EcoCinema Cafe at John Jay College

From April 12 through 14, 2016, in the New Building Student Dining Hall, the college will present the 3rd annual  “EcoCinema Cafe” film festival, a joint project of the college’s Sustainability Council, the Sustainability Environmental Justice program and the Environmental Education Fund.   Environmental documentaries will be shown all day interspersed by discussions and short films.  Check out the official film schedule to plan your viewing, or wander in anytime to see what’s on!

Below are a few of the films that will have a Q&A with the filmmaker or person featured in the film?

Shellshocked:  Saving Oysters to Save Ourselves – Wednesday 4/13 at 2:50 Followed by aQ&A with artist Mara Haseltine, featured in the film.  New York Harbor used to be the world’s oyster capital and  provided an income for many freed slaves who became oystermen, until the water became polluted. Oysters clean the water and are a keystone species that many other creatures depend upon to survive.  Now, local artists, environmentalists, students, and scientists are bringing them back!  Hear about their progress.

Artist, Mara Haseltine, who is featured in the film, will be attending to lead a discussion after the film.

Saving Jamaica Bay  (Thursday 4/14 at 9:50 am) followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Dan Hendricks-   For many people, Jamaica Bay is the anonymous body of water we fly over when we go in and out of JFK Airport.  But Jamaica Bay is New York City’s largest open space – it is larger than Central Park, Prospect Park and Van Cortlandt Park combined.  It is home to the only national wildlife refuge in the country (and possibly the world) that is accessible by subway!  It is a surprisingly rich ecosystem that provides vital habitat for hundreds of migratory bird species as well as countless other flora and fauna​

Despite its natural beauty, rich history and immense resources, Jamaica Bay was New York City’s dumping ground for decades. And recently, plans have been announced that could fill in hundreds of acres of Jamaica Bay to build new runways needed to handle future air traffic increases at JFK airport.  Despite this history of adversity and indignity, the Bay’s neighbors — residents of Broad Channel, Breezy Point, Canarsie, Marine Park, the Rockaways and dozens of other Queens and Brooklyn neighborhoods — have developed and continue to nurture a close relationship with the body of water that has defined, provided for and, most recently, threatened their lives and livelihoods.  In the process of re-discovering their historical relationship to the water and natural habitats of Jamaica Bay, local residents have been transformed into urban environmentalists now struggling to preserve this priceless resource…and their way of life.

Filmmaker Dan Hendrick will be attending to lead a discussion following the film!

These are just 2 of the amazing films we are showing in the Student Dining Hall on Tues, Wed and Thurs (April 12-14, 2016)!  Films will be screened starting  at 8 am and going till night so everyone has the opportunity to attend!