Asheville is Calling: A Climate Change Emergency, 6min., USA
Directed by Hai-Lam Phan, Olivia Mowry
Extreme weather disasters are becoming more common, more powerful, and more deadly. Today, more than ever, federal agencies that help Americans prepare, respond, and recover from natural disasters need to be fully funded and ready to act. Changes enacted by the Trump administration are leaving communities to fend for themselves against extreme weather disasters, and the oil and gas CEOs behind these fossil-fueled climate disasters are fueling, funding, and concealing it all. Americans deserve better than a government that abandons them when disaster strikes.

Get to know Producer Margaret Cooney & directors Hai-Lam Phan, Olivia Mowry

1. What motivated you to make this film?
We really wanted to show the human harms of climate change. Fossil-fueled extreme weather disasters like Hurricane Helene, lead to loss of life, homes, and businesses, but there are additional health harms and economic impacts in the aftermath that most people don't think about unless they've been through it. And the effects are long lasting. Not just weeks or even months, but in many cases it's years long recoveries.
We also wanted to show how important an entity like FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is. They are on the frontlines of rescue and response efforts. They save lives. They help communities recover. And the current Trump administration's gutting funding, response, and staff capacity of FEMA will make people more vulnerable to these climate disasters
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Around 4 months (3 months too long)

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Hai-Lam Phan: Climate Emergency
Olivia Mowry: Concisely stylized
Margaret Cooney: Human consequences

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
In the edit, this film took a while to come together. There was so much great footage but not everything could fit into a short film. But we're also in the unique situation of being part of a think tank, so beyond the story there are also policy considerations. Just as with any plot there are certain story beats that need to be hit, for our work there are also "policy beats" to hit as well.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It was amazing and we really appreciated them! What resonated with folks was exactly what we were aiming for. That it was a compelling story to tell, and that viewers took away the message that climate change is a here and now problem, not a future one, and that it's harming people and communities that look just like them. Climate change doesn't respect state or country or political boundaries, and should be a unifying issue for humanity.
As filmmakers, it can sometimes feel like you're creating in a void. Recognition from festivals as well as audience members can help validate all the creative blood, sweat, and tears.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
We all came to this work from different backgrounds - Hai as a cinematographer; Olivia as an editor and communications person; and Margaret as a scientist and policy person - but each of us believes that film and storytelling can be an instrument for positive change. Films are one of the most powerful ways we can tell stories in this day and age, and are one of the most accessible storytelling mediums.
We work for the Center for American Progress (CAP) which is a progressive policy think tank. We call the storytelling work we do, "emotional policymaking". It's the "why should we care about helping one another", and "how will this help me, my family, my community" piece; the heart of it all. That can sometimes be a key missing part of policy work - who will this effect and how will it affect them.
This kind of on-the-ground mini documentary storytelling we do can be an impactful medium to bring progressive policies to a wider audience. Because when we showcase someone telling their story the audience can always find a piece of it they can relate to, no matter how small, which connects us all. And because everyone's story is unique, we always learn something new about one another. One of our goals is to broaden the tent of people who care about progressive policies and build towards a more equitable, just, and resilient future for all.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
HP: Citizen Kane A walk to remember
OM: Casablanca
MC: E.T.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Being able to get audience feedback. It is really validating that our film resonated with so many people, and our messaging came through.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

So easy. It's a fantastic, intuitive platform with everything in one place.

10. What is your favorite meal?
HP: Pho
OM: Charcuterie board
MC: My dad's homemade lasagna

11. What is next for you? A new film?
We're currently finishing production on another mini documentary telling the story of a cancer survivor; the toxins and pollutants from the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries that are bad for our health; and the environmental protection rollbacks the current Trump administration is doing that will make us all sicker, especially children.