Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant will air some of this year’s top environmental films at the Jekyll Island Green Screen on Feb. 21 from 4-8 p.m.
The third annual event will highlight a series of films illustrating the interwoven relationships between communities and their natural environments, from across the world to close to home. This year’s feature film, “Angel Azul,” explores the artistic journey of Jason deCaires Taylor, an artist who creates artificial coral reefs with statues cast from live models.
A series of short films also will be shown, followed by poster reception that includes presentations by UGA researchers working on Jekyll Island and throughout the Georgia coast.
“Film is an amazing way to start a dialogue about the environmental challenges facing our planet,” said Jill Gambill, communications director for UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. “The Green Screen takes these globally significant issues and connects them to local research and conservation efforts happening right here in our own back yard in a really fun way.”
“Angel Azul” follows Taylor as his cement statues are installed on the ocean floor in an underwater museum off the coast of Cancun, Mexico. Over time, the statues will become an artificial coral reef unless changing water conditions or suffocating algae blooms interrupt this transformation. Taylor soon learns that both are factors. The film has been screened at numerous international film festivals and was awarded the Best Cinematography prize from the 2014 Bel-Air Film Festival in Los Angeles.
Following the viewing of “Angel Azul,” a panel of experts will discuss the film and answer questions. The films and related activities will take place at the Jekyll Island Convention Center, 75 N. Beachview Dr. The event is free and open to the public.
This event is made possible through support from Georgia Sea Grant, EcoFocus Film Festival, Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve-Coastal Training Program, the Jekyll Island Authority, UGA Marine Extension, UGA Public Service and Outreach, One Hundred Miles, Satilla Riverkeeper, Altamaha Riverkeeper, Coastal Wildscapes, Surfrider Foundation-Atlanta Chapter and Keep Brunswick-Golden Isles Beautiful.
As a courtesy, Jekyll Island hotels are offering discounts for Green Screen attendees through the weekend.
Schedule of events
4-5 p.m.: Short film presentations
5-6 p.m.: Reception and coastal research showcase
6-7:30 p.m.: Feature film, “Angel Azul”
7:30-8 p.m.: Expert panel discussion
To learn more about the third annual Jekyll Island Green Screen, see http://www.jekyllisland.com/event/3rd-annual-jekyll-island-greenscreen/?instance_id=105 or email Ben Carswell at bcarswell@jekyllisland.com.
UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
The University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant are a state and federal partnership dedicated to conducting research, education and outreach to enhance coastal environmental, social and economic sustainability. As units of the Office of Public Service and Outreach at UGA, they help improve public resource policy, encourage far-sighted economic and fisheries decisions, anticipate vulnerabilities to change and educate citizens to be wise stewards of the coastal environment. Georgia Sea Grant is one of 33 Sea Grant programs throughout the country housed under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. For more information, see http://marex.uga.edu or http://georgiaseagrant.uga.edu.
