When: Tuesday, September 29, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Tryon Theatre, 45 S. Trade St., Tryon, NC 28782

Join us for a free community movie night – a collaboration of Conserving Carolina, The Gardening For Life Project, and the Congregational Church, UCC in Tryon.

Fantastic Fungi is a descriptive time-lapse journey about the magical, mysterious and medicinal world of fungi and their power to heal, sustain and contribute to the regeneration of life on Earth that began 3.5 billion years ago.

This documentary takes viewers into the hidden world of fungi through stunning time-lapse photography, interviews with mycologists, ecologists, physicians, and other experts, and exploration of the remarkable networks of fungal mycelium beneath our feet. The film looks at fungi’s roles in ecosystems, their relationships with plants, their potential applications in medicine and environmental restoration, and the ways fungi can help us rethink our relationship with the natural world.

One of the film’s biggest strengths is making the invisible visible. Much of a fungus exists as microscopic or threadlike mycelium underground or within decaying material; the mushroom is simply the reproductive structure that we happen to notice. The film uses beautiful time-lapse imagery to reveal this hidden world and encourage viewers to think about forests and soils as interconnected living systems.

Why are fungi so important?

1. They are nature’s recyclers.
Fungi are among the most important decomposers on Earth. They break down dead plants, wood, leaves, and other organic material, releasing nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus back into ecosystems where they can be used again. Fungi are particularly good at breaking down tough compounds such as cellulose and lignin.

2. They help plants get what they need.
Many plants form partnerships with fungi called mycorrhizae. Fungal threads extend far beyond plant roots and can help plants obtain water and nutrients from the soil. In return, the plant provides the fungus with sugars produced through photosynthesis. An estimated 80–90% of plant species have mycorrhizal partners.

3. They are fundamental to healthy forests.
Fungal networks are an important part of the soil food web and influence nutrient cycling, plant productivity, decomposition, and carbon storage. Recent research continues to demonstrate just how important fungal communities are to the functioning of forest and soil ecosystems.

4. They connect plants and ecosystems.
Mycorrhizal fungi create extensive networks of hyphae throughout soil. These networks can connect plants and facilitate the movement of nutrients and carbon. Fantastic Fungi emphasizes this interconnectedness, including the work of forest ecologist Suzanne Simard on relationships among trees and fungal networks.

5. They influence the carbon cycle.
Fungi both decompose organic matter and contribute to the formation and storage of organic carbon in soils. Their activity can therefore influence how carbon moves between living organisms, soil, and the atmosphere.

6. They support wildlife.
Fungi aren’t just important to plants. They are food for insects, other invertebrates, mammals, and microorganisms, making them an important part of food webs.

7. They have enormous importance to humans.
Fungi provide us with food, fermentation, medicines, and compounds that have inspired medical research. The film explores the potential of fungi in medicine and human health, although some of the film’s more forward-looking claims are best viewed as areas of research rather than established treatments.

8. They may help us address environmental problems.
Researchers are investigating fungi for applications such as breaking down pollutants, restoring degraded environments, and developing sustainable materials. The film highlights some of these possibilities, including fungi’s potential for environmental remediation.

View the trailer here.

For more information or questions, contact pam@conservingcarolina.org.