From disappearing frogs and Alaskan fisheries to Gypsy herbs and West African deforestation, filmmakers will talk about their artistic visions at the third annual Environmental Film Festival Oct. 22-28 at Cornell.

Fifteen films and discussions by five filmmakers are included in the festival, sponsored by the Cornell University Center for the Environment, Cornell Cinema and the Einaudi Center for International Studies. The films will be introduced by the filmmakers or by experts on the film's topics. Many evening screenings will be followed by receptions for audiences to discuss the films and talk with the filmmaker and speakers.

Most events are free, unless otherwise noted, and all are open to the public. More information can be found at the festival's website http://www.cfe.cornell.edu/filmfest/ or by calling (607) 255-5245.

"This film festival provides much more than simple entertainment," according to Christopher Riley, festival coordinator. "We want, even encourage, discussion about the issues behind the films."

Scheduled screenings include:

• Friday, Oct. 22: "Dutch Harbor: Where the Sea Breaks its Back" with independent filmmakers Braden King and Laura Moya, 7:15 p.m. Willard Straight Theatre, followed by a reception in the Willard Straight Art Gallery. Documentary explores the bleak solitude of life in an economically depressed Alaskan fishing town. Admission is $4.50 and $4.00 for students, seniors and children.
• Saturday, Oct. 23: "Animated Shorts Program" with Adam Smith, local storyteller, 2:30 p.m., Willard Straight Theatre. Program of animated short films is recommended for ages 8 and up. Featured films include "Banjo Frogs," " Creature Comforts" and "The Common Sense of the Wisdom Tree."
• Saturday, Oct. 23: "Rat," with filmmaker Mark Lewis, 4:30 p.m., Goldwin Smith D. An inventive, and often humorous, award-winning documentary about the rats of New York City.
• Saturday, October 23: "Louisiana Story" with Professor Robert Ascher, Anthropology, 7:15 p.m., Willard Straight Theatre, followed by a reception in the Willard Straight Art Gallery. A new print of a classic environmental film about the arrival of an oil refinery in a small Louisiana town.
• Sunday, Oct. 24: "Three Gardeners" with a Charles Mazza, Community Horticulture Program, 2:30 p.m., Willard Straight Theatre. An insightful journey through the gardens of three men living in Stockholm, Perigord, and Touraine.
• Sunday, Oct. 24: "The Last Frog" with filmmaker Allison Argo, 4:30 p.m., Willard Straight Theatre. An incisive documentary about the disappearance of frog populations.
• Sunday, October 24: "Himatsuri (Fire Festival)" with Professor Jane Marie Law, East Asia Studies, 7:30 p.m., Uris Hall Theatre. A moving film about modernization in Japan. Cosponsored by the East Asia Program and the Pentangle Program.
• Monday, Oct. 25: "Power: The James Bay Crees vs. Hydro-Quebec" with Michael Doxtater, researcher, American Indian Program, 4:00 p.m., Willard Straight Theatre. An award-winning documentary about the battle to save the Great Whale River. Cosponsored by the International Studies in Planning Program and the American Indian Program.
• Monday, Oct. 25: "Juliette of the Herbs" with filmmaker Tish Streeten, 7:30 p.m., Goldwin Smith D. The life of pioneering Gypsy herbalist Juliette de Bairacli Levy. Reception to follow.
• Tuesday, Oct. 26: "Father, Son and Holy Torum" with Professor Thomas Shevory, Environmental Studies, Ithaca College, 7:30 p.m., Textor Hall, Ithaca College. A gripping drama about the Khanty people of Western Siberia. Cosponsored by the departments of environmental studies and political science at Ithaca College.-- Tuesday, Oct. 26: "Second Nature" with filmmakers Melissa Leach and James Fairhead via live video feed, 4:30 p.m., 115 Ives Hall. A documentary about the deforestation crisis in West Africa. Cosponsored by Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development..
• Wednesday, Oct. 27: "Eternal Seed" with panel discussion, 4:00 p.m., Willard Straight Theatre. An award-winning documentary about traditional women's farming methods in India. Cosponsored by the South Asia Program and the International Agriculture Program.
• Wednesday, Oct. 27: "My Father's Garden" with Professor David Pimentel, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 7:30 p.m., Goldwin Smith D. A personal documentary about the conflict between chemical and organic farming.
• Thursday, Oct. 28: "Beetlemania" with Professor Tom Eisner, Neurobiology and Behavior, 4:30 p.m., Willard Straight Theatre. The life of the strongest creature on earth is explored in this entertaining documentary.
• Thursday, Oct. 28: "Der Platz" with Werner Goehner, professor of architecture, 7:15 p.m., Willard Straight Theatre. A visionary film about Europe's largest construction site. Cosponsored by the Department of City and Regional Planning. Admission is $4.50 and $4.00 for students, seniors and children.