Clean River Partners invites you to join us for the 9th Downstream Environmental Film Festival, a celebration of art, storytelling, and environmental action.
This year’s theme—“Transformation”—reflects the powerful ways water reshapes our landscapes, the ongoing changes within our environment, and the creativity required to adapt when our resources are limited. Through this lens, we’ll explore how communities, ecosystems, and individuals evolve in the face of environmental challenges.
Featuring a dynamic selection of films from local, national, and international filmmakers, the Downstream Environmental Film Festival highlights the interconnectedness of art and advocacy. Each film sheds light on critical issues such as water quality, conservation, and sustainability—topics that may seem distant but have deep roots in our own backyards.
More than just a film series, the festival is a space for conversation and connection. Together, we’ll celebrate creativity, spark dialogue, and inspire action toward a more resilient and sustainable future.
Join us this February as we move downstream together—toward understanding, transformation, and change.
Can’t make it on this date? No problem! We’re screening the film again in Northfield on February 9 and February 10, in Faribault on February 19, and in Owatonna on February 24.
Accessibility Information
Accessible entrance
Accessible parking nearby (next door)
Bathrooms available
Special Guest Announcement
At this screening, we’ll be joined by Patrick Kirby (film director) and Rowell Guevarra (film subject) of The River’s Gift, one of the seven films chosen for the festival.
Patrick Kirby is a passionate filmmaker who finds inspiration in both family life and the natural world around him. With an M.A. in Film and Media Arts from American University, Patrick crafts visual narratives that connect with audiences on a deeply human level. Whether he’s exploring environmental issues, translating complex science, or documenting the experiences of veterans, Patrick is always looking for the people behind the story. He believes the heart of every project lies in the individuals at its center and he uses his skills to help them tell their stories with authenticity and impact.
His filmmaking journey has taken him across diverse landscapes and important causes, creating environmental stories for the National Park Service, making science accessible for the Environmental Protection Agency, and capturing veterans’ voices at the VA, and highlighting Soldier Stories with the Army both stateside and deployed.
Drawing from his own background as a veteran, Patrick brings a unique perspective and a deep respect for the people he documents. He’s particularly passionate about using documentary film to explore the relationship between people and their environment, finding the emotional core that resonates with viewers and inspires connection and change.
Questions about the event?
Contact Jennifer Tonko (she/her), our Executive Director
Email: jennifer@cleanriverpartners.org
Phone: (507) 786-3913 ext. 1
Huge thanks to our event supporters!
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.