Local Food Film Festival Scheduled for January 24

[January 16, 2015]  A film festival for everyone interested in learning about and supporting local food systems is planned for Saturday, January 24, 2015 in Foundation Hall at the Old State Capitol (Level 2), 1 Southwest Old State Capitol Plaza, in Springfield, Ill. from 2:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Slow Food Springfield, University of Illinois Extension, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, Old State Capitol Foundation and Grow Springfield are partnering to present the 7th Annual Slow Food Springfield Film Festival. “These films tell the stories behind our food and can increase awareness and interest in our food system," says Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator, University of Illinois Extension and chair for the festival.

The festival will feature two films, Flow: For Love of Water and Growing Cities: A Film About Urban Farming in America as well as the Top 10 Finalist Shorts from the 2014 Real Food Media Contest.

A brief discussion will follow each of the films and Grow Springfield, a newly formed network of urban growers, will provide a short presentation (following Growing Cities) on community gardening and urban agriculture within Springfield and ways for more community members to become involved.

Admission fee required with discounts available for Slow Food Springfield members.  Students with a student ID are free. “We’re pleased to announce that this year refreshments and dinner will be provided by Bear Creek Farm & Ranch for purchase during the festival,” says Ann Hamilton, chapter leader for Slow Food Springfield. More information is available at http://web.extension
.illinois.edu/lms/  (go to Find Events) or contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Extension Educator, Local Foods System and Small Farms at 217-782-4617, [e-mail].

[Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant]