Community environmental group Green Elk Rapids is partnering with Elk Rapids Cinema to host a free screening of the documentary Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution and a post-film panel discussion Friday (October 26) at 7pm at the Elk Rapids theater.

The 70-minute documentary – directed by Jamie Redford, son of actor Robert Redford and co-founder of the nonprofit The Redford Center – “chronicles a journey of some very inspiring Americans as they move us all towards a cleaner and better future,” Redford says. Profiling “unlikely entrepreneurs in communities from Georgetown, Texas to Buffalo, New York,” the film highlights cutting-edge clean energy solutions and the efforts of politicians, executives, and activists to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels. The documentary premiered on HBO and features Oscar-nominated actor Mark Ruffalo, U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, and Apple’s Vice President of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives among its subjects.

The film screening will be followed by a live discussion with panel guests including Evan Upshur, solar sales engineer for Grand Rapids-based The Green Panel; Mary Van Valin, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities board member; and local resident Neil Warner, who’s constructed his own wind and solar energy projects. High school students from Traverse City’s Central High School and Elk Rapids High School immersed in solar projects will also be in attendance.

Admission to the event is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis at the theater. For a personal message from Jamie Redford about the Elk Rapids event and a trailer for Happening, click here.