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Food Evolution is the 2016 American Documentary film by academy nominated director Scott Hamilton Kennedy and producer Trace Sheehan. Narrated by Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Food Evolution tackles the schism that has has arisen between scientists and consumers over how to feed our expanding population safely and sustainably.

Synopsis
Food Evolution follows the controversy surrounding GMOs and food. Traveling from Hawaiian papaya groves, to banana farms in Uganda to the cornfields of Iowa, the film discusses the emotions and the science behind food production. Food Evolution follows advocates for and against GMOs as they each claim science is on their side. It also follows specific cases amongst local legislation within the United States and in Africa, addressing how misinformation and fear can overwhelm objective analysis. Topics in the film range from: food safety, environmental protection, population demand, pesticide use, and general health surrounding GMOs. Through each topic, the film analyzes what data, evidence and sources are being used to argue one way or the other. People featured in the film, in order of appearance, include Margaret Wille, Jeffrey Smith, Charles Benbrooke, Dennis Gonsalves, Alison Van Eenennaam, Pamela Ronald, Nathanael Johnson, Emma Naluyima Mugerwa, Mark Lynas, Zen Honeycut, and Raoul Adamchak. It also features interviews from Michael Pollan, Andrew Kimbrell, Vandana Shiva, Robert Fraley, Marion Nestle and Bill Nye, as well as farmers and scientists from around the world. Food Evolution essentially attempts to distinguish between emotion and science to unravel the debate around food, and help audiences reach their own conclusions.

Production
Prior to production, Food Evolution director and producers conducted over 100 Skype interviews with experts in food, science, agriculture, and activism. After thorough research, filming began around the world, from Hawaii to Kenya, with Larkin Donley as cinematographer.  Editors included Alex Blatt, Scott D. Hanson, and Scott Hamilton Kennedy with music by William Kingswood. 

Reception
The film first premiered at the Doc NYC festival in November 2016. . It has since been critically acclaimed as,”A polished and provocative call for activists to be as scientifically minded as they believe they are,” (John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter). Daniel Gold of the New York times said, “With a soft tone, respectful to opponents but insistent on the data, "Food Evolution" posits an inconvenient truth for organic boosters to swallow: In a world desperate for safe, sustainable food, G.M.O.s may well be a force for good.” Kenneth Turan of the LA times describes the film as, “the unusual issue film that deals in counterintuitive reason rather than barely controlled hysteria.” Serena Donadoni of LA Weekly referred to it as a, “scrupulous, optimistic documentary” describing, “the new reality for American scientists: the challenge of reaching a public bombarded by conspiracy theories and fear mongering.” It was also chosen as a Critic’s pick by the New York Times and is currently listed at 100% on rotten tomatoes.  The film is still receiving great success even after its theatrical release, screening in over 200 locations around the globe. 