Be the Change Film Series kicks off May 31
The Be the Change Film Series (BTC) https://bethechangefilmseries.com has kept the people of Collingwood/Blue Mountains enthralled for 14 years. The Blue Mountain Watershed Trust, our area’s leading environmental charity, runs the film series as a friend- and fund-raising effort.
Like last year, showings are outdoors on the Beer Garden lawn at The Collingwood Brewery, 10 Sanford Fleming Drive. Show times will change with the sunset; the first movie, To the Orcas, With Love, kicks off this Tuesday, May 31st at 9:00pm. Attendees must dress for the weather and are asked to bring a chair or a blanket, as picnic tables are limited.
The 14th season promises to be a great one, extending from end of May into October, 2022. BTC’s environmentally- and socially-conscious movies are a big hit with many demographics: children, families, couples and retirees.
“Our attendees have changed since we moved outdoors to the Brewery,” observes Kathleen Knoll, who leads the BTC film series for the Watershed Trust. “We definitely skewed older pre-pandemic at the Simcoe Street Theatre, but being outside we now have families and more young people in addition to our diehard supporters,” she says. Of course, being at the Collingwood Brewery you have the option of enjoying a beer, a cider and other refreshments with and without alcohol. Just don’t forget to bring something to sit on!”
A bicycle-friendly location
Knoll points out that the Brewery is easily accessible via the Collingwood Trails, which fits right in with this season’s fourth movie, Motherload. “I expect to see lots of bikes!” laughs Knoll.
An incredible line-up of family-friendly films
This year’s film line-up is stellar, with something for everyone. BTC is a family-friendly event, at $12 for adults, $7 for students and children are free. The first movie, To the Orcas, With Love, is full of stories of personal connections with orcas, beautiful cinematography featuring B.C’s resident orcas, and an evocative soundscape. It’s inspired by elders including environmentalist David Suzuki, whale researchers Alexandra Morton and Paul Spong and totem carver Wayne Alfred. It invites us to rise up and create the world we dream for ourselves. Find this season’s lineup of films (thus far), tickets and show details at https://bethechangefilmseries.com.
WIN!
May 31st only: BTC attendees have a chance to win a 6-pack of tickets to the Blue Mountain Film Festival, June 2nd to 5th!
Seeking sponsors
BTC seeks sponsorship from organizations that espouse socially and environmentally progressive values, such as the Series’ title sponsor, RE/MAX Four Seasons Realty. While many BTC sponsors have signed on for Season 14, a few longstanding sponsors have left the flock. BTC’s many other sponsors include the likes of Conscious Water, Rockside Campbell Design, Anytime Fitness, Canopy Media and The Collingwood Foundry. “It’s such great exposure—such a good marketing decision for local businesses,” observes Knoll. Sponsorship starts at $100. Interested businesses are encouraged to get in touch.
Proceeds from BTC benefit local environmental education programs organized by The Blue Mountain Watershed Trust, a Collingwood-based environment-focused charity entering its 27thyear.
The BTC Film Series is designed to unite the Collingwood and surrounding communities around a variety of environment-centric issues. Provocative, carefully chosen films are selected around themes such as growing food sustainably, resource extraction and climate change.
The BTC Film Series was created in 2008 to educate and inspire the local Collingwood/Blue Mountains community into action. The Blue Mountain Watershed Trust Foundation is working together along with other community partners to provide the audience with a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of some of the most important ecological and social justice issues facing our local area and the communities of planet Earth. For more information, please contact Kathleen Knoll at 705-446-1580 kathknoll@gmail.com.
