UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS
FILMS AT THE FARM
This summer , The Ecology Center launched a monthly film series featuring a collection of documentaries to inspire sustainable living and nurturing of the land . Two films —“ Common Ground ” and “ Morning of the Earth ”— have already been shown , while two more are still coming up . The films are screened outdoors in partnership with Laguna Beach ’ s Coast Film & Music Festival to raise funds to complete an artistic short film about the center ’ s work . Upcoming films include “ Food , Inc . 2 ,” about the grip of multinational corporations on the food system , on Aug . 28 , and “ Out There ,” a journey through the national parks , on Sept . 25 . Bring a low-back chair or blanket to watch the movie as well as a picnic or purchase food and drinks available onsite . The center is a 28-acre regenerative organic certified farm and education center in San Juan Capistrano that serves as a hub for Southern California ’ s ecological movement . ( 949-443- 4223 ; theecologycenter . org ) — C . B .
A series of monthly films are being shown outdoors at The Ecology Center in partnership with the Coast Film & Music Festival of Laguna Beach .
Radical Recognition
Visit Laguna Beach ’ s docuseries and podcast “ From Radical Origins ” has garnered several awards , including the 2024 Hermes Creative Platinum Award in the Electronic Media / Social Media / Interactive Media / Video / Documentary category for “ Reef Madness ,” an episode focusing on local surfers whose fight for public beach access led to an iconic contest , the Brooks Street Surfing Classic . The episode also took home an honoree mention in the Travel & Lifestyle category of The Webby Awards . Other recognition for the series came from the Orange County chapter of the American Advertising Federation and The Telly Awards . “ From Radical Origins ” was also a finalist for the Best Branded Content Series in the Digiday Content Marketing Awards . Schiefer Chopshop produced the seven-episode series , which highlights the spirit of the community from pivotal moments to local visionaries and their creativity , passion and resilience that make Laguna Beach such a unique place . ( 949-497-9229 ; visitlagunabeach . com ) — C . B .
Still shots from the “ Reef Madness ” episode of Visit Laguna Beach ’ s docuseries , “ From Radical Origins ,” include Jeff Booth ( left ), contestants lining up for the first Brooks Street Surfing Classic ( right ) and Larry Brixey ( middle ), the contest ’ s first winner .
TOP SECTION : COURTESY OF COAST FILM FOUNDATION ; BOTTOM ROW : COURTESY OF VISIT LAGUNA BEACH ; OPPOSITE PAGE : COURTESY OF SURFING HERITAGE & CULTURE CENTER / DICK METZ
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