Ben Kalina’s “Plan C for Civilization” to World Premiere at DOC NYC

Plan-C-for-CivilizationAward-winning filmmaker Ben Kalina (Shored Up, Can We Cool the Planet?) returns with Plan C for Civilization, a riveting new documentary that confronts one of the most controversial ideas in climate science: solar geoengineering. The film will make its world premiere at DOC NYC on Thursday, November 13 (6:30 p.m.) and Saturday, November 15 (1:00 p.m.) at Village East by Angelika, with an online screening available from November 14 to 30.

In Plan C for Civilization, physicist David Keith explores whether reflecting sunlight back into space could cool the planet and buy humanity time against climate catastrophe. But his early experiments spark fierce global debate, inspiring rogue start-ups like Make Sunsets, whose DIY launches raise urgent questions about science, ethics, and control in a warming world.

Kalina captures this unfolding tension across continents, examining the promise and peril of manipulating Earth’s atmosphere as climate solutions falter. “If we value the ecosystems and humanity of this planet,” Kalina says, “how could we ignore any tool with so much power to cool the planet, quickly?”

Produced by Mangrove Media, the film continues Kalina’s exploration of humanity’s uneasy relationship with nature, following his acclaimed documentaries on climate and coastal resilience.

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“The Art of Adventure” Doc on Robert Bateman to World Premiere at Vancouver International Film Festival

the-art-of-adventureAlison Reid’s new documentary The Art of Adventure will make its world premiere at the 2025 Vancouver International Film Festival. The feature follows acclaimed Canadian wildlife painter Robert Bateman and biologist Bristol Foster, revisiting their 1957 global expedition and decades of work at the intersection of art and environmental activism.

Screenings are set for October 5 at the Vancouver Playhouse and October 7 at the Granville Island Stage, with Reid, Bateman, and Foster scheduled to attend.

The film traces Bateman and Foster’s early journey in their Land Rover, “The Grizzly Torque,” across Africa and Asia, weaving in Bristol’s original 16mm footage and Bateman’s paintings. It also explores their lasting impact as artists, naturalists, and advocates for conservation.

The Art of Adventure is directed and produced by Reid, whose credits include The Woman Who Loves Giraffes. The film also features appearances by Wade Davis, David Suzuki, Guujaaw, Briony Penn, and others.

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Documentary Highlights Wildlife and Water Challenges in the American Southwest

The official trailer has been released for The American Southwest, a visually rich documentary from Fin and Fur Films and NativesOutdoors, narrated by climate advocate and model Quannah ChasingHorse. The film takes audiences on a journey along the Colorado River, capturing the landscapes, wildlife, and human connections that define the region, while addressing urgent challenges like water scarcity, habitat loss, and climate change.

Directed by Ben Masters (The River and the Wall, Deep in the Heart), the documentary follows the river from its headwaters to its delta, featuring species such as beavers, elk, and jaguars alongside the stories of those who have lived with and stewarded the river for generations. The project was developed in collaboration with NativesOutdoors and producer Len Necefer, Ph.D., ensuring cultural and ecological perspectives are central to the narrative.

The film opens September 5, 2025, in both commercial and independent theaters across Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, California, Texas, and Colorado. Select screenings will include community events, educational programs, and Q&As with conservationists and Indigenous leaders. A digital release will follow later in the fall.

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