Award-winning environmental documentary to be screened at Bob Graham Center

February 9, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The award-winning environmental documentary “Fuel” will be screened Tuesday (Feb. 15) at the University of Florida’s Bob Graham Center for Public Service.

The film is a highly critical, in-depth, personal journey that examines a host of energy answers to America’s oil addiction, as well as offering a devastating critique of the U.S. auto and petroleum industries’ role in resisting change.

Writer-director Josh Tickell and producer Rebecca Harrell Tickell will answer questions following the screening. The free program starts at 5:30 p.m. in Pugh Hall’s Ocora.

Tickell, a first-time director, began the journey resulting in the film after watching members of his family suffer from pollution-related cancers as a result of living near petroleum refineries in Louisiana. In 1997, he set out on the road with a biodiesel powered “Veggie Van” and a video camera and began filming what would eventually become known as “Fuel.”

“I wanted to make a film about the serious challenges we face and ultimately about the power of every individual to make a difference,” said Tickell, whose stop in Gainesville is part of a multi-city tour with the film. He routinely travels to screen the film using biodiesel vehicles. His goal, Tickell said, is to “green the vote” of America by getting everyday people, along with politicians and energy companies, to support a 10-year plan that will transition America to renewable energy.

Harrell Tickell is a veteran producer and musician who specializes in youth activism, education and the environment. She co-directs The Veggie Van Organization, a national nonprofit dedicated to education about sustainable energy.

“Fuel” has won numerous awards since its 2008 release, including the audience award at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

The showing follows the release of the final report of the presidential commission investigating the BP oil spill, which was co-chaired by former U.S. Sen. and former Florida Gov. Bob Graham. The spill, which released an estimated 205 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, is considered the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history.

The Bob Graham Center for Public Service is a community of students, scholars and politically engaged citizens, devoted to enhanced citizenship; the training of current and future public and civic leaders who can identify problems and spearhead change; and the development of policy on issues of importance to Florida, the United States and the global community.