6th Annual Peace on Earth Film Festival

6th Annual Peace on Earth Film Festival

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The 6th Annual Peace on Earth Film Festival showcases a captivating exploration of film in the areas of nonviolence, tolerance and social justice, with all screenings free and open to the public.

Each day offers something different!

Get the full line up here.

The Thursday, March 6, Opening Night program, emceed by “Worldview” host Jerome McDonnell, will focus on Peace in the Middle East, with two feature films making their Midwest premieres. Palestinian-Israeli feature Under the Same Sun tells the story of two businessmen — one Palestinian and one Israeli — who struggle to set up a solar energy company. Executive producer John Marks will conduct a post-show Q&A.  The documentary Partners for Peace follows a delegation of American and Canadian women on a journey to Israel and Palestine. Director Ed Kucerak and three delegates will be in attendance. 

This year’s lineup includes World Premieres of feature documentaries The Ghosts of Jeju and From Spokane With Love, the U.S. Premiere of Britain’s A Step Too Far?, and the Chicago Premiere of GMO OMG, all with the filmmakers in attendance. The roster also includes two enlightening Fukushima pieces (food feature Tokyo’s Belly and spiritual short Reactor), and 2014 Oscar nominee (and, perhaps, winner) Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall by local filmmaker Edgar Barens. 

Audiences will have a chance to engage with visiting artists during a Filmmakers Panel on Saturday afternoon and talk with participants at the Peacemakers Panel on Sunday afternoon. A Student Filmmaker Showcase takes place Saturday morning.

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Started in 2008, POEFF has been an annual event shining a light on filmmakers’ challenging perspectives regarding issues such as human rights, neighborhood violence, food deserts, domestic violence, bullying, war, world politics, environment, economics and more. The festival strives to put Chicago at the forefront of international efforts for peace and environmental recoveries, while bringing together filmmakers, academics and social activists in discussion panels and educational components. 

Learn more here.