Don’t miss the FREE world premiere screening of the 2022 Southern Exposure films—Sept. 30

Attend an inspiring evening full of meaningful discussion and visually stunning films at the world premiere screening of the 2022 Southern Exposure films on Friday, September 30 at Altamont School in Birmingham. Read on to meet the filmmakers, learn about the films and see details for additional screenings across the state.

About the event

Southern Exposure films raise awareness about Alabama’s incredible natural resources and important environmental issues that impact all of us.

“We are so thrilled to be back in person this Friday evening with our partners across Alabama for the world premiere of these films! We can’t wait to share them and celebrate the special people and places of Alabama. We are especially looking forward to the Q&A and discussion after the films, where we can engage the audience in ways to take action toward solving environmental challenges and help connect them to ways they can truly make a difference for Alabama’s water, land, air and people.”

Cindy Lowry, Executive Director, Alabama Rivers Alliance

These unique films are created in six weeks during the summer through the Southern Exposure fellowship, which brings together emerging filmmakers from across the country to tell authentic, engaging stories through short documentary films about Alabama’s environment.

Through this year’s film collection, you’ll explore:

• Who is winning at the game of electric utility monopoly and how simple legislation and more civic engagement could create more renewable energy choices for Alabamians.
• A visually stunning journey through climate-induced extreme flooding events and learn how they are compounding the historic challenges of racism and underinvestment in two communities.
• Black environmentalists who are shaping the modern movement in Alabama and providing long overdue awareness of the roots of the work.
• The critical importance of protecting our drinking water sources through the lens of community advocates as they hold their water utility accountable.

What’s premiering?

Our 100 Year Floods

• Directed by: Fernando Rocha
• Synopsis: Through the voices of community members in Birmingham and Gadsden, this visual exploration captures the struggles of families and homeowners impacted by decades of flooding.

See Me In Nature

• Directed by: Asia Singleton
• Synopsis: Meet a few of Alabama’s Black environmental leaders, activists and historians who are currently shaping their community and providing long overdue awareness of the roots of the work.

Taxing The Sun

• Directed by: Gillian Harrill
• Synopsis: Taxing the Sun explores the question: Why are our neighboring states so far ahead of Alabama when it comes to renewable energy? A few simple policy changes could remove existing barriers and voilà! Alabamians could have more options when it comes to where their electricity comes from.

What About the Drinking Water?

• Directed by: Tiffany Westry Womack
• Synopsis: This film highlights the important responsibility of water utilities in balancing the continued need for revenue with the long-range protection of drinking water sources and the role of river advocates and ratepayers in holding them accountable.

Meet the filmmakers

• Fernando Rocha is a Cinematographer based out of both the US East Coast and Mexico City. He graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. and supplemented his studies at both the USC School of Cinematic Arts in LA and FAMU in Prague, Czech Republic.

• Asia Singleton is an award-winning filmmaker from Chicago. Her journalism and documentary filmmaking has received recognition from the Iowa Motion Picture Association, Midwest Broadcast Journalist Association, and Iowa College Media Association. Her passion for storytelling stems from bringing awareness to social justice issues.

• Gillian Harrill is a graduate of Cornell University with a BS in Communication and a lifelong passion for storytelling. Her 2022 surrealist comedy PICTURE AT AN EXHIBITION was selected for the LA Independent Women Film Awards. She gravitates toward film as a multi-sensory catalyst for change.

• Tiffany Westry Womack is an alumnus of the University of Montevallo and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her passion for storytelling through video intersects with the areas of Black history and environmentalism, outdoor recreation and environmental justice.

“These four filmmakers worked so incredibly hard all summer with communities and organizations to tell stories that need to be heard. I am always in awe of a film fellow’s work with this unique program under the time constraints and other pressures, but even more so this year as these filmmakers tackled very wonky, complicated and sometimes painful issues. These thought-provoking films will educate and inspire, with a few laughs along the way!”

Kelly Marshall, Impact Producer, Southern Exposure Films

Alabama Rivers Alliance would also like to extend their sincere thanks to Bob McKenna and Clubhouse on Highland for housing the film fellows while they lived in Alabama creating these films.

See the 2022 films near you

Ready to celebrate these talented change-making filmmakers and their work? Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in unique perspectives on Alabama’s people and environment:

Birmingham- World Premiere

• When: Friday, September 30 
  • 5:30-6PM: Celebration reception with beer, wine, lemonade and snacks. Mix & mingle with ARA’s partner organizations and meet the filmmakers.
  • 6:30PM: Films begin with audience Q&A with the filmmakers and local experts to follow
  • ~8:30PM: After-party celebration at Rojo!
• Where: The Altamont School, 4801 Altamont Rd S, Birmingham, AL 35222

Montevallo

• When: Monday, October 24
  • 6-8PM with discussion to follow
• Where: University of Montevallo, Room number TBD, 75 College Dr, Montevallo, AL 35115

Mobile Bay Area

• When: Tuesday, November 1
  • 5:30PM- Snacks and networking
  • 6PM- Films begin
• Where: 5 Rivers Delta Center, 30945 5 Rivers Blvd, Spanish Fort

Montgomery

• When: Thursday, November 17
  • 6-8PM
• Where: The Capri Theatre, 1045 East Fairview Avenue

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