Earth Day Eve Film Screening: OBSERVER

Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: MSU Business Complex, Classroom N100

Cost: Free and open to the public

About the Event: Join the MSU Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences for a special Earth Day Eve screening of OBSERVER, a new documentary by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Ian Cheney (Picture a Scientist, The City Dark).

About the Film: OBSERVER is a "playful, philosophical experiment" that takes a group of keen-eyed observers—including scientists, artists, and even a hunter—to diverse locations around the globe. Often arriving without knowing their destination, these observers are asked a simple but profound question: What do you see? From the icy landscapes of Greenland to the microscopic wonders of a Seoul laboratory, the film explores the transformative power of observation. Using a small red wooden square as a literal frame for the world, Cheney invites us to slow down, rediscover the art of seeing, and find awe in the most quotidian of locales.

Why Attend? In an era of rapid environmental change, how we perceive our world is more important than ever. Come celebrate the beauty of our planet and explore how different perspectives—from a geologist to a poet—can reshape our understanding of the environment, and learn how basic geographic skills can help us understand the physical world around us.