riverside communities on the banks of this historic river. The film explores the contemporary meaning of being at and growing up by the banks of a river with the power of Rio Negro, submerged in a dense forest and surrounded by global elements of today; the need to leave, the forgotten desire to return, the choice to stay, the immensity and the time of the river, form an intuitive and imaginary narrative set to suggest deeply local stories that serve the reflection on human life.
Following the film, there will be a discussion with some of the film's creators.
This event is presented in collaboration with the Humanities Symposium and sponsored by the Center for Humanities.
Free and open to the public.
We Are Guardians (Greene, Grobman, & Guajajara, 2024)
March 10, 6 PM in the Loyola Notre Dame Library Auditorium
This film kicks off the events of the Humanities Symposium week.
The film follows Indigenous forest guardian Marçal Guajajara and activist Puyr Tembé as they fight to protect their territories from deforestation; an illegal logger who has no choice but to cut the forest down; and a large landowner at the mercy of thousands of invaders and extractive industry.
This event is presented in collaboration with the Humanities Symposium and sponsored by the Center for Humanities.
Free and open to the public.
Can't Stop Change: Queer Climate Stories from the Florida Frontlines (Raditz & Martinez, 2024)
April 7, 6 PM in the Loyola Notre Dame Library Auditorium
Everything Changes. As Florida’s violent legislation, LGBTQ2S+ communities are also on the frontlines of accelerating climate change. Can’t Stop Change: Queer Climate Stories from the Florida Frontlines follows @queers4climatejustice on a road trip to meet with 14 LGBTQ2S+ artists, organizers, and activists across Florida (and the new Florida diaspora). This feature-length film weaves together queer resistance, joy, and dreams into an intersectional climate justice narrative.
Can’t Stop Change is produced by Queers 4 Climate Justice and fiscally sponsored by the Southern Documentary Fund. The impact campaign is fiscally sponsored by Out for Sustainability.
This event is presented in collaboration with the Humanities Symposium and sponsored by the Center for Humanities.
Free and open to the public.