A Decade of Inspiring Activism
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is gearing up for our 10th annual festival, which will be held January 13-15 in Nevada City, CA. To celebrate our anniversary, the focus for our 2012 festival is “a decade of inspiring activism.” As always we will feature films, workshops and speakers that educate and inspire us to take action on behalf of the earth, to live deep and adventurous lives, and to take care of one another. The festival is evolving continuously as we work to finalize speakers, venues, artists and filmmakers.
Yet the backbone of the festival is nearly completed. Over 320 films were submitted for our upcoming festival! Our creative director and program committee have spent approximately 900 hours screening the films. The final selections are nearly completed, and we are excited to announce five films that will be featured in our upcoming 2012 festival.
The Last Mountain displays big coal’s political power and influence as well as the ecological and cultural destruction caused by mountain top removal. Written, directed and produced by Bill Haney, the film follows citizens of Coal River Valley, West Virginia who are fighting to stop mountain top removal. For more information, visit the film’s website.
With My Own Two Wheels follows five people whose lives have been changed by the bicycle. A bicycle allows Bharati to continue her education in India. In Zambia, a bicycle allows Fred, a health worker to reach twice as many patients. Bicycling allows Mirriam to reduce stigma linked with her disability in a Ghanaian community. In Guatemala a bicycle allows Carlos, a farmer, to reduce his neighbors’ environmental impact. And finally, Sharkey in California is a bike mechanic, bringing many people in his diverse community together. Directed by Jacob Seigel-Boettner and Isaac Seigel-Boettner. For more, visit the films website.
The Mono Lake Story follows the Mono Lake Committee working with a coalition of government agencies and non-profit groups as well as the greater public to recognize the value of the desert lake. The Committee has gained both legal and legislative recognition for the lake. This is their story. Directed by Ryan Christensen and Jonah Matthewson. For more, visit the film’s website.
Dark Side of the Lens is a six-minute film by the Irish surf photographer Mickey Smith. His narration artistically explains what is required to capture the ocean on film and his personal philosophy: “Cameras help me translate, interpret and understand what I see. It’s a simple act that keeps me grinnin’. I never set out to become anything in particular, only to live creatively and push the scope of my experience for adventure and for passion.” To watch the film click here.
Towers of the Ennedi is the story of climbing in the Ennedi Desert in northeastern Chad. Renan Ozturk, Mark Synott, Alex Honnold and James Pearson climb the towers, rock formations and spires that rise above the sun-drenched landscape. The film captures technical climbing and the long adventure to reach Ennedi. Directed by Renan Ozturk. To watch the teaser click here.
