If you don’t think people picking up trash sounds like the makings of a good movie, you haven’t yet seen “Trash Dance.”
Choreographer Allison Orr finds beauty and grace in garbage trucks and in the men and women who do this dirty, difficult and sometimes dangerous work. After following Austin sanitation workers on their daily routes for several weeks, Orr convinces them to perform what results in a beautiful and poignant performance for an audience of thousands.
The American Conservation Film Festival (ACFF), based in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, is entering its 13th season of presenting the most outstanding conservation-themed documentary films and programming with the mission of informing and inspiring people to become engaged in conservation issues.
To bring some of ACFF’s best films to a wider audience, the organization presents a Best of Fest at theaters and venues around the West Virginia-Virginia-Maryland region. Best of Fest is coming to Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, on Oct. 1, in Halpin-Harrison Hall, Stimpson Auditorium. Show time is 6:30 p.m.
The university’s environmental studies, mass communication, and dance programs, along with the Shenandoah Outdoor Adventure & Recreation program, are co-sponsoring the event, which is free and open to the public.
“This is really the perfect movie to screen at Shenandoah,” said Jennifer Lee, ACFF’s development & communications director. “It is fun, moving, personal, and combines conservation with performance art.”
“Trash Dance” was the Festival’s 2014 Green Fire Award winner, its top award for filmmaking excellence. In addition to the movie, several trailers of films in the upcoming 2015 Festival will be shown to give audience members a preview.
“We are excited to partner with ACFF and bring this unique film to the attention of our students, faculty and staff, as well as the local community,” said Shenandoah University President Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D.
