A new UK documentary celebrating soil, food and farming is coming to independent cinemas and schools this April, thanks to farm-led charitable trust, Quorum Sense.
Six Inches of Soil tells the story of three young British farmers standing up against the industrial food system and transforming the way they produce food – to heal the soil, our health and provide for local communities.
Screenings will take place across New Zealand during the week commencing 8 April 2024 and during Organic Week (1 – 7 May) in locations including Christchurch, Cambridge, Palmerston North, Hastings, Matakana, Alexandra with further screenings to be added next week.
Filmed over three years, the documentary follows three new farmers on the first year of their regenerative agriculture journey – Anna Jackson, a Lincolnshire 11th generation arable and sheep farmer; Adrienne Gordon, a Cambridgeshire small-scale vegetable farmer; and Ben Thomas, who rears pasture-fed beef cattle in Cornwall.
As the trio strive to adopt regenerative practices and create viable businesses, they meet seasoned mentors who help them on their journey. They are joined by other experts, including New Zealand-born agroecologist, Nicole Masters, providing wisdom and solutions.
The documentary explores the connection between food and health, food poverty and affordability, the role of animals in the farming system, Britain’s unequal system of land ownership, barriers to new entrant farmers especially from diverse backgrounds and whether there is a place for carbon offsetting on farms.
Claire Mackenzie, producer of Six Inches of Soil, says she’s ‘thrilled’ to see the film screened in New Zealand.
“While this is a UK documentary, we’ve been blown away by how much it has resonated with international audiences – our first screening was at COP28,” Mackenzie says.
“We hope the film ignites discussions at a local level to find ways to move forward and create profitable food systems that benefit the community whilst looking after our and the environment in the best possible way,” she says.
Quorum Sense chair, Becks Smith says the charitable trust is excited to bring the film to New Zealand and to share its messages.
“It presents an opportunity to see how other countries are adopting a more regenerative, agroecological approach to food and farming, and to hear from farmers who are on a similar path,” Smith says.
“We hope it will stimulate meaningful discussions around the future of our food system in Aotearoa New Zealand.”
Screenings will close with an 11 minute homegrown film by visual storyteller and farmer, Deane Parker and, where possible, a panel discussion from local farmers and food producers on key themes from the documentary.
For a full list of towns and screenings, visit: https://www.quorumsense.org.nz/six-inches-of-soil-nz-film-night
Proceeds will be donated to the Quorum Sense Charitable Trust and local community groups supporting regenerative and biological food and farming systems.
