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About the Film

AN EARTH VISION FILM PRODUCTION in association with EARTH VISION INSTITUTE

We humans are a force of nature. At the same time human activities alter the basic elements of life – earth, air, water, and fire – those elements change human life.

In an arresting new documentary from the producers of RACING EXTINCTION, THE COVE and CHASING ICE, environmental photographer James Balog captures the lives of everyday Americans on the front lines of climate change. With rare compassion and heart, THE HUMAN ELEMENT inspires us to reevaluate our relationship with the natural world. OUT NOW.

SF Film Festival
Boulder International Film Festival
SCAD Savannah Film Festival
Mountainfilm
Earthx Film
Newport Beach Film Festival
Port Townsend Film Festival
San Francisco Green Film Festival
Woods Hole Film Festival
Berkshire International Film Festival
Flyover Film Festival
Waimea Ocean Film Festival
Wild and Scenic Film Festival
Impact Doc Awards
Louisville International Festival of Film

—AWARDS—

AreDay 2018 Impact Film

EarthXFilm 2018 Catalyst Award

Colorado Film & Video Association 2019 Best Documentary

Newport Beach Film Festival 2018 Best Environmental Documentary

2019 Novim Epiphany Award for Science Awareness at Stanford University

Philadelphia Environmental Film Festival 2019 Best Feature Film

SCAD Savannah Film Festival 2018 Best Documentary

—AWARDS—

AreDay 2018 Impact Film

EarthXFilm 2018 Catalyst Award

Colorado Film & Video Association 2019 Best Documentary

Newport Beach Film Festival 2018 Best Environmental Documentary

2019 Novim Epiphany Award for Science Awareness at Stanford University

Philadelphia Environmental Film Festival 2019 Best Feature Film

SCAD Savannah Film Festival 2018 Best Documentary

The Human Element

LESSON PLANS AND FILM CLIPS FOR EDUCATORS

Free lesson plans to complement THE HUMAN ELEMENT in your classroom

Clips of the film and accompanying lesson plans for middle and high school students are available to educators free of charge. This dynamic curriculum engages students and teachers in forward-looking dialogue and thoughtful discussions around climate change and its impacts on their communities and daily lives. Through compelling scientific and visual evidence, students will learn how the Anthropocene—the current epoch of systemic human change in the environment—is affecting four foundational elements: earth, air, water, and fire.

The curriculum, a mixture of art and science mirroring the film, can be used in either humanities or science classes. All lessons are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

EACH LESSON INCLUDES:

    • Background information
    • Discussion guides and project suggestions
    • Links to partners working in relevant fields
    • Additional resources
    • Extension activities for more advanced learning

THE LESSON PLANS:

    • Full film lesson: For educators who screen the full film for their students, this lesson focuses on the broad concepts introduced in THE HUMAN ELEMENT, includes some media literacy prompts, and can be used as a stand-alone lesson or as an introduction to the full series of lessons.
    • Four film chapter lessons: Each of the four elements in the film – earth, air, water and fire – has its own separate lesson plan and accompanying film clip, ideal for fitting into class periods. These chapters can be used a stand-alone lessons, or as part of a series.
    • Culminating lesson: This lesson can be taught at the end of the elemental series for students to compile their insights and art projects to share as a classroom or larger community exhibit.

MEET the TEAM

Matthew Testa

Matthew Testa

Director

Director Matthew Testa has been working in documentary film and television for two decades, often focusing on the environment, social justice issues and the interplay between people and nature.

Read More about Matthew Testa

Olivia Ahnemann

Olivia Ahnemann

Producer

Olivia Ahnemann has been producing and directing documentary films for nearly 20 years. Most recently, she produced Under the Gun with director Stephanie Soechtig, which premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, and was distributed by EPIX/Lionsgate.

Read More about Olivia Ahnemann

James Balog

James Balog

Writer / Film Subject

For 35 years, photographer James Balog has broken new conceptual and artistic ground on one of the most important issues of our era: human modification of our planet’s natural systems.

Read More about James Balog

Daniel Wright

Daniel Wright

Co-Producer

After graduating from Colorado College with degrees in film and anthropology, Daniel began working at the Oceanic Preservation Society, the filmmakers behind the Academy Award-winning documentary THE COVE, on their highly anticipated second film, RACING EXTINCTION.

Read More about Daniel Wright

Lyman Smith

Lyman Smith

Editor

Lyman’s work has appeared in festivals across the globe from Sundance to Tribeca to Telluride as well as Cannes, Paris, and Frankfurt.

Read More about Lyman Smith

SPREAD THE WORD! If you would like to host a screening of The Human Element, please submit a request using the button below.

THE ELEMENTS

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