Based in India, ALT EFF Curations brings together powerful environmental stories from across the globe, creating thematic programmes that connect global and local perspectives and spark conversations in new communities.

This special selection explores the rich interconnections between soil, food, and agriculture, weaving together documentaries, fiction, short films and animations that celebrate the vitality of the earth beneath our feet, reveal the struggles and innovations of those who grow our food, and invite us to re-imagine our relationship with land and nourishment.

1. The Farm Under the City (Brett Chapman, Jordan Carroll / UK / 10 mins / English / 2022)

Luke Ellis is a builder-turned-farmer that has set up an innovative new business in the heart of Sheffield’s industrial quarter. Leaf + Shoot is an underground vertical bioponic farm built in a disused spring factory. His closed loop system takes the food waste from local restaurants, cafés and businesses in his community and uses organic cycling methods including worm farms and hot composting to grow micro-herbs and vegetables beneath the streets of Sheffield. We follow Luke on his inspirational journey to revolutionise the way we all think about urban farming.

2. The Sprayer (Farnoosh Abedi | Iran | 9 mins | 2022)

LANGUAGE: No Dialogue (animation)

In a land contaminated and occupied by the Sprayers army, no one has the right to grow any kind of plants either in public or private. To do so is considered a seditious act punishable by death. So many of the people and soldiers do not even know what a plant looks like or how it grows. Then one day one of the soldiers finds a seed buried deep down in the dust and his curiosity begins something extraordinary, something big, something revolutionary.

3. Akunthit (Rahul Barman / India / 15 mins 59 secs / Assamese / 2023)

Gopal Nag from Chandamari village in Assam, who lost his lower limbs in a 2014 accident, turned to sustainable farming with his mother’s support. His journey from despair to purpose highlights his resilience and determination. Now, Nag advocates for the disabled to see themselves as specially abled and seek independence, promoting empowerment through equality rather than charity.

4. Seasons (Gabriella Canal, Michael Fearon / USA / 21 mins 46 secs / English, Korean, Spanish / 2021)

A matriarchal Korean family farm navigates an uncertain future. Nevia No is a classically trained performer who runs Bodhitree Farm in Pemberton, New Jersey. Nevia struggles to maintain equilibrium on the farm and provide for her farmhands, mother and adult daughter, Euni. Euni is ambivalent about farming, but during the pandemic, she returns back home to help her mother. Nevia dreams that a season of farming will persuade her daughter to take over the family business, but Euni may have dreams of her own.

This film screening is presented by County Carlow Environmental Network and VISUAL curated by the India based All Living Things Environmental Film Festival.

Visit: https://ccen.ie/ to build community in Carlow and find out more.

Tickets are free but must be booked. They can be booked online, in person or over the phone at Box Office. Wheelchair users and any group over 8 persons should book tickets directly through Box Office. If you book a ticket and cannot attend, please let us know at your earliest convenience so someone else can avail of the ticket. Further Terms and Conditions can be found at visualcarlow.ie/visit/booking-information.