This virtual online film series–Youth Rising Film Fest–is made possible by a grant from Working Films to bring educational films to rural communities. This film series seeks to inspire North Fork Valley and Western Slope youth to engage in the climate action movement to protect our vital local ecosystems and ensure that they have a thriving, healthful, and promising future.

There is a community of youth across the world dedicated to demanding that decision makers take climate action now—to address drought, wildfires, extreme weather, environmentally induced illness from air and water pollution, ecological degradation which compromises our life support systems– so that the future burdens and impacts of inaction do not become solely the responsibility of today’s young people. The empowering stories presented in these films emphasize the power that youth have in constructing the future they want to live in. Through the Youth Rising Film Fest we aspire to unite and grow an intergenerational climate movement, while emphasizing to all youth that their voices matter and their involvement can make a difference. We hope these films inspire all of us to take action on issues that impact the future of our communities and planet. We are proud to partner with Working Films and the Can Your Hear Us? Campaign on this film series.

Each film will be screened online only once at 7pm MTN on the given date. A link for joining the films will be shared following registration. Each film will be accompanied by a discussion. Please join us for this empowering and very important film series.

Film #1: Youth Unstoppable

YOUTH UNSTOPPABLE takes us inside the rise of the Global Youth Climate Movement. Slater Jewell-Kemker was 15 when she began documenting the untold stories of youth on the front lines of climate change refusing to let their futures slip away. Over the course of 12 years and set against stunning visuals of a communities in crisis, YOUTH UNSTOPPABLE follows the evolution of a diverse network of youth rising up to shape the world they will live in. View trailer.

Following the film will be a lively community discussion with the film makers Slater Jewell Kemker and Wendy Jewell, and Christine Berg, Senior Policy Advisor for Local Government for the Colorado Energy Office.

April 14, 2021: Single Online Screening at 7pm MTN

Film #2: I am GRETA

I am GRETA is the story of teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg. This intimate documentary from Swedish director Nathan Grossman tells her story through compelling, never-before-seen footage. Starting with her one-person school strike for climate action outside the Swedish Parliament, Grossman follows Greta—a shy student with Asperger’s—in her rise to prominence and her galvanizing global impact as she sparks school strikes around the world. The film culminates with her extraordinary wind-powered voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to speak at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York City. View trailer.

May 12, 2021: Single Online Screening at 7pm MTN

Film #3: Youth v. Gov

YOUTH v GOV is the story of America’s youth taking on the world’s most powerful government. Since 2015, twenty-one plaintiffs, now ages 13 to 24, have been suing the U.S. government for violating their constitutional rights to life, liberty, personal safety, and property through their willful actions in creating the climate crisis they will inherit. This is the story of empowered youth finding their voices and fighting to protect their rights and our collective future. View trailer.

June 9, 2021: Single Online Screening at 7pm MTN