FILM SCHEDULE
The following schedule is chronological by date and time.
All Films, Green Exhibits, Benefit Crab Feed and
Round Table Discussion take place at Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club,
574 First Street East in Sonoma.
Online ticketing starts December 28th
The Wilderness Idea
(USA, 1989, 58 min)
Category: Wilderness Conservation/Resource Management
By Lawrence Hott and Diane Garey
www.directcinemalimited.com
The following review was written by Melissa and Alexandra Carlson, members of Sonoma Valley High School’s Earth Club.
“This is a wonderful film about the first real conservation/environmental movement back in the late 1800’s. Two very contrasting and influential men wanted to protect nature – the brilliant and eccentric founder and first president of the Sierra Club, John Muir and Gifford Pincho, the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service. These two men clashed on fundamentals - Muir believed nature should be protected as it is and not impacted and saw poetry in nature - Gifford believed in wilderness protection while maximizing its resources. In 1913 the battle was waged over the Hetch Hetchy river and after a long a bitter debate the dam was approved by Congress; the schism in American attitudes that emerged in the dispute still endures. This film combines archival materials with stunning cinematography shot on location in Yosemite. We highly recommend it for all ages.”
Preceeded by California Wilderness Coalition
(USA, 2007, 6 min)
Category: Forestry/Wilderness Conservation
By: Channel G
www.channelg.tv
California’s ever-growing population now totals over 36 million residents. This population boom confronts California’s wild lands with a myriad of development threats. Power lines, drilling, logging, mining, and road construction destroy tens of thousands of acres of California every year. We must protect what is left of California’s frontier in order to strike a balance.
Recommended for students ages 15+ and adults.
FRIDAY JAN 25 3PM
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The Water Bearer
By Pascal Gelinas
(Canada 2007 52 min)
Category: Water/Sustainable Community
pascal_gelinas@radio-canada.ca
This international award winning film follows the efforts made by the men and women of Florès Island in Indonesia, to re-invent their daily lives after 32 years of dictatorship. Amongst them, we find a Canadian, Gilles Raymond, in search of a code of ethics where action coincides with words. Through the simple quest for clean running water, Catholics and Muslims work together to instill a direct democracy and sustainable autonomy. This is also a road movie of sorts, with the ancient Ngada warrior culture serving as a backdrop, where solidarity rubs shoulders with defeatism and generosity overcomes corruption. Beyond money, religion and politics, the story is a poignant reminder that all men are born brothers.
Recommended for students 12+ and adults.
FRIDAY JAN 25 4:30PM
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SNEAK PREVIEW
Be the first to see this ecofabulous film!
We can only tell you this much: our Opening Night Sneak Preview feature film is certain to be a major prize winner after its world premiere in May. It follows the triumphs and hardships of a construction team that sets out to build the first residential green building in an eastern city. Join us for a reception featuring handcrafted wines sourced from sustainable vineyards from Benziger Family Winery, Deerfield Ranch, Quivira and Frey Vineyards. Then laugh and care about and question along with the construction crew and find out what happens when they try to build the first environmentally-friendly building in their city.
Skateboarding for a Cooler World (6 min) by guest filmmaker Niall McKay precedes the SNEAK PREVIEW.
After the films Michele Tovar, co-founder of Green Living Sonoma will talk briefly about the benefits of building smarter, healthier homes.
Recommended for students 15+ and adults.
FRIDAY JAN 25
6:00PM Reception
6:30PM Films
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The Weeping Camel
By Byambasuren Davaa, Luigi Falorni
(2004 87 min)
2005 Winner, Directors Guild Award for Best Documentary
Category: Sustainable Community, Living Traditions, Geography
This astonishing, mesmerizing Mongolian film is a total delight from start to finish; it speaks volumes about the ties that bind human beings and animals together. It follows the adventures of a family of herders in Mongolia's Gobi region who face a crisis when the mother camel unexpectedly rejects her newborn calf after a particularly difficult birth. Uniquely composed of equal parts reality, drama, and magic, this film is a window into a different way of life and the universal terrain of the heart.
Among the nomads of Mongolia's Gobi desert, camels provide life's necessities. Camel hair is woven into clothing. Dried camel droppings fuel fires. Camel milk serves as a dietary staple. Shoes and saddles are fashioned from camel hides. Wealth is measured in part by the number of camels a person owns. So when a camel mother rejects a newborn colt, the nomads take the rejection very seriously. In keeping with an ancient ritual, a musician must be summoned to perform a ceremony. The rite aims to coax the camel mother into nursing her baby. If the mother accepts the baby, legend has it that the ritual causes her to weep with joy. It is the first film to be distributed under the new National Geographic World Films label.
Recommended for students 15+ and adults.
FRIDAY JAN 25 8:30PM
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An Ecofabulous Program of 5 Short Films
Responsibility Taken
(USA 2007 5min) World Premiere
Category: Community Sustainability, Wildlife Habitat, Activism
elmo23dav@aol.com
They call themselves “Responsibility Taken” They think and act environmentally. They do a lot helping out in our local community, having fun, and helping the entire Planet. Who are they?
They are a group of 10 and 11 year old 5th grade students from0 El Verano School in Sonoma Ca. Their film is about the many projects they have done including raising money to donate recycling containers to the Boys and Girls Club Valley of the Moon, managing and caring for their school’s wildlife habitat, proposing to Sonoma’s City Council to encourage city residents to only use biodegradable and recyclable products, among others. Responsibility Taken states “you cannot make people change. You cannot make people keep creeks clean or make them stop littering or make someone use an energy efficient light bulb.... You have to educate them to convince them that it is the "RIGHT" thing to do. Then they want to do the right thing.”
Just a Lawn
By Megan Durnford
(Canada 2007 13 min) US Premiere
Category: Community Sustainability, Health, Activism
megan.durnford@sympatico.ca
'Just a Lawn' follows the evolution of the lawn, from an 18th century British aristocratic gardening fashion to an iconic element of the North American suburban landscape. This film examines the complex reasons for the lawn's rise in popularity and the concomitant rise in pesticide use for controlling some of the 'perfect' lawn's enemies. However by the 1960s, the potential danger of these chemicals became apparent. 'Just a Lawn' follows an anti-pesticide campaign in Quebec, from the dermatologist who sounded the alarm in 1985 to a courageous teenager with non-Hodgkins lymphoma who insisted that government officials ban pesticides that are dangerous to human health.
Going Big Box vs. Going Local
By Amy Wolf
(USA 2007 7 min) World Premiere
Category: Sustainable Economy, Human Rights, Comedy
This fast-paced, outrageous docu-drama follows Hannah in her shopping quest for a shirt and some eggs. Contrasting Wal-Mart and local markets, her journey uncovers the truth about the people, animals and money behind the products we purchase. Using rare footage from Chinese sweatshops and hellish conditions in the worst hen houses, this film exposes what mega-corporations don't want people to see. While showing viewers a true alternative to supporting sweatshops, animal abuse, and the decline of local businesses, Hannah's search ends with a sexy surprise, as she finds the metrics behind buying local to be better for her conscience – and her love life.
Mama Earth
By Leslie Bloom Van Ee
(USA 2006 24 min)
Category: Sustainable Economy, Conservation, Sustainable Community
www.bearcreekstudio.com
Another gloom and doom film? No! Quite the contrary, this film revels in innovation, invention, creativity and music. An inspiring road map of successful ways to achieve sustainability through reinventing old methods and finding new paths to healthy communities, protecting natural resources and attaining a more profitable bottom line.
Tree People
By: Channel G
(USA, 2007, 5 min)
Category: Community Activism, Resource Conservation
A well-designed urban forest saves public and private money. It saves energy through shading and cooling of buildings and pavement. It reduces negative health trends including childhood asthma and skin cancer. To help Los Angeles carry out a “million trees planted” initiative, a partnership has been established between TreePeople and the city’s Park and Recreation Department. TreePeople is training and supporting local youth and families to plant 300,000 trees on nearly 16,000 acres of public parkland in Los Angeles over the next several years.
Recommended for students 10 -18 and adults.
SATURDAY JAN 26 9:30AM
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FREE - DOUBLE FEATURE - FREE -
The Organic Opportunity
By Christopher Bedford
(USA 2007 25 min) World Premiere
Category, Sustainable Economy, Sustainable Community
chrisbedford@charter.net
What could happen if a county adopted policies to promote local, organic agriculture as a goal? This film is about just such an initiative. Woodbury County, Iowa has developed a series of programs to promote local farmers growing fruits and vegetables and meat, eggs, and cheese in harmony with nature's rules. The film documents the development of the nation's first county level programs to offer farmers tax incentives to grow organically; the nation's first local organic food purchase program for county institutions: and the nation's first program of land access for new organic farmers committed to growing food for local and regional consumption. The result has been an explosion of new economic development including a nationally famous farmers market, a five star organic restaurant, and a growing influx of farmers and news businesses seeking to work and prosper in an organic local food economy. 'If this could happen here in Western Iowa,' says Jen Boyle, President of the Floyd Boulevard Local Foods Market 'this can happen anywhere. This is the future of our food.'
Ripe for Change
By: Emiko Omori
(USA 2006 55 min)
Category: School Gardens, Organic Food and Agriculture, Sustainable Economy
California is at a crossroads in agriculture, fending off overdevelopment and the loss of farming traditions while simultaneously embracing innovative visions of sustainability. This film was reviewed by Earth Club members Melissa and Alexandra Carlson. “This extraordinary films supports organic local community farming. It is very well choreographed with important facts about the history of farming: the use of fossil fuels, the scarcity of resources, and the destructive use of pesticides. The other approach calls for more organic, sustainable and local farming. The film features the marketing system known as community supported agriculture (CSA), the Lunch Initiative (School Districts buy their food from local farmers to serve in the lunch line – food that is cleaned, planned and prepared by students), interviews with prominent farmers, chefs and food thinkers and the poetic and inspiring comments from Alice Waters who believes food nurtures our souls while sustaining our bodies. Highly recommended for all ages!”
Following the film Bay Area producer Jed Riffe and local organic farmers will discuss the benefits of supporting local farms and school gardens.
Recommended for students 15+ and adults.
SATURDAY JAN 26 11AM
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River Ways
By Colin Stryker
(USA 2007 1hr 25 min)
Category: Water, Farming, Fishing
In Eastern Washington State, four large hydroelectric dams span the breadth of the lower Snake River, the largest tributary of the Columbia. These dams have come under increasing criticism from environmental groups for their negative impact on salmon runs, which are both a cultural icon and economic resource for various peoples of the Pacific Northwest. The controversy resulting from a seemingly simple proposal to remove the dams has been unprecedented. The debate pits environmentalists, Native Americans, and fishermen against family farmers and industry advocates before a backdrop of multi-disciplinary science and massive government bureaucracy. Sound familar? This is a rare film, effectively giving all sides a voice, letting the issues speak for themselves.
Following the film, there will be a discussion with filmmaker Colin Styker, and representatives from the Sonoma Ecology Center and Sonoma County Resource Conservation District.
SATURDAY JAN 26 1PM
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Who's Got The Power
By Casey Coates Danson, Narrated by Robert Wagner
(USA 2006 58 min)
Category: Alternative Energy, Global Warming, Green Building
casey@globalpossibilities.org
This film energizes a fascinating subject -solar power - and awakens the dialogue about man's engagement with earth and the impact of architecture. It addresses head on the reality of global warming, caused by the burning of fossil fuels, coal, oil and gas and presents genuine and workable solutions emphasizing the use of renewable energy.
Earth Club members Alexandra and Melissa Carlson who reviewed this film write, “the compelling facts that show smart use of the sun instead of coal, oil, and gas, and how this use can slow down the effects of global warming was laid out very well. We highly recommend this movie for high school to adult ages.” Following the film Solarcraft’s co-founder and President Bill Stewart will talk about solar–power housing.
Recommended for students ages 16 -22 and adults of all ages.
SATURDAY JAN 26 3:30PM
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Waiting to Inhale
By: Jed Riffe
(USA, 2005, 78 min)
Category: Community Activism, Health
The movie is the first documentary film to investigate the controversy over the legalization of cannabis as a medicine in the United States. This powerful film features leading experts and researchers from all over the world on both sides of the controversy over the therapeutic potential of marijuana. In the United States, while many states have passed laws with medical marijuana provisions, its use, cultivation and possession - for any reason - remain illegal under federal law.
The award winning film does not serve as propaganda for one opinion or another, but focuses instead on the real stories and struggles of people on opposite ends of this provocative spectrum. Above all, Waiting to Inhale opens our eyes to the unique world of individuals enmeshed in a conflict whose stakes are nothing short of life and death.
Join us for a lively discussion with filmmaker Jed Riffe and Sonoma County advocates for medical marijuana.
Recommended for students ages 15 – 22 and adults
SATURDAY JAN 26 5PM
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One Man, One Cow, One Planet
By Thomas Burstyn Barbara and Sumner Burstyn
(New Zealand 2007 56 min) West Coast Premiere
Category: Organic & Biodynamic Farming, Sustainable Community
sumnerburstyn@gmail.com
Join us for a tasting of local wines sourced from organic and biodynamic vineyards including Benzige Family Winery, Quivira Vineyards, Deerfield Ranch and Frey Vineyards.
Peter Proctor - age 78 - left the comforts of life in suburban New Zealand to live and work in India. Peter is known as the father of modern biodynamic farming, an arcane and extreme form of agriculture. Detractors call it, at best, hopeful farming, not grounded in today’s market realities - at worst ‘a new age scam.’ But across India thousands of subsistence farmers would disagree. And Peter is quietly determined to save the world. Biodynamic agriculture is changing the landscape, releasing entire communities from the debt cycles and destroyed lands of chemical farming and the bio colonialism of multinational corporations. This inspiring film reveals the hidden battle of Indian farmers to own seeds, to grow diverse crops, to feed themselves and their communities.
Following the film, Mimi Gatens, Benziger's Director of Sustainability and Robert Rex, winemaker and owner of Deerfield Winery will discuss the benefits of biodynamic farming.
Recommended for students 14 + and adults.
SATURDAY JAN 26 7PM
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Benefit Crab Feed
Yum! Delicious crab caught from local crabbers, plus french bread, salad and a beverage. The lunch is a benefit for the film festival to help offset production costs. $35. Seating is limited. Reserve a seat by calling 707.935.3456 or drop us an email at wcfilmfest@aol.com. Be sure to include the number of seats you are reserving.
SUNDAY JAN 27 11AM-12:30PM
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Round Table Discussion
Join attending filmmakers and community members for a lively interactive discussion. Guest speakers from Daily Acts, Pharmaca, Green Living, SolarCraft, among others will discuss positive solutions for sustainable economic development in our community and how to live greener lives on a daily basis.
SUNDAY JAN 27 1PM - 2PM
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Revolution Green
By Stephen Strout
(USA 2007 60 min)
Category: Alternative Energy, Biodiesel fuel, sustainable economy
This is an amazing film about how personal choices can echo across an entire society. It's about one man's vision to manufacture B100 biodiesel and one man's quest to use it in his big rig; a true story about ht e American dream and how critical renewable energy is to the future of the world. Features Willy Nelson who teaches his children how to make biodiesel on his property in Hawaii. There will be a car on site that runs on biodiesel and a talk after the film about how to convert your car and where to get biodiesel in Sonoma Valley.
SUNDAY JAN 27 2:30PM
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An Ecofabulous Program of 5 Short Films
Meat Jim
By Maddie Sheffield
(USA 2007 11 min)
Category: Food and Agriculture
madisonsheffield@gmail.com
Two college vegetarians think they can transform the eating habits of a local cowboy because it's better for the earth, or so they think. The vibrant vaquero has his own thoughts too.
Land Use & Green Building
By Melissa & Alexandra Carlson, Lee Jasperse, Sam Kowalsk, and Christine Byrne
iamcarlson@sbcglobal.net
Carbon Nation
By Jessica Csanky
(USA 2007 27 min)
Category: Alternative Energy
natalee@spyhop.org
Ten Utah teenagers decide to take their own personal initiative to fight global warming. As they film their individual experiences of living a carbon neutral lifestyle by eating local and riding their bikes they realize its no easy task. Their journey takes them throughout Utah in a bio-diesel bus as they find out what the rest of the state is doing to combat global warming. Uplifting, informative, great filmmaking, cool soundtrack and funny.
Skateboarding for a Cooler World
By Niall McKay
(USA 2007 6 min)
Category: Altenrative Energy, Youth Activism
mail@niall.org
Climate Matters: How To Save The Environment Artist and Pro skateboarder Lee West presents this five minute TV program focusing on how young people can effect change on the environment.
Spring Jump Run
By Allen Harthorn
(USA 2007 5 min)
Category: Alternative Energy
This inspiring short music video highlights the summer holding activity of Butte Creek Spring Run chinook salmon. Butte Creek Spring Run are the largest wild population of this race of salmon left in California and extraordinary efforts have been made to increase their numbers. This film shows the success and encourages the viewers to continue supporting efforts to keep this population healthy.
Recommended for students 11+ and adults
SUNDAY JAN 27 4PM
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The Boyhood of John Muir
A Dramatic Feature Film
By Lawrence Hott and Diane Garey
(USA 2005 87 min)
Category: Wilderness Conservation
www.bullfrogfilms.com
John Muir is known today as the founder of the Sierra Club, the driving force behind the creation of Yosemite National Park, and as this nation’s first environmentalist. It was in his youth that the foundation for his love of wilderness was laid. This ninety-minute feature film chronicles Muir’s early life in Scotland and on the American frontier, and tells how he escaped the drudgery of farm work in the wilds of Wisconsin. We see John’s evolution from farm boy to mechanical wizard, factory foreman and, eventually, wilderness tramp.
Recommended for students 15+ and adults of all ages
SUNDAY JAN 27 5:30PM
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Buddha’s Lost Children
A Dramatic Feature Docudrama
By Mark Verkerk
(Netherlands 2006 97 min)
Category: Living Traditions
www.buddhaslostchildren.com
In the borderlands of Thailand's Golden Triangle, a rugged region known for its drug smuggling and impoverished hill tribes, one man devotes himself to the welfare of the region's children. A former Thai boxer, turned Buddhist monk, Phra Khru Bah Neua Chai Kositto (aka the Tiger Monk), travels widely on horseback, fearlessly dispensing prayers, health care, education and tough love to villagers far from the protection and support of governments or non-governmental organizations. With his Golden Horse Temple he's built an orphanage, school and clinic - a haven for the children of the region, who see him as a shaman, father figure and coach. Stunning cinematography, intimate filmmaking and a compelling story make this film an extraordinary experience of a hidden realm. The story gives the term "grassroots Buddhism" new meaning, and in the end it's the children's journey we share.
