Learning impact of ‘planting hope’—a place-based documentary about Sudbury’s regreening efforts

Abstract

This study explores the learning impact of a newly released place-based environmental documentary titled ‘Planting Hope’ by measuring audience perceptions of the film. Produced by Science North, this film showcases how Sudbury has been transformed from a land severely polluted by traditional mining into a flourishing, eco-innovative region over the past five decades, through the collaborative efforts of local communities, experts, government agencies, and Indigenous advisors. Based on constructivist learning theory and guided by concepts of environmental storytelling and place identity, this study takes the communication objectives of the film as a reference framework to examine how audiences process and personalise environmental information embedded in local stories in the informal science learning context, namely, actively watching a documentary on environmental themes. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, collecting data from 18 Sudbury adult residents through a digital questionnaire combining closed- and open-ended questions. Descriptive analysis of the quantitative results reveals overall trends in audience emotional responses and knowledge recall. From the researcher’s unique perspective, thematic analysis of the qualitative data categorises more nuanced responses into four key themes: emotional resonance, knowledge retention, identity affirmation, and prospects for the local future. This research concludes that this film not only successfully communicates the essential science and community collaboration involved in Sudbury’s regreening project, which aligns with the film’s intended communication goals, but also deepens some viewers’ connection and sense of belonging to Sudbury.