BIFF’s Environmental Film Focus Series Presents  

BIFF’s Environmental Film Focus Series Presents  

THE STORY OF PLASTIC Hosted at Simon’s Rock

Great Barrington, MA—The Berkshire International Film Festival is presenting the must-see documentary, THE STORY OF PLASTIC as part of the third annual Environmental Film series at Simon’s Rock College. All screenings are held in the Daniel Arts Center at Simon’s Rock.

The series, which highlights timely environmental films, is intended to “show how a few people can have an impact on the environment in a very big way” says Kelley Vickery, founder and artistic director of the festival. Last month, the series presented THE POLLINATORS to a packed house followed by a lively panel discussion.  This month on Sunday, March 8 at 3PM, BIFF will present THE STORY OF PLASTIC, directed by Deia Schlosberg. The STORY OF PLASTIC is a seething exposé uncovering the ugly truth behind the current global plastic pollution crisis. Striking footage shot over three continents illustrates the ongoing catastrophe: fields of garbage, veritable mountains of trash, rivers and seas clogged with waste,and skies choked with the poisonous runoff from plastic production and recycling processes with no end in sight. Original animations, interviews with experts and activists, and never-before-filmed scenes reveal the disastrous consequences of the flood of plastic smothering ecosystems and poisoning communities around the world—and the global movement rising up in response. Joining Lillian Lennox for a panel discussion immediately following the film are Jane Wynn and Rose Wessell.

Rose Wessell: In February 2014, Rosemary Wessel co-founded No Fracked Gas in Mass, a website, information and action-plan clearinghouse for activists opposing fracked gas infrastructure development in the Northeast. Connecting and advising community activists on pipeline infrastructure and impacts, resistance through the project approval process and reducing demand through efficiency and renewables, No Fracked Gas in Mass has helped pipeline fighters in New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut. No Fracked Gas in Mass is a project of Berkshire Environmental Action Team. Rosemary also manages her own design firm, Three Salamanders Design Studio, and consults on clean energy applications for Old Stone Mill Center for Arts & Creative Engineering in Adams, MA, a zero-waste maker-space that has vowed to remain fossil fuel free in its development.

Jane Wynn:  Wynn is one of the founders back in 2003 of Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT). She now serves as Executive Director with a 5 person staff.  Jane grew up on the banks of the Housatonic River when it is was very polluted, a fact that may have helped spur her to a life of environmental advocacy. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a masters in zoology.  Jane makes sure that BEAT’s work is grounded in science while working to protect the environment for wildlife in support of the natural world that sustains us all.

Tickets are $10 for the general public and may be purchased online at www.biffma.org or at the door on the day of the event. For more information, call the BIFF office at 413-528-8030.  These events are free to BIFF REEL Friends and to Simon’s Rock students and faculty.

This series has been made possible through the generous support of Lillian Lennox and J. Gregory Whitehead. 

The Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) is a world-class festival and an integral part of the cultural fabric of the Berkshires. During its annual three-day festival, BIFF showcases the latest in independent feature, documentary, short, and family films as well as lively panel discussions and special events focusing on filmmakers and talented artists from both sides of the camera. BIFF also hosts year-round screenings and opportunities for film lovers to get together.

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Contact: Kelley Vickery, founder and artistic director (413) 281-9118. kelley@biffma.org