A group of us who were involved in the Save the Happy Man Tree campaign (2020-21) set up a group we call Notice This Tree. We organise 'interventions' to coincide with the UK tour of The Happy Man Tree film.  I was thrilled when Picturehouse Cinemas selected The Happy Man Tree to tour Picturehouse and other cinemas that have signed up to the UK wide Green Screen Network, a timely initiative whereby cinemas (chains and independent cinemas) commit to screening more environmental films. 

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NoticeThisTree interventions incorporate film screenings, participatory art, projects, ecological education, and climate-cafe-style reflection spaces. Unlike the standard industry distribution strategy whereby films are screened across cinemas in a relatively short time frame, we allow time (around six to eight weeks) between screenings to give us time to connect with local people in the respective cities in advance of the screenings.   The first intervention took place at Picturehouse Finsbury Park in November 2023 and the film sold out. Subsequent screenings have taken place in Hackney, Brighton, Nottingham, Plymouth, Bristol, Sheffield - and more are planned. ​

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People who participate in Notice This Tree interventions are invited  to walk from a tree of

their choice to the cinema.  Some people walk from trees that are under threat of being felled or from the sites where trees have been felled. Others just walk from a favourite tree or one that they feel a special connection with.

 

After walking to the cinema stories of trees and insights about the natural world are shared and people contribute to our ever-evolving Mycelium Mundus banner which is worked on at each event. 

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After watching The Happy Man Tree film we reflect on the issues that are raised in the film as well as the wider issues pertaining to the ongoing Climate Crisis. 

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It is so heartening that  so many people have engaged in the interventions and have made suggestions of things to make and do.  If they are involved in local environmental campaigns we offer  them support and a platform by which to amplify their cause. 

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Take a look at the noticethistree.org website to

find out more.