Witness a film on the largest and oldest organisms alive today. Fungi brought life back to Earth after the last mass extinction, and their untapped power have the potential to help our species to survive on our poisoned, depleted and warmer planet. In the context of evolution and natural history, scientists are looking at fungi and making life-changing discoveries. Some fungi will save us, others will threaten us, and we are just beginning to differentiate between the two.

Following the screening, join artist Diego Bonetto for a Q&A, reflecting on the themes and ideas explored in the documentary.

Presented as a part of Conversation Starters 2019: Temperature Rising, a weekend of art, discussion and action.

About the film

Year: 2018
Director: Annamaria Talas and Simon Nasht
Duration: 52 minutes
Recommended rating: G

About the speaker

Diego Bonetto is an artist, forager, speaker, keen naturalist and award-winning cultural worker based in Sydney. His work enables convivial conversations around belonging, sustainability and agency. He offers an alternative for people to re-engage with their neighbourhoods, streets and footpaths through edible adventures.

With environmental art campaigns such as WeedyConnection and Wild Stories, he has shared insights into edible and medicinal wild plants in Australia and fostered culturally aware interpretations of landscape. Bonetto regularly offers workshops, foraging tours and events that reframe environmental identity and stewardship. He collaborates extensively with chefs, dancers, media art practitioners, journalists and academics, craft workers, herbalists, brewers, educators, landowners and elders.