Artivist Film Festival Comes to New York

The international Artivist film festival is built on the convergence of art and activism. The festival showcases films that address human rights, children's advocacy, environmental preservation, and animal rights, and this year has quite the lineup.

Opening the festival in New York at Tribeca Cinemas on March 25 will be Sutton: A Man For All Seasons, which "captures the history, influence and legacy of one of Harlem's most distinguished gentlemen." Director Jamal Joseph (who will speak at the festival) and producer Voza Rivers will show another of their films that night, Harlem is Music, about the influence of Latin music, gospel, jazz, R&B, and hip hop in Harlem.

Children of War, a feature about a group of escaped child soldiers' struggle toward rehabilitation and reconciliation, will be screened on Friday, March 26. The documentary, filmed over three years in war-torn northern Uganda, also follows militia leaders and some of its victims.

Also showing Friday will be Intelligent Life: Change Your Mind Change Your World, which explores the concept that the time has come for us to take responsibility for how our choices affect ourselves and the planet.

The final night, March 27, will feature Academy Award winner Barry Levinson's Poliwood, which explores the collision between politics and Hollywood, followed by 8: eight short films from directors including Mira Nair, Gus Van Sant, Jane Campion and Wim Wenders. The collection promotes the eight UN Millennium Development goals, and each short film highlights progress made and challenges remaining for our planet today. The film will be introduced by Dr. Noel J. Brown, CEO and President of Friends of the United Nations.

Check out the festival schedule for the full lineup and film descriptions. If you're in town that weekend, think about checking some of them out.

Have A Local Foods Picnic Date

Pack a sustainable, bring-your-own, local foods picnic for two. On a sunny weekend afternoon, stow a blanket, some reusable dishes and cutlery, cloth napkins, and a small cutting board in a hamper or a couple of tote bags. (Whichever one of you is more macho can carry the stuff around, or if you're into equality, you can take turns.) Head for a local farmer's market, and pick out some tasty eats you can bring to a nearby park for a romantic meal that supports area farmers, reduces waste, and is more romantic and unique than yet another table for two at yet another restaurant.

Have A Volunteering Date

Volunteer with a group that is doing something eco-smart and good for the community, like picking up trash along a coastline, will put you and your date in a great mood, provide instant fodder for conversation, and help you bond over your shared interest in making a better world.

Have A Flea Market Date

Buying secondhand items is eco-conscious because it keeps usable goods out of landfill, and you might land some seriously sweet vintage swag while wandering a flea market with your new romantic interest. More importantly, though, there's enough going on at a busy flea market to keep the conversation light and fun, and it's a date that can really help you get to know each other. By the time you and your date have haggled with merchants, scoffed at hideous junk, and rediscovered weird forgotten treasures from the era of your childhood together, you'll definitely know whether a second date is in order.

Are you a green hipster looking for all things green and cool? Then you'll love actor and eco-activist Adrian Grenier and his team of environmental experts, who live it up with sustainable style on Planet Green TV's Alter Eco