Elemental Impact supports the Florida Environmental Film Festival

As 2023 came to a close, Elemental Impact (Ei) Founder & CEO Holly Elmore accepted Florida Environmental Film Festival (FEFF) Founder & President Elizabeth Pickett Gray's invitation to serve on the FEFF Advisory Board. What an honor!

Ten Thousand Islands 
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

The FEFF mission is to present environmental films and educational events that advocate for broadening our knowledge of environmental issues impacting Florida.

As a third generation Floridian, Elizabeth experienced first hand the native, wild Florida when waterways were pristine, wildlife flourished on the ranch lands and other untamed areas, and the Gulf beaches teamed with shoreline birds, crabs, and other natural inhabitants. Over the past decades, Florida gained popularity as a vacation destination as well as a retirement haven for full-time residents as well snow birds, those who reside in Florida only during the winter months; subsequently, commercial and residential development escalated, often causing the demise of fragile ecosystems.

With her cinematic experience, Elizabeth understands how to harness the power of film to educate on challenging scenarios and inspire individual and collective action. In her own words,

Big Cypress National Preserve
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

“I grew up when the Gulf of Mexico smelled like an ocean, backwoods waters ran clean and clear, and the sound of sweet wildlife rang in my ears. Coming home, I found worsening conditions of red tide, spills of phosphate, dead fish on the water’s edge, spring waters polluted, our precious ranch lands being sold, our beautiful wildlife starving, with nowhere to go… We are now at a pivotal moment in time in Florida. We are the last generation that can change the damage being done to our great state before it’s too late…

I surround myself with people who are brilliant and passionate about the environment, and I bring them together to collaborate and create synergistic solutions to problems we face. Together, we make things happen. I’m sort of like the wizard of OZ, I’m the person behind the curtain.”

Sarasota public beach path
photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images

Though originally an in-person event, during the COVID pandemic the FEFF segued into a virtual semi-annual festival and continues successfully to host films within a festival format online. Films are followed by panel discussions with ecologists, environmental advocates, and filmmakers along with a question and answer opportunity for the audience. Beyond environmental education, attendees learn how they may volunteer or take other action to address challenges showcased by the film.

The next virtual film festival is scheduled for Friday, February 2 through Sunday, February 11.

In addition to film screenings, the FEFF is active within five project areas:

1. Films with Homeowner Associations supported by discussion and question & answer sessions.
2. Field Trips that showcase how Florida biodiversity works.
3. Volunteer Testing Waters in partnership with the Florida Lakewatch.
4. Land & Watershed Cleanups.
5. Book Circle Conversations.

Holly is excited to bring Ei's experience and expertise to the FEFF Advisory Board and contribute to environmental education on current challenges as well as solutions.