Conference on Community Writing and Visiting Filmmakers Series: Roundtable Conversation: Near the River with Ada Vilageliu-Diaz

The roundtable conversation with Kari Fulton, Angela Mahecha, Ada Vilageliu-Diaz will address the making of the film Near the River and the role of women environmental leaders in Washington, DC. The roundtable will focus on the DC-WE project by Ecohermanas that led to the film which documented environmentalism, restorative justice, and community activism in DC.  

Near the River (2014) documents the cultural and environmental heritage of the Anacostia River and its impact on East of the River residents. This documentary focuses on the stories of women eco-leaders and community members about their relationships to the river after years of pollution and environmental neglect. Near the River features women eco-leaders who have redefined environmentalism, community activism, and their relationship with Mother Earth in the District. This film is based on the DC-WE project by Ecohermanas sponsored through a DC Community Heritage Project Grant by Humanities Council of Washington, DC. The film was in the official selection of film festivals in Colombia, Brazil, India, Spain, and the US.