Last year’s Sundance Film Festival saw the debut of some of the most talked about eco-documentaries to ever be made, including The Cove, which stayed a hot topic in media sources around the world for months. This year’s festival hasn’t made quite the same splash (at least not yet), but there are some environmentally-driven documentaries well worth checking out when they make it out of festival rounds and into theaters or onto DVD, and we’ve got our favorites below. It’s also worth noting that the Sundance Film Festival itself got progressively greener this year, encouraging festival visitors to avoid private transportation (unless it was walking), use the provided reusable water bottles and Brita filtered water, and offering repurposed, recycled and reusable merchandise.

Born Sweet

This documentary from Academy Award-winning director Cynthia Wade highlights the story of a pre-teen boy in rural Cambodia who, like many of the region’s citizens, is dealing with illness from arsenic poisoning he contracted through the water in his village. At the same time he’s dreaming of one day becoming a famous karaoke star—provided he lives. Born Sweet is a truly touching film and puts a face to the nameless affected by the decisions we make that hurt our environment and it shows us just how much is really at stake with every choice. Click here to read more

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At this year’s Sundance Film Festival the lineup of films read a bit like our Greenzer Glossary with some of the most buzzed about movies titled things like “No Impact Man” and “Crude”. It’s a testament to our times that so many of the featured films found their message in issues of the environment and each one has a unique angle and a great (educational!) story to tell. Here are five of our favorites to look for in theaters–and on video–near you.

1. The Cove
A far cry from the movie Flipper, this film tells a true tale about the Japanese town that serves as the world’s largest supplier of dolphins…and some of the terrible things that take place there. Since extreme measures have been taken to ensure outsiders don’t find out dirty details about the dolphin capturing, the film makers had to be sly to capture the footage, so there’s a true spy thriller element. All the while, The Cove explores one of the most significant crises affecting our planet, the poisoning of our oceans. Winner of the Audience Award for a U.S. documentary.
FOR: Swimmers who appreciate everything under the sea and anyone who enjoys a good thriller.

2. No Impact Man
Colin Beavan, a New York author, decided that for one year he would do everything in his power to make no impact on the earth, making him the No Impact Man. His decision also brought about a book deal and a film, and this is the latter. Interesting not only in terms of what we can do to preserve our planet, No Impact Man investigates what impact the planet has on us, specifically on his wife and young daughter, who he drags along for the carbon-free ride.
FOR: People ready to start taking some steps to sustainability, particularly those with families who don’t necessarily agree.

3. The Beekeepers
Most of us are now aware that the bee population is dwindling (when the Haagen Dazs carton is proclaiming it, it’s hard to miss) and with it the art of beekeeping. This artistic and experimental documentary explores the profession, bees themselves, and what the changes in their world mean about the changes in ours (don’t underestimate the connection until you watch).
FOR: Indie movie lovers who can appreciate something different and anyone who’s ever buzzed about bees. Click here to read more

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