Chatham-Kent area farmer Blake Vince's farming practices will be highlighted at a Water Docs Film Festival in Chatham. (Photo courtesy of the Chatham Sunrise Rotary Club via Facebook)Chatham-Kent area farmer Blake Vince's farming practices will be highlighted at a Water Docs Film Festival in Chatham. (Photo courtesy of the Chatham Sunrise Rotary Club via Facebook)
Chatham

Water Conservation On Display At Chatham Film Festival

A Toronto-based documentary film festival that focuses on water is coming to Chatham next week.

The two-day festival will feature a series of short films on Friday, January 19 that were produced by the local Rotary Club of Chatham Sunrise covering topics including: Conserving Water in an Institution, Protecting Water in Urban Areas, and Conserving Water in Agriculture.

Local farmer, Blake Vince, will also be demonstrating how the Thames River's turbidity can clear itself and how cover crops can be used to reduce the amount of nutrient run-off into the river.

John Lawrence, the Chair of the Clean Water For Living Committee for the Rotary Club of Chatham Sunrise, says the festival, which is being presented in partnership with Ecologos out of Toronto, is a first for the local club.

"These films are to create awareness of water issues and hopefully people will respond and try to protect our water systems," says Lawrence, adding there will be some practical take-away ideas as well. "We all have a role to play in trying to protect our water, whether it's a business, a home, or an institution."

The local documentaries will be showed at Villa Angela on Merici Way in Chatham starting at 7pm Friday. At that time, the group will also be showing the Canadian short feature film, The Canoe.

Then, at 7pm on Saturday, January 20, the group will be screening RiverBlue, which chronicles an around-the-world world river adventure, led by renowned conservationist Mark Angelo, who documents "the dark side of the global fashion industry" and how we can manufacture clothign in a more sustainable manner.

Admission is free for both nights of the film festival, but donations will be accepted to support the work of Ecologos. The doors open at 6:30pm on both nights.

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