MIDDLEBURY — The Marquis Theater in Middlebury will host SunCommon’s first ever Climate Action Film Festival (CAFF) on Wednesday, Feb. 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Middlebury showing is one of four screenings to be held in Vermont and New York. It is the first festival of its kind to exclusively feature storytelling around solutions rather than simply the impacts of climate change. 
The festival will also visit Bristol on Thursday, Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m. at the Bristol Fire Station. 
“There is power in storytelling, it can change minds, inspire action and create unity,” says Patrick McCormack, Storyteller at SunCommon and CAFF Creative Director. “SunCommon has always had a foundation in storytelling but we realize that our small voice is unmatched for the crisis we’re facing. Through CAFF, we are uniting other voices with a shared mission to inspire and affect change.” 
The festival kicks-off with a marquee screening event at Main Street Landing in Burlington, on Feb. 6, at 5:30 p.m., and travels to Middlebury the following week. Tickets are available in advance at ClimateActionFilmFestival. com. The cost is a “pay what you can” donation. Seats are limited. All proceeds go to support the Vermont Youth Lobby and Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) – two organizations that SunCommon works closely with to influence climate action policy decisions, at the state level in Vermont. Information on additional screenings is below. 
“We’re facing an unprecedented climate crisis and we cannot rely on one solution,” says James Moore, Co-Founder of SunCommon. “We created CAFF as a way to celebrate the diversity in the climate action movement to show people that actions big and small make an impact.” 
Festival organizers reviewed over 225 submissions, and selected the below films to be included in the festival. 
FEATURED FILMS 
“#NatureNow” A film featuring Greta Thunberg. The risk of climate breakdown is real, but it can be reduced if we protect, restore and fund natural climate solutions. 
“Rise: From One Island To Another” Two indigenous poets — one from the Marshall Islands and another from Greenland — meet at the source of our rising seas to share a moment of solidarity. 
“Valve Turners” On Oct. 11, 2016, in solidarity with Standing Rock and in response to the climate emergency, a team of activists took direct action, shutting off the five pipelines carrying tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada into the United States, Approximately 2.8 million barrels of crude oil (15% of daily U.S. consumption) was disrupted, leading Reuters to call it, “the biggest coordinated move on U.S. energy infrastructure ever undertaken by environmental protesters.” 
“Water Warriors” The story of a community’s resistance against the oil and natural gas industry. When an energy company began searching for natural gas in New Brunswick, Canada, indigenous and white families united to drive out the company in a campaign to protect their water and way of life. 
“Keeping Carbon” Explores efforts by Hudson Valley farmers to keep carbon in the ground with regenerative farming methods. 
“Words Have Power” The story of Jaysa, a 13-year old girl from Bridgeport, Conn., who speaks out at public hearings and helps catalyze the opposition to the coal-fired power plant that is causing her asthma. She addresses environmental racism in her community and reflects on the power a single voice can have on creating positive change. 
“Blue Carbon” Blue carbon is carbon that’s captured and stored by coastal wetlands, and helps to mitigate climate change. A film about mud and the multiple benefits that estuaries provide for us. Set in the Snohomish estuary, this film helps to build awareness of blue carbon as a climate mitigation tool and to encourage more investment in wetland restoration at local, state and federal levels. 
“Naturally Selected” A film about Environmentalist Sam Van Leer and his mission to save Miami from drowning 
“Extinction Rebellion – Times Square Takeover” Extinction Rebellion NYC staged a demonstration in the middle of a Times Square intersection in an effort to disrupt “business as usual” and draw attention to the climate crisis. 
Audiences will vote for Audience Choice Award winner, which will be announced in late February.