During West Virginia's 2014 Elk River chemical spill, a first-generation college student, charged with the care of her rebellious younger sister, instead becomes consumed by an issue with their water supply.

Woodstock Film Festival, Cucalorus Film Festival, Citizen Jane Film Festival, Columbia University Film Festival, Chesapeake Film Festival, Lone Star Film Festival, North Shore Towers Film Festival, Beloit International Film Festival, March on Washington Film Festival, Green Mountain Film Festival, Tupelo Film Festival

Director's statement
I wanted to tell a story set in my family's home state of West Virginia for quite some time when I began working on Crick in the Holler, my 2017 Columbia University MFA thesis film. The 2014 Elk River chemical spill incited a water crisis that left roughly a third of the state's population without potable water, but received very little national attention. It seemed like the perfect backdrop for exploring polarized reactions towards environmental crisis within one West Virginia family, while also raising awareness about the true-life events of the spill. Dawn, the film's protagonist, is a determined, intelligent young woman who goes to great lengths to help her family in a moment of urgency and uncertainty, using all resources at her disposal. These are qualities I've observed in many young West Virginians, and I hope the film gives insight into the complexities of the region and how someone with a need for agency like Dawn might react to a seemingly insurmountable catastrophe.
This is part of our TechStars August playlist.
Other titles you might like
Over the course of 17 years, Alvin Tsang confronts memories of migration and images of his once intact family.
An eight-year-old girl on scholarship at an elite private school discovers the world isn't fair.
When a voice actress discovers the cartoon she built her career on is being remade, she's determined to reprise her role.
More from the TechStars August Playlist...

Deciding what to watch? Take our personality quiz and we’ll curate a set just for you. Get ready to meet your match.
Take the quizDeciding what to watch? Take our personality quiz and we’ll curate a set just for you. Get ready to meet your match.


Maxed out on reruns? Tired of endlessly searching for a movie? Let’s help you discover some fresh new voices.

Quiz Progress
{{ question.text }}
Calculating your results
Pick a place to start!
Save one (or more!) films from your results.
Watch ‘em free.
You've got a whole month to watch.
Find your own faves!
The results are just the tip of the cinematic iceberg! Continue your journey through our library with unlimited access for plans starting from $3 a month. No strings attached.
Oops, you have to be signed in first!
You have to be a full Seed&Spark member to watch! Join for 1 free month or log in.
For plans starting from $3 a month, you get unlimited streaming to all our original movies and shows, while supporting independent creators! Seed&Spark pays out more per minute watched than almost anywhere else. Because supporting creators matters.
By continuing, you agree to our terms of use & privacy policy.
You must be a subscriber to watch. Join today & get a free month!
Support artists
Seed&Spark pays filmmakers hundreds of time more than other streaming platforms, and you benefit when they retain creative control.
Commitment-free
Take us for a free test drive with a month to watch everything you want. Not your jam? Cancel anytime, seriously. No tricky stuff.
Watch anywhere
Watch on mobile, tablet, computer or TV (Roku). Watch shorts on-the-go or binge your favorite series on a big screen all weekend.
Nice! Account created. One more step: membership starts at $3 a month, and you can cancel anytime!
You're upgrading to become a full Seed&Spark member! Membership starts $3 a month, and you can cancel anytime.
Subscribe to start watching!
Membership starts at $3 a month, and you can cancel anytime!
You are awesome.
Welcome aboard! Thanks for supporting independent creators and diverse voices.
Continue
Your subscription is now active. Enjoy unlimited streaming on Seed&Spark!
Woodstock Film Festival, Cucalorus Film Festival, Citizen Jane Film Festival, Columbia University Film Festival, Chesapeake Film Festival, Lone Star Film Festival, North Shore Towers Film Festival, Beloit International Film Festival, March on Washington Film Festival, Green Mountain Film Festival, Tupelo Film Festival
At a family farm in West Virginia, Dawn, a first-generation college student, takes care of her rebellious younger sister, Summer, while their grandmother is out of town. When she discovers a licorice scent in their tap water, she investigates, finding the same odor in their farm's creek. Alarmed, she appeals to her sister and uncle, Buck, who mock her suspicions. Nevertheless, she follows the scent upstream and stumbles onto a chemical spill in progress. She collects samples of the substance, MCHM, and through a simple experiment learns enough entered the water supply to be harmful. She warns Summer and urges her to take it seriously, but she is busy readying for a party with Buck. They argue and Dawn leaves to get bottled water, checking out of a convenience store just as news of the spill breaks publicly. She arrives home to apologize to Summer, but she is gone. Dawn goes to the party and retrieves an ailing Summer, the two reconciling as the clean-up efforts of the spill continue.
Terms
>
Basic Info
Before we get started, please confirm the following:
By starting a project you agree to Seed&Spark’s Site Guidelines.
Terms
>
Basic Info
Saved to Watchlist
Way to go, you just added something to your watchlist for the first time! You can find and view your watchlist at anytime from your profile.
Pay what you can.
Watch wild and wonderful movies and shows from independent filmmakers and get a new handpicked playlist every month.
Subscribe to Seed&Spark