Award-Winning New GMO Documentary Tours Vermont

"Modified," a new award-winning documentary that tells the story of a very personal mother-daughter investigative journey into the complex world of genetically modified foods (GMOs), will be screening in Vermont in Middlebury and Montpelier in mid October during Food Week of Action. It will also be shown in Burlington at this year's Vermont International Film Festival.

The screenings will be presented by NOFA-VT and followed by a Q & A with the film director, staff from NOFA-VT, as well as David Zuckerman, an organic farmer who also serves as the Lieutenant Governor of Vermont.

Award-winning filmmaker and PBS Food producer Aube Giroux spent 10 years documenting the grassroots battle to label GMOs. "I wanted to find out why GMOs aren't labeled here when polls show over 80 percent of Americans and Canadians are in favor, and 64 countries around the world already require that GMOs be labeled on food products."

Giroux was inspired to make the film when her mom, an avid gardener, SEED saver and food activist, raised concerns about how GMOs are regulated. Two years into the film's production, her mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor, lending urgency to their shared quest. Their poignant mother-daughter search for answers ultimately reveals the extent to which agribusiness dictates food policies. The film, which has received 10 festival awards since its release, was partially filmed in Vermont and highlights the state's historic fight for labeling, as well as Vermont's short-lived GMO labeling law which was overturned by federal legislation in 2016.

"Modified," which is also a visual celebration of food and the love of cooking, highlights recipes and cooking vignettes from the filmmaker's James Beard Award-nominated PBS farm-to-table cooking show. World-renowned chef Jacques Pépin calls the film "a very personal, tender, touching tribute and a well-researched, enlightening and powerful documentary".

October 16 at 6:30 pm - The Marquis Theater, Middlebury, VT
October 17 at 7:00 pm - The Savoy Theater, Montpelier, VT
October 19 at 4:15 pm - Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center - Burlington, VT

For a full list of screenings, please visit: www.modifiedthefilm.com