River of Grass

Step into the complex world of Florida's most iconic ecosystem through an intimate documentary exploration. River of Grass, screening as part of the Miami Film Festival's Directed by Women category, will have its Florida premiere on Wednesday, April 9 at Regal South Beach, with director Sasha Wortzel in attendance.

This documentary serves as a thoughtful tribute to the Florida Everglades, weaving together the influential environmental writings of Marjory Stoneman Douglas with contemporary perspectives from Miccosukee educator Betty Osceola and current residents of the region. Following a hurricane that damages her home, the film's narrator (director Wortzel) turns to Douglas's landmark 1947 book The Everglades: River of Grass to understand the area's historical context, while also embarking on a meaningful journey with Osceola to envision potential futures.

The film blends passages from Douglas's pioneering work with personal narration, present-day footage, archival materials and atmospheric landscapes. Through these elements, River of Grass examines how America's foundational history continues to shape current environmental and social realities, ultimately raising questions about collective resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

The screening offers audiences an opportunity to engage with urgent environmental themes through a distinctly Florida lens, connecting historical advocacy with present-day conservation efforts.