Rising Sea Levels | 3 SHORTS

Awarding-Winning THE RETREAT
Directed by Academy Award-Winning Thomas F. Lennon

THE RETREAT showcases three Rutgers scientists—ecologists Thomas “Motz” Grothues and Lisa Auermuller, along with oceanographer Oscar Schofield—alongside the Rutgers University Marine Field Station. This facility, part of the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, serves as a year-round working lab for graduate and postdoctoral research, averaging 69 hours of use weekly. Located across from Little Egg Inlet in the Mullica River-Great Bay estuary, it plays a pivotal role in climate research.

“We know with sea level rise, water isn’t just going to come and go,” Auermuller states in the film. “It’s going to come and stay. What we know as of today’s high tides… will be the permanent condition moving forward.”

Director Thomas F. Lennon, an associate professor at Mason Gross, reflects on Auermuller’s challenge: “How can we be telling the general public to take this seriously if we’re not? We have to lead by example.” Inspired, he began recruiting and scheduling students to join the project.

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Awarding-Winning Salqmiut: people
along the coast, at the edge
Directed by Alan Rudolph Marcus

Salqmiut: people along the coast, at the edge explores the impact of climate change on two communities in sharply different urban and natural settings. In January 2025, Los Angeles experienced the worst fires in its history, destroying more than 18,000 homes and structures. While in the small Canadian Inuit hamlet Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean the community is contending with coastal erosion, flooding and the town’s relocation. Saliqmiut adopts a novel fire and ice bifocal perspective to consider the local implications and adaption to the escalating effects of climate change.

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Awarding-Winning SALTED EARTH
Directed by Ben Hemmings

Dive into the gripping world of Salted Earth, a powerful 20-minute documentary that reveals the silent crisis reshaping the Mid-Atlantic: rising sea levels. This film doesn’t just present facts; it immerses you in a vivid narrative of environmental turmoil, where the relentless surge of saltwater threatens to obliterate forests and fertile lands. As we follow a passionate team of scientists navigating these brackish waters, their quest becomes not just about research but a lifeline for vulnerable communities. “Can our strategy against the rising sea succeed, or are we fighting an unwinnable war?” This burning question resonates deeply, urging viewers to confront the stark realities of climate change and the fragile balance of our coastal ecosystems.

But Salted Earth is more than just a tale of science; it’s a poignant exploration of human resilience and innovation. Through intimate interviews with farmers, community leaders, and relentless scientists, we witness the indomitable spirit of those fighting to preserve their homes and livelihoods against the encroaching tide. As one farmer poignantly states, “Our land is our legacy.” This documentary not only sheds light on a pressing global issue but also inspires action and hope. Don’t miss your chance to experience this eye-opening journey—join us in unveiling the future of our world through a salt-streaked lens. Watch Salted Earth and become part of the conversation that could shape our planet’s destiny.

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THE AWESOME FILM DIRECTORS:

THOMAS F. LENNON is the innovative director of the Documentary Film Lab at the Rutgers Filmmaking Center, part of the Mason Gross School of the Arts. He produced and directed the impactful film The Retreat and boasts an Oscar win in 2007, along with four Academy nominations.

Lennon is passionate about guiding his students through real-world projects, always seeking compelling stories. He recalls a striking 2020 article featuring Auermuller, highlighting the pressing challenges of rising waters and extreme flooding, which raised critical questions about whether researchers should relocate their work inland. This real-world urgency fuels his dedication to documentary filmmaking.

ALAN RUDULPH MARCUS is a filmmaker, cultural historian and Professor in Creative and Cultural Practice at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. He is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Cambridge Philosophical Society and a member of the Director’s Guild of America.

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OUR AMAZING PANELISTS:

Stay tuned..!

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MODERATOR:

ELLE KATHERINE CLEVELAND is an English and Communication Major at George Mason University, where she is dedicated to honing her skills in effective communication and literary analysis. Raised in Chesterfield, Virginia, Elle’s formative years were enriched by her deep connection to nature, fostering a lifelong appreciation for the environment. Her passion for the natural world informs her academic pursuits and creative endeavors, as she seeks to explore the intersection of language, culture, and the great outdoors.

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EVENT SPONSOR: Climate Action NOW (CAN) 501c3. EVENT PARTNERS: Network NOVA, Trace – The Zero Waste Store, Climate & Clean Energy Working Group, Go Electric DMV.

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