River of Grass

An alligator swims in murky water. Sasha Wortzel, River of Grass, 2025 

Sunday, May 4
3:30 pm | Kaufmann Theater
New York Premiere 

Director in Attendance: Sasha Wortzel 
2025 | 83 min | USA  

There is no place in the world quite like the Everglades, which serves a fundamental role in the Florida ecosystem. Betty Osceola, a member of the Miccosukee tribe, has defended the Floridian swamplands for decades against fracking, agribusiness, and water pollution, protesting swamp drainage with multi-day prayer walks along major highways. The film’s title evokes a Miccosukee phrase describing the Everglades, emphasizing the region’s natural resilience in the face of climate devastation.  

The screening will be followed by a talkback with director Sasha Wortzel, moderated by editor, writer, and producer Dessane Lopez Cassell. 

Co-presented with the International Center of Photography. 

Check out the full Margaret Mead Film Festival schedule.