About: Presented in partnership with the American Conservation Film Festival (ACFF), this program brings together a collection of short films exploring the opportunities and challenges posed by emerging technologies. Through stories touching on artificial intelligence, wildlife conservation, and data center development, the films invite audiences to consider how innovation is shaping both our communities and the natural world. Following the screening, Tia Earman of the Piedmont Environmental Council will join us for a discussion of these issues and their relevance to our region.
About the Films:
Data Center Tipping Point – As AI accelerates demand for data centers and the electricity they require, this film explores how Northern Virginia became a global hub for these massive facilities and examines the challenges surrounding their continued growth.
An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet – Electricity demand from artificial intelligence is set to quadruple in a decade, making data centers one of the fastest-growing electricity users on the planet. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau explores a new data center in Paris that utilizes the thermal energy produced to heat area homes, a greenhouse and a pool in an effort to lower its energy footprint.
aRTIFICiAL Planet – An aspiring wildlife filmmaker grapples with whether AI could render documentary filmmaking obsolete—or become a powerful tool for conservation. Featuring scientists, filmmakers, and conservationists, the film explores questions of authenticity, trust, and environmental impact in the age of artificial intelligence.
For Deer Life – In Austria’s spring meadows, the mowing season coincides with the birth season of roe deer fawns. Dedicated volunteers team up with thermal drone operators to find and rescue the fawns.
A Bottomless Reservoir of Joy – Explore the lush West Virginia woods with inspired nature illustrator Rosalie Haizlett. Peek into her studio in Elkins as she strives to portray Appalachia in a positive light and join her as she encourages school children to capture the awe around them.
Content Warning: These films are not rated. Some content may be inappropriate for children.
Our Speaker: Following the screening, we will be joined by Tia Earman, Senior Land Use Field Representative for Loudoun and Clarke Counties at the Piedmont Environmental Council. A rural land-use planner, farmer, and advocate for farmland preservation, Earman works at the intersection of conservation, growth, and development. Her expertise in zoning, land-use policy, and the challenges facing rural communities will provide valuable local context for the films' exploration of AI, data centers, and their environmental impacts.
About ACFF: The American Conservation Film Festival was created by a group of volunteers who shared both a devotion to film arts and a commitment to conservation. They also shared the belief that attitudes about the environment are shaped by our experiences in it and that people and their cultures are an essential part of Earth’s biosphere. From the outset, ACFF struck a chord with local film goers and tourists, now attracting more than 300 quality submissions each year, selecting just around 10% through a comprehensive and thoughtful jury process. Jury members include educators, film buffs, scientists, conservationists, and filmmakers. Visit conservationfilmfest.org for more information about the ACFF.
Date & Time: Friday, August 14, 2026. Doors open at 6:30 PM, and the screenings start at 7:00 PM.
Ticket Price: All tickets are general admission: $10 in advance until 3:00 PM on the day of the program or $13 at the door. Children 12 years and below are free when accompanied by an adult.
Ticket Information: Reserve tickets in advance online or by calling the Barns of Rose Hill Box Office at 540-955-2004 (hours). When our Box Office is closed, please leave a message. All ticket sales are final; no exceptions or exchanges.