Looking forward: Five films to catch at Transitions Film Festival

With nine South Australian premieres, these films challenge society by posing solutions to global problems whilst showcasing the individuals working to build a better world. This year’s overarching themes include climate change, artificial intelligence, new-world economics, ocean health and animal welfare.

Here are five films at this year’s festival well worth catching.

Food Fighter

Over four million tonnes of edible food ends up in landfill each year while up to two million Australians go hungry and the environment continues to suffer emits landfill greenhouse gasses. Filmed over two years and four continents, Food Fighter follows OzHarvest CEO Ronni Kahn on her journey to fight Australia’s waste problem and hold the government accountable.

Living In The Future’s Past

Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges challenges our current way of thinking with observations of our subconscious motivations and the consequences they have on our ecology. The film explores the psychological changes we may need to undertake to solve the environmental crises that result from primitive thoughts and desires.

Albatross

Although one of the most remote places on Earth, the waste of society’s consumerism has still impacted the humble Albatross on Midway Island in the North Pacific Ocean. Over the course of eight years artist Chris Jordan films the life cycles of the birds and presents an evocative observation on how humanity’s materialism has impacted the natural world.

SuperSapiens

In the dawn of an age of artificial intelligence, leading world philosophers and academics, Sam Harris, Nick Bostrom, Richard Dawkins, Hugo De Garis and Ben Goertzel explore ‘consciousness hacking’ and what it means for us in the not-too-distant future. Looking at our current state of technology, SuperSapiens presents the moral and ethical implications of merging man with machine.

Free Lunch Society

Free Lunch Society examines the history and future of the concept of ‘Universal Basic Income’, offering insight into the economy of tomorrow in an era of artificial intelligence and automation. The film looks at the post-work world and asks whether inactivity seduces people into laziness and whether freedom from material pressures is a chance for liberation within oneself and the broader community.

Transitions Film Festival
May 18 – 27
Mercury Cinema
Tickets via transitionsfilmfestival.com