scorch presents: Environmental Films, Talks and Poetry

scorch presents: a screening of two short environmental documentaries, accompanied by Q&As with participants of the films. scorch is a filmmaking collective daring to tell stories that others won't touch. Formed in Bristol by three friends, our mission is to give a voice to the voiceless in the urgent fight for our planet. In 2024, we independently produced two short docs which we are showing in a limited run of screenings across the UK, in our very first “scorch presents” series.

My Name is Swallow - On her way to stand trial, Swallow, an accused climate activist, contemplates the sacrifices she has made and whether it was all worth it

Treading the Line - Two friends cycle the length of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline. They discover the destruction total energies are causing to people, wildlife and environment. Director: Owen Brewster and Jackson Laybourn

Both films will be followed by a Q&A with individuals from both films – Swallow, the focal character in My Name is Swallow, and Zaki Mahmood, a Stop EACOP campaigner. We hope the event will raise awareness about the activists fighting for both environmental causes around the world, and provide an opportunity for discussion with those representing each organisation.

Both films will be prefaced with poetry readings by Bristol-based, West Country weaned poet, Jamie Connolly. Performing two original pieces, he explores the sometimes conflicting rural and urban currents of his upbringing and how our own personal environments flow within the global environment as a whole.

SET TIMES:

7:30 - INTRO + POEM

7:45 - MY NAME IS SWALLOW

8:15 - Q&A

8:45 - BREAK

9:00 - POEM

9:15 - TREADING THE LINE

9:45 - STOP EACOP MESSAGE + Q&A