On Jan. 28 at Cornell University’s Sage Chapel, The Cloud Chamber Orchestra played along with a screening of the historical ethnographic documentary, "Grass: A Nation's Battle for Life.”

Bringing “Grass: A Nation's Battle for Life,” and the Cloud Chamber Orchestra together was a stroke of genius. The band’s musical accompaniment is a perfect harmonious choice for the cavernous church space of Sage Chapel.

Cloud Chamber Orchestra presented its out-of-this-world creations, effortlessly capturing the audience as they watched the silent film. Classic song structure does not hold the group back. They seamlessly move across complex layers of emotionally lingering timbres and exotically rhythmic percussion.

Did you miss the event? Read more about it in this review from The Ithacan. Our own Kayla Reopelle photographed the event while I wrote a review – a true manifestation of collaboration!

Blog posting written by Kacey Deamer, Journalism and Environmental Studies '13, FLEFF Intern, Binghamton, NY

Some people hate to talk about themselves. I'm not one of those people. I'll tell you just about anything you want to know about me. More than anything, though, I love to talk about the environment. That's probably why I am a double major in journalism and environmental studies. It is my job to write and talk about the environment, ranging from the science of climate change to eco-friendly lifestyle changes.

Working with FLEFF is a perfect combination of these passions. I get to promote an incredible, interdisciplinary environmental film festival through blogging! Through this platform I'll share with you the inner-workings of a festival: profiles, reviews, top 5 lists and many other musings. Think of this as a special preview, brought to you by students who care.

As a student who cares and who will be sharing stories on this blog, I thought I'd tell you some more about myself (since I do, in fact, love to talk about myself). I grew up in the suburbs of Binghamton, NY, which is not too inspiring in the environmental department. Despite that, I always had a consciousness of the planet and its well-being. Attending Ithaca College was an easy choice given the sustainability efforts of the campus and the perfect combination of majors.

My time on campus has been spent doing just about everything. On the journalist side: I'm an editor for Buzzsaw Magazine, the environment/sustainability beat reporter for The Ithacan, a member of SPJ and SEJ, and developing a personal blog. On the environmental side: I help maintain the student-run organic garden, am a member of the environmental society and Slow Food chapter. 

Off-campus I am a full-time foodie and wine connoisseur (which will come in handy working on the festival). I also have a fondness for DIY projects and therefore a new addiction to Pinterest.

I'm here, as an intern and a blogger and an insatiable academic, to broaden my understanding of the festival world and to find new avenues to share environmental messages. Why are you here?

Blog post written by Kelsey Green, Documentary Studies and Production, '13, FLEFF intern, Buffalo, New York

I grew  up an hour outside of Buffalo, NY, but currently, I reside in Ithaca, New York,  where I am a sophomore enrolled in Documentary Studies and Production at Ithaca College. 

I am from a rural area and therefore enjoy many activities outdoors such as horseback riding, kayaking, and hiking.  Ithaca is a great place to pursue my studies because there are so many natural areas to explore nearby.

On campus, I am engaged in several ways.  I am a resident assistant for the first year living community on campus. And, I'm also a dean’s host for the Roy H. Park School of Communications. 

When I am not on duty in the residential halls or giving tours of the Park School, the multimedia section of The Ithacan keeps me busy.  I am regularly creating short videos and slideshows for the online section of the paper.  On weekends, I get a thrill out of filming Cornell hockey games for the ICTV show Big Red Faceoff.

Education is very important to me. I do what I can to help youth, because I believe they are our future.  Once a week,  I go to the Ithaca High School to tutor local students.  I also work through a program on campus to talk with visiting ninth graders about my college experiences. I hope to become a film producer after I finish my degree,  but I am also interested in becoming a professor. 

Why am I interested in documentaries and new media?  Because I am amazed at the power they have in raising awareness and prompting social change.  The engagement involved not only by the creators, but also by the audience, fascinates me.  So, that's why I am excited to become more immersed in the media world through FLEFF.  The opportunity to see so many different forms of art and to meet so many different leading artists is incredible!   

What are you looking forward to in the 2011 edition of FLEFF?  Are there certain artists you’re particularly excited to hear speak?