A film that helped build support for funding a key conservation initiative, the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act, has a local screening at a critical moment. The National Geographic documentary, Path of the Panther, documents efforts to protect the endangered Florida panther as development pressures and habitat fragmentation erode the wild spaces it needs to survive. The landmark corridor act was created to protect an 18 million-acre network of green spaces, farmland and wildlife habitats, but funding cuts by state lawmakers this past legislative session reduced Florida Forever funding from $229 million to $18 million, despite a state law requiring minimum funding of $100 million annually. We talk to the film’s producer ahead of a screening on Tuesday at St. John’s Cathedral. The event begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and the film begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Q&A session with Tori Linder, moderated by the Rev. Kate Moorehead Carroll, dean of St. John's Cathedral.
Guest: Tori Linder, conservationist, producer, Path of the Panther
Dark arts
An artist translating the science of biology into the language of art discusses working the line between research and creation in two upcoming talks. Environmental researcher, visual artist and Crisp-Ellert Art Museum’s new Artist-in-Residence Dr. Brandon Ballengée uses the discipline of the scientific method to create illuminating and sobering works of art, be it an exhibition documenting the often fatal journey of thousands of migratory birds or his sculptural depiction of species harmed by the Deepwater Horizon spill — a pyramid of jars containing 26,162 specimens of preserved fish and other aquatic life. Ballengée joined Flagler College faculty for a discussion on Thursday at Ringhaver Student Center, and will host a workshop titled Fishes: Masters of Adaptation, at the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Both events are free, but registration is required.
Guest: Brandon Ballengée, biologist and visual artist
Scream play
From Donnie Darko to the Hungarian experimental animation Habfürdő, a pop-up cinema club is resurrecting cult classics and arthouse films. In addition to film screenings, Video Ghosts purveys physical media like vintage VHS tapes and Blu-ray discs from boutique film distributors. The club’s next feature is Dario Argento's Deep Red, a 1975 Italian thriller about a pianist turned murder investigator. The screening starts at 8 p.m. Sept. 22 at The Albatross in Downtown Jacksonville.
Guest: Gage Hogsten, owner, Video Ghosts
Topics and guests subject to change.