An update from John Feldman, director of Symbiotic Earth

There is a growing interest in Margulis’ ideas reflected in requests for screenings of Symbiotic Earth over the past year by museums, conferences and festivals in China, Taiwan, Germany, Romania, Spain, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the US. In October-November 2021 alone, there were many exciting screenings and discussions of Symbiotic Earth and Margulis’ science.

On Sunday, November 7, Symbiotic Earth was screened at COP26 in Glasgow as part of SHEFFIELD DOCFEST: Beyond Our Own Eyes Weekender. Sheffield DocFest stated in their program: “Margulis’ symbiotic narrative, and the Gaia Theory that all life is interdependent, present an alternative to the destructive worldview that has led to climate change.”

On Monday, October 18, Symbiotic Earth was screened as part of the 14th Imagine Science Film Festival. From November 15-30, Symbiotic Earth was part of the Imagine Science Film Festival’s “Retelling Resistance” program on Labocine, which highlights favorite festival films.

In Spain, science filmmaker Rubén Duro organized multiple screenings in honor of Margulis:

  • Tuesday, November 23, at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Facultat de Biociènciesos, Barcelona. Screening was followed by a discussion on “The Implications of the theories of Lynn Margulis” with Rubén Duro. This event was part of a series of talks and film screenings curated by Ruben and Jordi Vilardell titled “Cooperation, an evolutionary force” to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Lynn Margulis’ death.
  • Monday, November 22 at CosmoCaixa Museum of Science, Barcelona. Screening was followed by a discussion titled “Symbiosis: an evolutionary force.” Roundtable participants were Eva Barreno (lichens), Iñaki Ruiz-Trillo (evolution of eukaryotic cell), Bego Vendrell (marine biology) and Ricard Guerrero (microbiology). The moderator was Pere Estupinyà (science writer and presenter of TV science programs). See website
  • Thursday, October 28 at Aita Mari Cinema, Zumaia, Gipuzkoa. Screening was followed by discussion with Rubén Duro Pérez. With Euskara (Basque) subtitles.
  • Friday, October 15 at Can Fugarolas, Mataro, Barcelona.  Screening was followed by a colloquium with Rubén Duro Pérez and attendants.

I am so appreciative of Ruben’s effort to organize these screenings and other events honoring Margulis. Ruben is also doing amazing cinematography of the soil microbiota for my new film Regenerating Life, which is currently in post-production.

The tenth anniversary of Lynn Margulis’ death on November 22, 2021 was a sad occasion, but I am confident that Lynn Margulis’ work will inspire and radicalize the next generations of thinkers.