WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Missouri State University-West Plains’ annual film series will open at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, with a free showing of “The Clean Bin Project” at the West Plains Civic Center theater.

The theme for this year’s series is “A World Apart” and was inspired by the university’s common reader selection, Garbology: Our Dirty Love Affair With Trash by Edward Humes, organizers said.  The series will feature films that focus on the ideas of sustainability and the footprint humans are leaving on the earth, they added.

In “The Clean Bin Project,” a multi-award winning festival favorite, partners Jen and Grant try to answer the question, “Is it possible to live completely waste free?” by going head to head in a competition to see who can produce the least amount of garbage.  The film features laugh-out-loud moments, stop motion animations and unforgettable imagery.  Captivating interviews with renowned artist Chris Jordan and TED lecturer Captain Charles Moore make this film a fun and inspiring call to individual action that speaks to crowds of all ages.  The film is not rated.

Associate Professor of English Dr. Phil Howerton will facilitate discussion following the film’s showing.

This is the 16th year for the film series, hosted by the University/Community Programs (U/CP) Department.  Movies will be shown at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday night in February.

For more information about the annual film series, call the U/CP Department office at 417-255-7966.