The award-winning film, Chasing Coral, is coming to the big screen at UGA. A free public screening and discussion with filmmakers and key cast members will take place on Wednesday, October 4th at 6 p.m. at the Tate Student Center Theater.
Chasing Coral follows a team of divers, photographers, and scientists as they set out to discover why coral reefs around the world are vanishing at an unprecedented rate. The film features world-renowned coral research conducted at the University of Georgia. Following the screening, a panel discussion will be held with the filmmakers and key film subjects, including Jim Porter, UGA professor and coral ecologist in the Odum School of Ecology, and Zack Rago, the “coral nerd.”
The event is part of a larger project to engage the Athens public about the importance of healthy oceans. During the filmmakers’ visit, local area high schools will participate in field trips to see the film and meet the filmmakers, taking part in educational activities on ecology, marine science, and ocean health.
Financial support for this project comes from Kirbo Charitable Foundation, Reefball Foundation, ECOGIG Research Consortium at UGA’s Department of Marine Sciences, Peabody Media Center, Katherine and Bertis Downs, Odum School of Ecology, and Willson Center for Humanities and Arts. Additional promotional support was provided by UGA’s Speak Out for Species club, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant.
Chasing Coral won the Audience Award for the U.S. Documentary category at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. A trailer for the film can be viewed here.