In Cod We Trust: Film Screening & Panel Discussion
Saturday, August 19
1:00 p.m.
CAM Auditorium, 27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA
Free for members, $10 for non-members
This year, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has designated August as Gloucester Fisheries Heritage Month in honor of the Gloucester 400+ Anniversary. Gloucester is home to one of the oldest and largest fishing communities in the United States. Generations of immigrants, including Sicilians and Portuguese, have worked on the rough waters of New England since the late 1600s, but recent changes in government regulations and ocean temperatures have endangered their tradition. Young aspiring fishermen are now scarce, and the history of this once prolific community is in jeopardy. Those who have fished for cod and its relative species look to stay alive despite a gloomy future.
"In Cod, We Trust" is an 18-minute documentary film that explores the history, legacy, present, and future of the Gloucester fishing industry Currently on a festival run, it has won film awards such as Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, Salem Film Fest, and Redstone Film Festival and was nominated and screened at a number of film festivals including Montreal Independent Film Festival. The film includes interviews with the Gloucester Fisheries Director Al Cottone, the Gloucester Fishermen's Wives Association President Angela Sanfilippo, and many others from the community.
This public screening of the short film will be followed by a panel discussion with the fishers and the locals to provide an opportunity for visitors as well as locals to celebrate and discuss the legacy and the future of one of America's oldest fishing communities.