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shareCAM is pleased to partner with the annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival to present two programs of short films that explore the world of contemporary art through a cinematic lens. Each evening explores connections between themes in CAM’s current exhibitions with new releases as part of the Festival’s fine arts spotlight.
These events are free and open to the public. Make it a true dinner and a movie! Bring a spread to enjoy during the screenings and snack on complimentary popcorn. Additional refreshments will be available for purchase.
About the Shorts Program: Wild Kindness
This short film program explores the deep connection between people and place, with a particular care given to the value of the importance that the natural environment has in sustaining our creative and communal life. The title of the program is drawn from a work in Teresa Baker’s exhibition Somewhere Between Earth and Sky, in which the artist plays with scale, shape, color, composition, and materiality to convey an unbound, expansive sense of how we regard our landscape. Similarly, from the contexts of oceans to dry lake beds to farmlands, these short films present perspectives on ways to both tend to and mend our human connection with land and water amidst environmental and cultural changes.
Doors open at 7:00 pm.
Accessibility Notes
- Seating is first come, first served and set up in tables and chairs.
- Guests are welcome to bring food. Outside alcohol is not permitted.
- To request an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter for this event, please contact programs@camstl.org with as much prior notice possible to ensure availability.
In this program
Papillon (Butterfly)
Directed by Florence Miailhe
In the sea, a man swims.
As he does, memories come to the surface.
From his early childhood to his life as a man, all his memories are linked to water.
Some are happy, some glorious, some traumatic.
This story will be that of his last swim. It will take us from the source to the river – from the waters of childhood pools to those of swimming pools – from a North African country to the shores of the Mediterranean – from Olympic stadiums to water retention basins – from concentration camp to the dream beaches of Reunion.
Qotzuñi: People of the Lake
Directed by Gastón Zilberman, Michael Salama
“The lake was our mother, our father. Now, we are orphans.” The Uru Nation lived for generations on Lake Poopó, hunting, fishing, and forming deep cultural ties to its waters. By 2016, due to mining pollution, diverted tributaries, and drought, the lake vanished. ThisShort film portrays the resilience of the last Urus, who still call themselves Qotzuñis—“people of the lake.”
Common Pear
Directed by Gregor Božič
In a not-too-distant future ravaged by climate crisis, a team of scientists analyzes archival footage of farmers from the past in an attempt to understand their connection to the land.
Arctic Alchemy
Directed by Colin Arisman, Zeppelin Zeerip
“Arctic Alchemy” follows renowned Alaskan adventurer and climate scientist Roman Dial and his team on a 112-mile research expedition above the Arctic Circle. Traveling by packraft and foot through Alaska’s mighty Brooks Range, their goal is to find the source of a mysterious phenomenon poisoning watersheds in the Arctic. Along the journey, Roman reckons with fatherhood, personal tragedy, and the power of wilderness to both break us and bring us fully alive.
Dates & Times
Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (CAM)
November 13, 2025
7:30 pm
