From historic giants to neighborhood landmarks, Portland’s trees inspire affection and, in some cases, passionate activism. The sagas behind some of Portland’s trees are told in “Canopy Stories,” an anthology of 12 films made by 11 Portland filmmakers.

“Canopy Stories” comes from NW Documentary, which offers workshops and support for nonfiction storytellers. The program will be presented in two parts over four nights, as part of the latest offering in the “Portland Circuit,” which teams the OregonMade Creative Foundation with the Northwest Film Center, the Hollywood Theatre, Clinton Street Theater and Cinema 21.

“The Portland Circuit” is designed to provide a concentrated theatrical distribution window for locally produced work.

Part I of “Canopy Stories” will play July 8 at the Hollywood Theatre, and again on July 10 at Cinema 21. The films included in the 85-minute Part I are “Rosa’s Tree,” by David-Paul B. Hedberg; “A Lone Pioneer,” by Chelsea Smith; “One Magnificent Maple,” by Todd Baize; “Palm Portland,” by Kia Anne Geraths; “Tree Death,” by Sam Gaty; “Giants,” by Luz Carasa; and “Heroes and Villains,” by David-Paul B. Hedberg.

“Canopy Stories” Part II plays July 9 at Clinton Street Theater and again on July 11 in the Whitsell Auditorium at the Northwest Film Center. The 98-minute programs includes another showing of “Rosa’s Tree,” by David-Paul B. Hedberg; “The Seven-Thousand Trees of Dharma Rain,” by Christopher Baier; “No More Dope Parties,” by Cambria Matlow; “The Lost Redwood,” by Jesse Andrew Clark; “The Activist Tree,” by Zoe Gieringer; “82nd & Verdant,” by James Krzmarzick; and another showing of “Heroes and Villains,” by David-Paul B. Hedberg.

Each screening will be followed by a question-and-answer period, featuring speakers from area environmental and community organizations. All screenings start at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased from the individual theaters.

Descriptions of each “Canopy Stories” film can be found at the “Canopy Stories Film” website (https://www.canopystoriesfilm.com). Portlanders will recall the story, for example, behind “Giants,” which examines the community activism that arose after a company bought a property in the Eastmoreland neighborhood, with building plans that called for cutting down three giant sequoias.

Less contentious sounding is the story of “One Magnificent Maple,” which focuses on a big leaf maple tree on the corner of Northeast Knott Street and 15th Avenue, and looks at the history of families that lived nearby.

-- Kristi Turnquist

kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist

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