FOOD ON FILM: SUMMER // THE MEAT DEBATE

Dir. Bryony Stokes

2023 | 36 mins (film), 60mins (panel) | UK

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Should we all be giving up meat and dairy if we’re to have a hope of avoiding dangerous climate breakdown?

This is what the headlines seem to tell us. But is this too simplistic a picture – and what would this mean for Cornwall, where the majority of our farmland is used to raise livestock or to grow crops for these animals to eat?

Food for Thought looks at the undeniable impacts of modern animal agriculture as well as some of the incredible Cornish initiatives underway to mitigate them – and also the role that regenerative farming could play in actually combating climate change while producing nutritious food.

Presented by organic beef farmer Lisa Guy, this film aims to inspire much-needed conversation and action about a crucial subject that has become one of the most contentious within the climate debate.

HUNGRY FOR CHANGE
Inspired by Wild Isles, the iconic BBC nature documentary series, WWF, the RSPB, the National Trust and Silverback Films have come together to produce four films for businesses and organisations across the UK.

Hungry for Change reveals the impact of the food system on nature in the UK and explores what actions businesses, employees, and farmers can take to reduce their impact. Hear from leaders in the food and farming community, including Henry Dimbleby MBE (Author of the National Food Strategy) Tony Juniper CBE (Chair, Natural England), Ken Murphy (Group Chief Executive, Tesco), Dame Sharon White (Chairman, John Lewis Partnership), nature-friendly farmers like Patrick and David Barker (Lodge Farm) and Neil Heseltine (Hill Top Farm) and others on how businesses can help solve critical issues in the food system and put nature at the heart of their decision-making.

Join us at our tasting table before the film and sample a range of plant-based dishes from How On Earth Plant Based Deli made with alternative proteins. 5:30-6:30pm.

The Panel

This screening will be introduced by Celia Plender and Claire Wallerstein from Cornwall Climate Care who produced Food For Thought. It will be followed by a panel discussion with speakers including Claire Wallerstein, Catherine Broomfield from the Centre for Rural Policy research who has a background in livestock farming and sustainability, James Dyke Associate Professor in Earth System Science at the University of Exeter and Maresa Bossano from LOVE Food CIC an Exeter-based community organisation with veganism at its core. The session will be chaired by Paul Young Professor of Victorian Literature and Culture at the University of Exeter whose work engages with Victorian meat eating and vegetarianism.

FOOD ON FILM: IN FOUR SEASONS

Summer // The Meat Debate

In recent years, more and more people have been asking questions about meat – its ethics, sustainability and alternatives. In this season we start to unpack the ‘meat debate’.

On the 11th July we kick off with FOOD FOR THOUGHT which asks if it’s possible to produce meat in an environmentally sustainable way.

Next up is MEAT THE FUTURE (25th) which takes a look into the lab-grown meat industry. As it follows the fortunes of one California-based company, the documentary also asks if ‘clean meat’ might be an ethical and pro-environmental alternative to conventional production.

We then finish with the family friendly Aardman animation Chicken Run, for a chicken’s eye view. There will also be panel discussions featuring climate scientists, plant-based activists, producers and more, plus a chance to taste a range of plant-based dishes.

For our full Food on Film programme, tap here >>

VENUE: EXETER PHOENIX, STUDIO 74

*Subject to a £1.50 ticketing system charge. We don’t charge this to make a profit. Find out more >>