Our mission is to create an environmental film festival that brings together a diverse community to celebrate the power of film in raising awareness about critical environmental issues. Through captivating storytelling, we aim to inspire action and protect our planet, with a particular focus on the preservation of water resources. By showcasing films that educate, engage, and spark conversation, we strive to foster a collective commitment to environmental stewardship and positive change.
The Little Fort Environmental Film Festival is a collaboration between our non-profit organization, the City of Waukegan, Three Brothers Theater, the new Ray Bradbury Carnegie Library, the Genesee Theater, Waukegan Parks & Recreation, Waukegan Chamber of Commerce and many more. Partner with us! We are building our community partnerships and are excited to work with Brushwood Waukegan, Sierra Club Woodlands & Prairie Chapter, Clean Power Lake County, North Chicago Rotary and several others.
Festival Co-Directors are: Susan L. Kelsey (Filmmaker & Author) and Maryilene Blondell (Filmmaker and Producer). Our board members are Diana Melichar, Joanna Rolek and Colette Woidat, CPA.
Little Fort Environmental Film Festival showcases a diverse selection of films, including feature-length, short films, and documentaries. Join us for exceptional films and Q&A sessions with filmmakers and industry professionals.
Coming soon: a new youth environmental scholarship award for 2026. Application details coming summer of 2025.
As a Lake Michigan swimmer, I recognize Lake Michigan and all of the Great Lakes as natural resources to be protected. Often I find plastic, pollution and other items under the water. I can only imagine the things I cannot even see under the water.
As I snorkel along the coast I see fossils, ancient rocks, light prisms, dancing sand ridges and curious fish. For the most part the bottom of the lake is sandy and void of large fish. Over the past 30 years I have witnessed the water becoming clearer with more zebra mussels, not a necessarily a healthy trend.
After covid and a cancer diagnosis, the water became a place of solace. It was a place where I could turn off the noise and submerge myself in nature to heal. Over the past few years I have grown to admire this 4.5 billion year old friend and find myself inspired to protect it and cherish it.
From high upon the bluff, Waukegan is one the last frontiers on Lake Michigan that has one of the most exceptional views of Lake Michigan. Little Waukegan River is a magical tributary that empty’s flush with Lake Michigan, almost like a secret passage through the city. It is upon this historic site that we can continue the tradition of protecting this place.
My dream is for kids, families and everyone to connect with water, learn about how we can protect it and ensure it will be safe and healthy for our future generations.
Little Fort | An Environmental Film Festival
Copyright © 2025 Little Fort Film Festival. All Rights Reserved. A 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization. All donations and gifts are 100% deductible under the Internal Revenue Code.