Series

Seeds: A Film Series

a three-part cinematic meditation
ON VIEW NOW

Wild Relatives by Jumana Manna

Part one of a three-part film series

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Active Cultures and Now Instant present Seeds, a three-part cinematic meditation on new beginnings, hidden power, and pivotal transformation. 

Seeds are more than sources of nourishment. They hold ancestral memory: essential for preserving biodiversity, food sovereignty, and cultural heritage, resisting colonial displacement and destruction. These tiny vessels are also powerful symbols. Moving beyond the botanical, this artist-led film series delves into life’s eternal cycles, the strength of resilience, the wonder of germination, and the quiet wisdom found in dormancy.

The series begins with Jumana Manna’s Wild Relatives (2018), tracing the intricate journey of seed distribution from Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley to the global seed vault in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. The program is followed by a discussion with Nina Raj, founder and steward of Altadena Seed Library, as we talk about seed banking, the importance of biodiversity, and the vital role our community plays in restoring local ecosystems.

The subsequent two installments, scheduled for winter 2025 and spring 2026, feature artist-curated films that engage with this expansive framework. Each screening will be accompanied by a discussion between the artist and an invited guest speaker.

About Now Instant

Now Instant is a cinema and bookstore in Chinatown, Los Angeles.

Credits

Active Cultures is sustained through the generous support of the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture; the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs; the Getty Foundation; the Jerry & Terri Kohl Family Foundation; the Maurice Marciano Family Foundation; the Offield Family Foundation; Teiger Foundation; the Wilhelm Family Foundation; James Cohan Gallery; Who Wants To Be A Millionaire/ABC; William Grant & Sons; Active Cultures’ Board of Directors; the Members Circle Annual Fund; Green Art Lab Alliance (GALA); and the Los Angeles Visual Arts (LAVA) Coalition.

This series is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.