Previewing the 2026 Confluence Film Festival

Rivers coming together

A confluence can have several different configurations. It occurs when individual streams meet to source a new river or when two separated river channels rejoin downstream. “Rivers coming together is the inspiration behind the film festival,” says Molly Gross, public programs manager at the Academy of Natural Sciences, “People from different Philly organizations convene each year so passionately, we ask ourselves what are we seeing in the world and what can we do for the world?”

A variety of short films and feature length films are presented as “a call to action and a loving reminder that we don’t have to simply react to the climate crisis; we can actively shape a more just and sustainable future.” Filmmakers, community organizations and advocates spend months assembling a film program to showcase the power of film and imagine different types of climate resilience.

“It’s where film, science, and beauty intersect,” says Gross, “I’m a fan of everything we’re showing so it’s impossible to pick a favorite. I would say the one I’m excited for audiences to see is Nocturnes, a piece about the study of light trapping with moths.” This documentary feature film by director Anupama Srinivasan will be shown April 9th and focuses on an expedition to an ecological hot spot on the border of India and Bhutan.

The film festival will also allow all four organizations to expand their reach and connect with art lovers and activists across the city. Each Thursday film event will be helmed by one of the organizations. The Philadelphia Latino Arts and Film Festival (PHLAFF) was established in 2012 and founded by David Acosta & Beatriz Vieira. The celebration of heritage and inclusive storytelling not only uplifts creatives and filmmakers, it invites all audiences to consider diasporic reflections in Philadelphia.

Opening night of the film festival will feature a special Indigenous Brazilian cuisine tasting curated by Mila Romero, an artist and traditional healer whose work with The Matrescence Collective aims to tend to sacred and ceremonial spaces. In addition to refreshments, networking and the celebration of film there will be music from Philadelphia-based vibraphonist Hudson River.

“We have student tickets available at our front desk and there’s a lot of great options for families as well,” says Gross on the full lineup of films being shown, “These organizations really rally their own communities and it’s great to see everyone come together.”

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