NEW SHORT DOCUMENTARY “UP THE GREEN” SHARES VERMONT GREEN FOOTBALL CLUB’S PITCH FOR A SUSTAINABLE & SOCIALLY JUST WORLD
Film Premieres on June 1 at Higher Ground, Followed by International Online Release
Burlington, VT (June 1, 2023) – SunCommon, an iSun company and Certified B Corporation, announces the official premiere and release of its first short documentary film, “Up the Green,” which shares the story of Vermont Green Football Club’s inaugural season. The film will debut on June 1 at Higher Ground in South Burlington, Vermont, at a live taping of the Men in Blazers podcast, followed by an online release on YouTube.
The film answers the question: Can a football club be a force for good?
The short documentary (12 minutes) tells the incredible story of how a start-up club driven by a love for football and a commitment to social and environmental justice sees a shared dream among a few friends grow into something beyond their wildest expectations as the community rallies around VGFC’s mission over the course of their first official season.
“I saw this film as an opportunity to illustrate the importance of community in light of the climate crisis,” said Patrick McCormack, filmmaker. “When we first met the VGFC players and founders, it seemed like the beginning of something locally impactful that the global sports community could benefit from observing. As we attended more games, practices, and events, it was clear that the way the fans locked onto the mission seemed to be fueling wins on the field, and the local excitement surrounding the team signaled a clear demand for more climate conscious sport communities,” he added.
McCormack is a Vermont-based photographer and the Creative Director of the Climate Action Film Festival. Through his role as SunCommon’s Senior Manager of Storytelling, he aims to spotlight the communities, workers, and activists that make up the transition to clean energy in Vermont and New York. He partnered with long-time collaborator Duane Peterson III, who edited Up The Green and is known for his recent film No Other Lake (2022).
“Our inaugural season was an adventure, and we’re so proud of what we were able to accomplish alongside our community, our players and staff, and our partners,” said Patrick Infurna, Vermont Green FC cofounder. “Vermont Green FC’s mission is at the center of everything we do, and SunCommon’s film ‘Up the Green’ captures the essence of the club, as well as the community that’s formed around it, in such an authentic and meaningful way. We’re beyond grateful to have our story told and to see the mission amplified even further.”
King Street Center, one of VGFC’s first community partners and nonprofit serving children ages 18 months to 18 years through its early education and K-12 youth development after school programming, is featured in the film. “Thanks to VGCF, our teens have had an incredible opportunity to learn about the importance of environmental justice in a way they can connect to and through a sport many of them love. This is exactly how all of us should engage our young people in changing the world, ” notes Shabnam Nolan, Executive Director of KSC.
The film will go live on SunCommon’s YouTube channel on June 1, 2023 at 8 p.m., accessible at https://www.youtube.com/suncommon. SunCommon is the title sponsor of Vermont Green FC.
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ABOUT SUNCOMMON
SunCommon, an iSun company, is a Certified B Corp that believes business should create positive change and help solve the world’s biggest problems. We are on a mission to accelerate the transition to solar power in our communities because ensuring a habitable planet is the most important work of our lifetimes. We offer solar and battery storage solutions to homes and businesses throughout Vermont and New York’s Hudson Valley & Capital Region. It’s easy to take the first step towards a brighter future with SunCommon: visit www.suncommon.com and follow us on Instagram (@suncommon) and Facebook (@suncommon).
ABOUT VERMONT GREEN FOOTBALL CLUB
Vermont Green Football Club is a men’s soccer club that kicked off its inaugural season in May 2022. The club competes in USL League Two and plays home matches at the University of Vermont’s Virtue Field.
The club is embarking on an ambitious mission to embed environmental justice into its competitive strategy, operational processes, and culture. The club believes soccer can be a powerful catalyst for a more environmentally sustainable and socially just world.
Learn more about the club at www.vermontgreenfc.com and follow along on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.