STATEWIDE FILM EVENTS URGE CONTINUED OPPOSITION TO OFFSHORE DRILLING AND SEISMIC TESTING

"Beginning Wed., Mar. 30 Working Films and a cohort of North Carolina-based environmental organizations will launch Shore Stories, a film series celebrating the exclusion of the Atlantic coast from the federal proposal for new offshore oil and gas leases. The six short films highlight the grassroots resistance that led to this outcome, as well as stories from past oil and gas exploration - including the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster. A full list of films - including preview links - can be found at the end of this release.  

(Greensboro Showing)

April 12th, 7:00pm, Presbyterian Church of the Covenant

501 South Mendenhall Street, Greensboro, NC

Hosted by Sierra Club Greensboro Piedmont Plateau Group 

Conceived several months ago, Shore Stories events were originally planned to inspire participation in the public comment period for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s proposal for drilling leases. With the the Atlantic Coast eliminated from the proposal, the screenings will now bring residents together to celebrate, but also to keep up the pressure on a related topic - seismic testing for offshore oil and gas deposits - which is still a possibility in the region. 

Mike Giles, Coastal Advocate with the North Carolina Coastal Federation outlined how the Shore Stories events will address the good news of the no leasing program and the bad news that the seismic testing permitting continues to move forward. “While the administration made the right call on the leasing program it left the job half done by not canceling the permitting process for seismic testing. Communities all up and down the eastern seaboard as well as some of the most respected experts in the world oppose seismic testing due to the destructive impacts to marine mammals and fisheries. The Shore Stories screenings are opportunities to celebrate the victory against the leasing program and can serve as a call to arms against seismic testing. The reasons the leasing program was cancelled are just as valid for not permitting the seismic testing.”

Shore Stories events will be held in Charlotte, Durham, Greensboro, Morehead City, Nags Head, Raleigh, and Wrightsville Beach. A full listing with details is at the end of this release. Additional events are being planned with locations, dates, and times to be announced in the coming weeks. Each Shore Stories event will include a discussion led by those who have been working to protect the coast. Events will provide an opportunity for audiences to find out how to stay engaged around seismic testing and offshore drilling, as it continues to be practiced in other parts of the country and the world.  

Working Films’ Co-director Anna Lee explained, “The Shore Stories screenings will provide an opportunity for coastal residents to learn about offshore drilling in a unique and interesting way. Seeing beautifully made, personal stories about the impact of oil and gas drilling on other communities will help North Carolina residents imagine the potential impacts. These events will demonstrate why we must continue to press for a permanent ban on coastal drilling and remain engaged for the long road ahead.”

Director of Environment North Carolina, Dave Rogers said, “There’s something special about the North Carolina coast, whether you love to swim, fish, or just sit on the beach. We’re committed to protecting our coast, and the marine life that thrives along it, for future generations. We hope that through Shore Stories, we can remind people of why we love our coast, what’s at risk, and then give them the opportunity to make a difference for the long term. “

The North Carolina Shore Stories events are part of a larger series being held in South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. 

Shore Stories is a project of Working Films, a national nonprofit organization based in Wilmington, NC. Recognizing the power of stories to inspire and transform, Working Films builds partnerships between documentary filmmakers, nonprofit organizations, educators and advocates to advance social justice and environmental sustainability. 

Partner organizations on Shore Stories include Oceana, Surfrider Foundation, Blue Frontier, Environment North Carolina, the Sierra Club North Carolina Chapter, North Carolina Coastal Federation, and a number of grassroots environmental organizations that are acting as hosts in each city. 

Shore Stories Screening Schedule:

Charlotte
April 28th, 7:00pm, WallerBears Surf Shop
8334 Pineville Matthews Rd
Charlotte, NC  28226
Hosted by Surfrider Foundation Charlotte Chapter

Durham, NC
March 30th 7:00pm, Motorco
723 Rigsbee Ave, Durham, NC 27701
Hosted by 350 Triangle, Environment NC, NC Interfaith Power & Light, NC Sierra Club, and Southern Environmental Law Center.

Greensboro, NC
April 12th, 7:00pm, Presbyterian Church of the Covenant
501 South Mendenhall Street, Greensboro, NC
Hosted by Sierra Club Greensboro Piedmont Plateau Group

Morehead City, NC
April 19th 7:00pm, Carteret County Community College Auditorium
3505 Arendell Street Morehead City, NC 28557
Hosted by Concerned Citizens of Carteret County, Oceana, Environment NC, NC Sierra Club, NC Interfaith Power and Light, Crystal Coast Waterkeeper, and Carteret County Crossroads

Nags Head, NC
April 7th 6:30pm: Waveriders Coffee and Deli
3022 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC 27959
Hosted by the North Carolina Coastal Federation

Raleigh, NC
April 6th 7:00pm: Church of the Nativity
8849 Ray Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613
Hosted by 350 Triangle, Environment North Carolina, NC Interfaith Power & Light, Sierra Club North Carolina Chapter, Southern Environmental Law Center, and Church of the Nativity’s Environmental Stewardship Committee.

Wrightsville Beach, NC
April 12th 5:30pm - Drinks and Appetizers, 6:30pm Films Start: Blockade Runner Resort
275 Waynick Blvd, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
Hosted by the North Carolina Coastal Federation, Oceana, and Surfrider Foundation Cape Fear Chapter.


Shore Stories Films
1) Protecting the Atlantic - By Swell Productions for the Surfrider Foundation
2) After the Spill - (Excerpt) - By Jon Bowermaster
3) Sonic Sea - (Excerpt)  - By  NRDC & Imaginary Forces, with IFAW and Diamond Docs
4) Slow Season - By John Fiege
5) Spin Drift - By Bryan Harvey
6) Seismic Shift: East Coast Opposition to Offshore Oil - By Oce"

- A Press Release