The Extraordinary Caterpillar

A Climate Action NOW Monthly Film Festival EVENT

Monday April 27, 2026 | 7:00-9:30 PM

CINEMA ARTS THEATRES
9650 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22031

FREE! | SOLD OUT!

Award-Winning THE EXTRAORDINARY CATERPILLAR
Directed/Produced by
JEFF MCKAY, featuring Doug Tallamy
a Climate Action NOW Monthly Film Festival Film
Monday April 27, 2026

Experience the enchanting world of The Extraordinary Caterpillar, a TVO Original documentary. This captivating film reveals the crucial role of these tiny creatures in transforming parks and backyards, powering ecosystems that support everything from songbirds to grizzly bears.

With stunning macro videography by naturalist Sam Jaffe, viewers will explore the fascinating survival skills and ecological importance of caterpillars. Produced by Merit Motion Pictures and directed by Jeff McKay, the documentary features insights from leading experts, including entomologist Antonia Guidotti and author Doug Tallamy.

Join young explorers and gardeners as they highlight community efforts in caterpillar conservation, celebrating nature’s ultimate transformation artists and inspiring a new appreciation for the vibrant ecosystems around us. Don’t miss this eye-opening journey!

OUR AWESOME PANEL:

MADDIE BRIGHT, Executive Director of Earth Sangha where she has worked full-time on native plant conservation since 2011, and where she grew up as the daughter of co-founders Lisa and Chris Bright. Maddie has worked closely with ecologists, botanists, and park managers across the Northern Virginia region on plant conservation and ecological restoration projects over the years, including a brief stint interning at Huntley Meadows Park. She regularly teaches for the Arlington Regional Master Naturalist chapter and serves on the steering committee for the National Capitol Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management.

DANIELLE WYNNE, Watershed Education and Outreach Fairfax County Stormwater Management. Danielle has been a freshwater ecologist with the Fairfax County Stormwater Planning Division since 2002. Danielle has an undergraduate degree in Biology and Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Public Policy from George Mason University. Her duties include stream insect and fish surveys, bacteria sampling, and field assessments of habitat and water quality. She leads the award-winning Watershed Education and Outreach section and has a passion for working with students and teachers to help promote the importance of environmental stewardship and education. Danielle has worked with tens of thousands of students and looks forward to educating many more.

JOANNE HUTTON, CoChair, Plant NOVA Natives campaign, Arlington Regional Master Naturalists. Joanne is an accredited Master Naturalist and Master Gardener dedicated to fostering biodiversity and higher quality habitats in our built environments, educating the public, and sharing sustainable practices & values within faith communities.

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.

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

SOLD OUT! Limited Seating!

FILM FESTIVAL PARTNERS

WHAT VIEWERS HAD TO SAY:

“I love The Extraordinary Caterpillar. It was fun to see it in a theater full of people who all reacted to it — oohs, aahs, laughter, etc.”

“Wonderful, educational. The passion of everyone came through and was infectious. Beautiful way to share photos and educate and create action to save the butterflies and moths. I want to use more native plants and keep leaf matter alone. Tear out invasives. Thank you. Well done film, engaging to watch!”

“Really enjoyed the film. Even though I ‘thought’ I knew a lot about the insect life, this was an eye-opener. Definitely very thought-provoking.”

“The Extraordinary Caterpillar made me want to check on flowers we bought today to see if they are native.”

“The film was educational and inspired concern for the ecosystem. It portrayed great excitement and passion for the topic and for teaching. And also created a desire to visit the lab and to pursue my passion for nature and caterpillars.”

“The film made me realize how important it is for us to be more aware of our connection to nature.”

“Very informative, entertaining, and inspiring. I have a huge oak tree. Now I understand the importance of caterpillars!”

“It was fascinating, and now I wanna visit the caterpillar lab! And I want to show the film to people I know. It made me realize how much I don’t know — things I had no idea about — and now I want to protect caterpillars.”

“The Extraordinary Caterpillar is outstanding! I’ve been passionate about the topic of increasing biodiversity for about five years, but learned so much tonight! I’ve just retired, and this has energize me to keep my focus on spreading the word to others. I’m a pastor, and during my last 5 to 6 years at my Arlington, Virginia church we added 11 native trees to the parsonage yard and more than 20 to the church. So important! Much more to do…”

“Loved it! Had never seen macro movies of caterpillars. But having been stung on my face by a saddleback caterpillar, I had a bit of PTSD at the start! I’ve been in NA plant gardener for years to improve habitat for birds. I’m going to pay more attention to caterpillars now.”

Stay tuned, more viewer feedback to come…!