• UNC Asheville hosts a free screening of Go Public: A Day in the Life of an American School District in room 221 of the Highsmith Union on Thursday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. The 90-minute documentary examines the Pasadena Unified School District in California. avl.mx/26z
• The Liston B. Ramsey Center for Regional Studies at Mars Hill University continues its semesterlong theme of exploring Southern Appalachian forests with a free screening of the new documentary America’s First Forest: Carl Schenck and the Asheville Experiment. The event will be the first in the newly reopened Mars Hill Radio Theatre, formerly the Mars Theatre, in downtown Mars Hill, on Thursday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. Due to limited seating, reservations are required. Contact Hannah Furgiuele at 689-1571 or hfurgiuele@mhu.edu to ensure a spot.
America’s First Forest recounts legendary German forester Carl Schenck’s work at the Biltmore Estate and how his efforts helped launch the American conservation movement. James Lewis, an executive producer, historical consultant and writer for the film, will participate in a postfilm discussion with former MHU professor of history Kathryn Newfont, who currently teaches at the University of Kentucky. mhu.edu/ramsey-center
• The West Asheville Library presents a screening of The Iron Giant on Friday, Feb. 12, at 4 p.m. Free and open to the public. avl.mx/1z5
• The Carolina Cinemas is streaming the TED 2016 opening night session on Monday, Feb. 15, at 8 p.m. The event marks the first time TED has partnered with various cinemas to bring TED Talks to the general public. Tickets are $20 and available online and at the Carolina box office. avl.mx/26y
• In conjunction with Salman Rushdie’s visit to UNC Asheville, the Highsmith Union Grotto hosts a screening of Midnight’s Children — Deepa Mehta’s 2012 film adaptation of Rushdie’s novel — on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. The film follows the lives of children born at the stroke of midnight as British rule ended and India and Pakistan were partitioned. Free and open to the public. unca.edu
• The submission deadline for the inaugural Boone Film Festival has been extended to Friday, March 18. Films will be judged in Appalachian Culture, Appalachian Adventure and Appalachian Environment categories. Awards will be given to Best In Show Appalachian Region Film ($1,000 cash prize), Best Culture Film ($500), Best Adventure Film ($500), Best Environment Film ($500, sponsored by the Appalachian State University environmental sciences department) and Best Youth Film Submission ($250 and a scholarship prize to work with professional Wonderland Woods Productions on skills development). A winner’s showcase event will take place in Boone on a to-be-determined date in April. boonefilmfestival.com
