RENEWAL is the first feature-length documentary to capture the breadth and vitality of America's religious-environmental movement. In rural communities, suburbs and cities, people of faith are rolling up their sleeves in practical and far-reaching ways. Offering a profound message of hope, RENEWAL shows individuals and communities driven by the deepest source of inspiration - their spiritual and religious convictions - being called to re-examine what it means to be human and how we live on this planet.
Throughout, RENEWAL attempts to paint an honest picture of how much work will be needed to stem the tide of environmental devastation. Its compelling characters and stories inspire the vision and commitment that addressing the challenge will require.
The 90-minute documentary is designed for theatrical and community screenings, and for broadcast, yet each of RENEWAL's eight stories also stands on its own.
Evangelicals bear witness to mountaintop removal and the destruction of Appalachia
More »GreenFaith helps congregations take the first steps to environmental action
More »Muslim tradition and charity forge bonds between urban communities and sustainable farms
More »The Teva Learning Center and Adamah bring environmental education together with Jewish tradition
More »Green Sangha, a Buddhist community, leads a campaign to save trees
More »The Holy Spirit inspires a battle against industrial contamination in small town Mississippi
More »Catholics and Native Americans embrace religious ritual in their struggle to protect land and water
More »Across America people of all faiths mount a religious response to global warming
More »Active Voice, a pioneer in the sophisticated use of documentaries as community organizing tools, has worked with the producers of RENEWAL to design an innovative engagement campaign to increase the impact of the documentary in American communities, houses of worship, business, civil society and governmental settings.
The Center for Independent Documentary is the fiscal sponsor of the RENEWAL Project.
The Forum on Religion and Ecology is an international, multi-religious project exploring religious worldviews, texts, and ethics in order to broaden understanding of human-Earth relations. Through its scholarship, conferences, publications and outreach, the Forum has been an inspiration to the RENEWAL Project.
The RENEWAL Project was made possible by a generous grant from The Kendeda Sustainability Fund.
RENEWAL was produced and directed by veteran filmmakers Marty Ostrow and Terry Kay Rockefeller, using the compelling storytelling and high production standards that have been the hallmark of their work for NOVA, American Experience, Eyes on the Prize, and other PBS series.