Our Mission

EcoFocus Film Festival was founded by Sara Beresford in conjunction with the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia in 2008. The mission of EcoFocus is to inform and inspire audiences about environmental issues through film. Our primary activity from 2008 to 2014 was the annual film festival featuring engaging and often award-winning films from around the world presented with dynamic speakers, panel discussions and events. Films selected for EcoFocus reveal the planet’s beauty and the environmental challenges facing this and future generations, and highlight inspirational stories about people working to protect the environment and its inhabitants. 

In addition to the festival, EcoFocus presented film screenings throughout the year and worked with local schools to inspire environmental stewardship among our community’s youth. By working with local teachers to enhance their curriculums with environmentally focused films, we hope to empower young people to make a positive difference on behalf of the environment.

In 2014, we decided to shift away from a festival format to a year-round screening format. Our year-round screenings do not currently happen on a fixed schedule, but rather come about as opportunities arise to bring fantastic films to Athens.

The strength of EcoFocus lies in its many partnerships and collaborators from throughout the University of Georgia and greater Athens community. EcoFocus was initiated by the Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia in 2007 and was generously supported by the Lyndhurst Foundation during its critical early years of existence. We are grateful for our continuing partnerships with local businesses, government, media partners, and various departments, institutes, and individuals from UGA and beyond.