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155 films. 56 venues. 13 days. One mission: "to gain fresh insights, through the power of film, into the problems and the progress being made to protect life on our planet" [source]. Speaking of problems and progress, this year's theme is the connection between food and the environment.

With so many film options to choose from, where do you start? Let Trail Voice be your Siskel & Ebert...

Local Flavor

Not surprisingly, many environmental films take place in or around Washington DC. For some of the best local flavor, check out the following films:

Who Killed Crassostrea Virginica? (3/21) - Chesapeake Bay oyster populationCoal Country (3/23) - Mountaintop removal mining in West Virginia Nora! (3/23) - Featuring Nora Pouillon of Restaurant Nora fame

Meet the Director

When was the last time James Cameron showed up at your Avatar screening? Didn't think so. The films listed below will feature Q&A sessions with the Director (comprehensive list).

The Green House: Design It. Build It. Live It. (3/17) - Set in McLean, VirginiaDirt! The Movie (3/20) - Celebrating the fertility of soilLunch (3/22) - Critical examination of school-food programs

Award Winners

Everybody loves a winner. That's why we don't cheer for Washington sports teams (except the Caps of course). These three films have each received special recognition:

GasLand (3/16) - Special Jury Prize, Sundance Film FestivalUp (3/20) - Best Picture nominee for the OscarsThe Legend of Pale Male (3/27) - Best of Festival, Wild & Scenic Film Festival

Parks

If you like parks, then you'll love Trail Voice. But you may also love...

Out of Yellowstone (3/23) - Migrating herds in YellowstoneAfrica's Lost Eden (3/24) - Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park

Wildlife

From The Lion King to Planet Earth, wildlife on the silver screen never ceases to amaze. Grizzlies, turtles, and frogs are just a few of the stars:

Expedition Wild (3/19) - Grizzly bears in the wildTurtle: The Incredible Journey (3/21) - One loggerhead turtle's journeyFrogs: The Thin Green Line (3/26) - Frogs and the threat of extinction

For some additional festival ideas, read what our friends, We Love DC and Going Green DC, have to say on the subject. Which films are you excited to see? Let us know on our Facebook page.

Social Media: Facebook, Twitter

Our city blossoms

No other Washington DC event celebrates the city quite like the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Kicking off this Saturday, March 27th, and extending through Sunday, April 11th, the festival celebrates a specific contingent of flora known as Sakura - or Japanese cherry trees. The cherry trees dot the National Mall and East Potomac Park - ground zero of pink power is the Tidal Basin. The best way to see the DC cherry blossoms is on your two feet of course, but it’s not the only way…

Experience the BlossomsRent a paddle boat: Tidal Basin Paddleboats, now accepting peak-time reservations, rents at a rate of $10/hour for a two-person rig and $18/hour for four.Join a Blossoms by Bike tour: $32 for adults and $22 for children for a two hour guided tour with Bike the Sites (rental and all gear included). Or map out your own "Lost Blossom" ride. If you want to ditch the bike, no worries, WABA will stash it.Run the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run: The field is set - are you running? You can still be a part of the action as a volunteer. More Blossom EventsLantern Walks: Cherry Blossoms under the stars - guided hikes are Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday during the festival from 8 PM to 10 PMFirewoks Show: First fireworks of the season blast off on Saturday, April 3rd at 8:30 PM. Arrive early for the Prelude.Smithsonian Kite Festival: Go fly a kite - if you have what it takes.

For two weeks every year, Washington DC oozes shades of pink and white. The blossoms are gone before you know it, but it's one heck of a party while it lasts.

- Image courtesy Flickr CC user Michael Foley Photography