Whole Foods Launches a Film Festival

by Nanette Maxim, Posted Mar 17th 2011 @ 3:00PM

Video Still from the film Urban Roots, Do Something Reel

Starting April 1, you can catch Juno's Ellen Page trading in her Hard Candy routine to narrate Vanishing of the Bees. No, it's not a sequel to horror flick Black Swarm; it's an intriguing documentary about the disappearance of the insects that pollinate most of our crops. And it's one of six films collected and being shown as part of the Whole Foods Do Something Reel Film Festival, presented in 70 cities across the country to celebrate Earth Month. (Did we even know that April was Earth Month, in addition to Earth Day, on the 22nd?)

"Through our [ ...] Do Something Reel Film Festival we want to raise awareness of environmental and food issues, and support filmmakers who are creating films that inspire people to question the impact our choices have on our health, body and environment," said Walter Robb, co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, in a company press release. Ticket proceeds from the fest are going towards a grant program for filmmakers who want to go green in their art.

Among the "Do Something" films is Mark MacInnis's Urban Roots, a close-up of Motor City residents trying to grow it for themselves in the concrete jungle. Suzan Beraza's Bag It! follows an anti-plastics crusader, and Shelley Lee Davis and Or Shlomi's PLANEAT takes a hard look at our love affair with meat and dairy, through the eyes of scientists, farmers, and chefs.

See what's playing and where to catch the Do Something Reel Film Festival.

Hungry for news about fast food, slow food, food politics, food personalities, and food controversies? Then sign up for our weekly newsletter. Plus, be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

Filed Under: Events, Chain Stores / Restaurants
Tags: Do Something Reel Film Festival, whole foods