From flower farms on Chicago’s South Side to forest classrooms in Kentucky and families finding healing in nature in San Antonio, In Our Nature follows people building connections through the natural world. This original feature explores environmental education through intimate human stories, linking everyday encounters with questions of access, belonging and resilience.
Directed by James Parker and produced by Parker and Juliet Grable, the film puts people and grassroots solutions at the center of those questions.
Partners and Participants
Featured participant Quilen Blackwell was named the 2025 CNN Hero of the Year for his work with Southside Blooms. His personal recognition shines a light on the community-rooted work seen in the film.
The campaign began with sold-out premieres in Chicago and Lexington. A screening at SXSW EDU brought the film into a wider conversation about education. Across the tour, screenings and filmmaker conversations continue to connect the stories with communities around the country.
Chicago Premiere
July 17, 2025 · Gene Siskel Film Center
The sold-out Chicago pre-release premiere and fundraiser brought the film back to the city where some of its stories began. The event benefited Southside Blooms, connecting an evening at the cinema with the grassroots work at the heart of the film.
A night for In Our Nature and Southside Blooms at the Gene Siskel Film Center. Photo: Tina Smothers.The Chicago premiere at the Gene Siskel Film Center. July 17, 2025. Photo: Tina Smothers.The conversation continued after the film, with the filmmakers and the Southside Blooms team. Photo: Tina Smothers.
Lexington Premiere
July 24, 2025 · Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center, Lexington
The sold-out Kentucky pre-release premiere and fundraiser benefited Red Oaks Forest School and the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education. A panel discussion and reception made space for the community behind the work to meet, reflect and celebrate.
The conversation after the Kentucky premiere at Lexington’s Lyric Theatre. July 24, 2025.Gathering at the Kentucky premiere, a fundraiser benefiting Red Oaks Forest School and KAEE.
SXSW EDU
March 11, 2026 · Austin, Texas
As an official selection at SXSW EDU 2026, In Our Nature met an audience gathered around education. The screening and Q&A connected the film’s human stories with a wider conversation about learning.
James Parker, Quilen Blackwell, Dr. Ellen Prusinski and Griff Griffith in conversation at SXSW EDU. March 11, 2026. Photo: Heather Westmoreland / SXSW Conference & Festivals.
Presented in partnership with NAAEE, the Washington, D.C. premiere and fundraiser benefited TAPS. The evening brought an audience together around environmental education, with conversation continuing beyond the screening and into the reception.
Washington, D.C., gathered at the Miracle Theatre for the film’s East Coast premiere. February 19, 2026. Photo: Travis Marshall.In Our Nature on the marquee at the Miracle Theatre. Photo: Travis Marshall.Keeping the conversation going at the Washington, D.C., premiere reception. Photo: Travis Marshall.
First 5 Santa Barbara County
May 8, 2026 · Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
The Nature & Learning Research Forum brought together more than 115 education professionals, researchers, funders and advocates. A screening of In Our Nature and a director Q&A put the film in conversation with the people shaping how children learn and connect with the natural world.
A moment outside at First 5 Santa Barbara’s Nature & Learning Research Forum. May 8, 2026. Photo: Jeremy Ball / Bottle Branding.First 5 brought educators, researchers and community advocates together for a screening and Q&A with James Parker. Photo: Bottle Branding.
Rivian San Diego
April 17, 2026 · Rivian San Diego
Rivian’s San Diego space became a place to watch, listen and talk together. The community screening continued the campaign’s approach of bringing the film into local gathering places as well as theaters.
An evening of film and conversation at Rivian San Diego, featuring James Parker and Quilen Blackwell. April 17, 2026.
Medford
Holly Theatre · Medford, Oregon
At Medford’s Holly Theatre, the film brought another community together around environmental education and the grassroots solutions at its heart. The screening continued the tour’s journey through theaters and local gathering spaces across the country.
The film’s 40th screening, at Medford’s historic Holly Theatre. October 24, 2026.Before the show at the Holly Theatre. The evening was made possible by Bob and Suzi Given, with Paul Sheldon bringing together more than 35 local co-hosts.A conversation at the Holly with James Parker, Juliet Grable, Tina Brouwer-Kraska, Jason Stout, Dr. Ellen Prusinski and host Griff Griffith.
Microsoft Sustainability Community
January 29, 2026 · Virtual screening initiative and Teams conversation
The filmmakers and Griff Griffith joined Microsoft’s Sustainability Community for a conversation around the film. The virtual format brought the story into a workplace community’s discussion of sustainability and our relationship with nature.
Upcoming: American Museum of Natural History
Upcoming · November 13, 2026 · 4–7 p.m. · New York
An Educators’ Evening will pair In Our Nature with a reception, panel discussion and Q&A, continuing the conversation with educators at the American Museum of Natural History.
Educational licensing is available now through Video Project, helping the film reach classrooms and learning communities. A discussion guide developed with NAAEE gives hosts practical prompts and activities.
Streaming is planned for 2027, opening another way for audiences to discover the film.
Recognition
An official selection at SXSW EDU 2026 and a 2026 Silver Telly recipient in General Documentary, the film now has a life as both a cinematic experience and a resource for people bringing nature and education into their communities.
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