By Ana Garcia Doyle
Editor’s note: The United Nations Association-Greater Chicago Chapter (UNA-Chicago) honored One Earth Film Fest, among others, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at International House on the University of Chicago Campus. Before accepting the award, Festival Director Ana Garcia-Doyle was asked to write about herself and the festival in 250 words for possible inclusion that evening. Her text is below.
About One Earth Film Fest
This Spring, One Earth Film Festival hosted 70 screenings and events and partnered once again with the City of Chicago on an official Earth Day mini film fest. Both events series' reached almost 7,000 people in 5 counties of the Chicago region. One Earth has touched over 28,000 attendees since its inception in 2012, through a unique model of utilizing environmental films and facilitated discussion to educate, raise awareness, and inspire the adoption of solution-oriented sustainable actions.
The Festival is working at the nexus of ecology and equity, and has been intentional about addressing these and myriad other topics that intersect with environment. With special missions for engaging youth and new, diverse, and hard-to-reach audiences -- the Festival's Young Filmmakers Contest is once again open to young filmmakers across the country, and its venues will once again include screenings and events from Hyde Park to Oak Park, from Uptown to Englewood, and from Cook County to Kane County. Learn about One Earth Film Fest and get involved at oneearthfilmfest.org.
About Ana Garcia Doyle, Founding Executive Director - One Earth Film Festival
Ana believes there is no time like the present to focus on the future of our planet and of generations to come. As a founding member and Executive Director of the One Earth Film Festival ("Moving Planet, Moving People"), she is thrilled to be working with an amazing team as it enters its 9th year. Ana has been a TEDx speaker and has spent more than 20 years in digital publishing, marketing, and strategy. An active leader in the zero waste schools initiative in Oak Park’s District 97, Ana speaks professionally on topics of sustainability, is a LEED Gold-certified green homeowner together with her husband Jim, and is proud mama to 3 sharp, sweet young greenies.