Festival Overview
GRAND CANYON ADVENTURE: RIVER AT RISK
Thursday 4/19 10am
Director: Greg MacGillivray
TRT: 44 min
GRAND CANYON ADVENTURE: RIVER AT RISK Brings Whitewater Excitement To The Giant IMAX Screen And Calls Attention to Global Water Issues.
MacGillivray Freeman Films, producers of the blockbuster giant-screen hit Everest, will make a splash with their new 3D film for IMAX Theatres, Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk 3D, premiering on March 14 in anticipation of World Water Day (March 22). Narrated by Robert Redford, the giant screen film combines exhilarating river-rafting action on America’s most iconic river with the first-ever IMAX 3D images of the Grand Canyon to tell an important story of how ordinary people can make a difference for our parched planet – one that is running out of clean, fresh water so fast that the U.N. estimates that 40% of the world could face life-threatening shortages by the year 2050.
Leading this important river expedition are two environmental heroes: world-renowned river advocate
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and celebrated author/anthropologist/explorer Wade Davis, accompanied by their daughters—Kick Kennedy and Tara Davis—for whom this journey will become a moving rite of passage. They are guided by Shana Watahomigie, a member of the Havasupai tribe and the first Native American to become a National Park Ranger and river guide. A stirring score featuring songs and music from the Grammy Award-winning Dave Matthews Band sets the mood for this adventure that explores the issues, presents real solutions, and delivers an uplifting message of hope for future generations.
National Parks Adventure
Thursday 4/19 10am
Director: Greg MacGillivray
TRT: 43 min
Narrated by Academy Award® winner Robert Redford, National Parks Adventure takes audiences on the ultimate off-trail adventure into the nation’s awe-inspiring great outdoors and untamed wilderness. Immersive IMAX® 3D cinematography takes viewers soaring over red rock canyons, hurtling up craggy mountain peaks and into other-worldly realms found within America’s most legendary outdoor playgrounds, including Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier National Park, Redwood National Park, the Everglades and Arches. Celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the national parks with world-class mountaineer Conrad Anker, adventure photographer Max Lowe and artist Rachel Pohl as they hike, climb and explore their way across America’s majestic parks in what is both an action-packed expedition and a souful reflection on what wilderness means to us all.
National Parks Adventure is a MacGillivray Freeman film produced in association with Brand USA and presented globally by Expedia, Inc. and Subaru of America, Inc. with major support provided by the Giant Dome Theater Consortium.
National Parks Adventure was filmed with 15per/65mm IMAX® 3D cameras and is directed by Greg MacGillivray (The Living Sea, Dolphins, Everest) and produced by Shaun MacGillivray (To The Arctic, Humpback Whales). The film is written by Stephen Judson (Everest, To The Arctic) and Tim Cahill (Everest) with a musical score by Steve Wood (Journey to the South Pacific, Humpback Whales).
MacGillivray Freeman Films is the world’s leading independent producer and distributor of giant-screen 70mm films with 38 films for IMAX theatres to its credit. Throughout the company’s 50-year history, its films have won numerous international awards including two Academy Award nominations and three films inducted into the IMAX Hall of Fame. National Parks Adventure follows in the company’s long tradition of films known for their artistry and celebration of the natural world.
Tibetan Illusion Destroyer
Thursday 4/19 6PM
Directed and Produced by: Tom Vendetti
Original Music by: Keola Beamer
TRT: 55min
Narrated by: Ann Mortifee
Written by: Tom Vendetti and Ann Mortifee
Edited by: Tom Vendetti
Post Production Editing by: Robert Stone and Christopher Hedge
Camera by: Tom Vendetti and Rishi Jha
Filmed in Tibet and Nepal over two years, the film documents an ancient Tibetan ceremony, the Mani Rimdu Festival, that creates awareness of the illusions that cause human suffering. Vendetti’s short film “Dali Lama and Happiness” will also be shown.
Lahaina resident Keola Beamer scored the original music for the film and will be present to talk about his composition.
The message of “The Tibetan Illusion Destroyer” is timeless: illusions stand in the way of finding happiness.
“There is much wisdom that indigenous cultures can offer us in terms of achieving inner peace and happiness,” said Dr. Vendetti, director of Mental Health Kokua in Wailuku. He believes that his film’s message is extremely relevant, considering the high level of internal and external conflict that many of us are facing every day.
“The film offers insight into how to obtain peace in the outer world by making peace within ourselves,” Vendetti said. Buddha was quoted in the film with this message: “We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make our world.”
“In other words,” said Vendetti, “if we think negative thoughts on a regular basis, it will result in feelings of anxiety and even depression. My film explores this knowledge and wisdom via an interpretation of the Mani Rimdu Festival.”
Beamer said of his experience working on the film, “‘Tibetan Illusion Destroyer’ was a wonderful project to work on, and I was grateful to be called in to compose the score for the film. What initially attracted me to the project was Dr. Vendetti’s idea of understanding the self-imposed matrix of illusions that human beings unknowingly place on their lives. By exploring how other cultures and religions ameliorate these mental constructs, is it possible, I wondered, that we could enhance the happiness and meaning of our own lives?”
The music Beamer created for the film was recorded in Kathmandu over a period of about a year. “It was important to me to create a score that would authentically support the film by using the native instruments of the Nepalese people. Accordingly, I worked to understand the tonal palette of their instrumentation,” he said.
Beamer also had to discover a method of communicating the music in his head to the musicians onsite without any type of written notation. Being Hawaiian and coming from a culture that created hula and oli without a written language (or paper) prior to the arrival of the Europeans, this was not actually too difficult for him.
“I kind of do the same thing with my own family!” he exclaimed. “Luckily, through friends in Kathmandu, Dr. Vendetti and I discovered some excellent musicians. We worked together to create a meditative and authentically supportive score to underpin the magical journey of the film.”
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https://www.pbshawaii.org/pbs-hawaii-presents-tibetan-illusion-destroyer/
Poisoning Paradise
Saturday 4/21 8PM
Directors: Keely Shaye Brosnan & Teresa Tico
Executive Producer: Pierce Brosnan
TRT: 60min
Synopsis
Journey to the seemingly idyllic world of Native Hawaiians, where communities are surrounded by experimental test sites and pesticides sprayed upwind of their neighborhoods. Poisoning Paradise details the ongoing struggle to advance bold new legislation governing the fate of their island home.
In an attempt to diversify an economy that was overly reliant on tourism, policymakers in both Hawaii and Washington, D.C. encouraged the world’s largest biotech companies to utilize Kauai’s favorable climate and fertile soil to test genetically engineered seeds and crops. Corporations including Syngenta, Pioneer DuPont, BASF, and Dow Agrosciences have since applied hundreds of tons of Restricted Use (RU) pesticides on thousands of acres across the Garden Island’s West Side, the traditional homeland of an indigenous and disenfranchised population.
Interviews with local residents, scientists, and healthcare professionals reveal the hardships and ecological dangers of intensive and continuous pesticide applications and the environmental injustice thrust upon people living in one of the most sacred, biologically unique and diverse locations on earth. Award-winning investigative journalist Paul Kolberstein describes Kauai as “one of the most toxic agricultural environments in all of American agriculture.”
As champions of a grassroots movement to make Kauai County Bill 2491 law, local activists battle political corruption, corporate bullying, and systematic concealment by the agrichemical industry.
Although Kauai’s plight might seem like a local issue, this debate is in fact raging around the world as country after country is becoming concerned about pesticides, the future of food, and sustainable farming practices.
THE LAST ANIMALS
FRIDAY 4/20 8pm
Director: Kate Brooks
TRT: 1hr 32min
About the Film
Conflict photographer Kate Brooks turns her lens from the war zones she is used to covering to a new kind of genocide- the killing of African Elephants and Rhinos- in this sweeping and sobering expose of an underreported crisis. As the single-digit population of Northern White Rhinoceros ticks closer to zero, Brooks outlines the myriad factors contributing to the current epidemic of highly effective poaching and trafficking syndicates, drawing startling connections between the illegal wildlife trade and international terrorism and border security. But all is not yet lost- at the same time, Brooks documents the heroic efforts of conservationists, park rangers, and scientists to protect these animals on the verge of extinction in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. The result is a potent plea for worldwide attention and action to combat the permanent loss of these majestic creatures.
– DEBORAH RUDOLPH
Log Line
The Last Animals follows the conservationists, scientists and activists battling poachers and criminal networks to save elephants and rhinos from the edge of extinction.
Short Synopsis
The Last Animals is a story about an extraordinary group of people who go to incredible lengths to save the planet’s last animals. The documentary follows the conservationists, scientists and activists battling poachers and transnational trafficking syndicates to protect elephants and rhinos from extinction. From Africa’s front lines to behind the scenes of Asian markets to the United States, the film takes an intense look at the global response to this slaughter and the desperate measures to genetically rescue the Northern White rhinos who are on the edge of extinction.
Sea of Life
Saturday 4/21 6PM
Director: Julia Barnes
TRT: 1 hour 28min
AWARDS:
Sea of Life has won awards at Cinema Verde, Ekotopfilm/Envirofilm, WaterDocs, Impact Docs, Cayfilm, AM Film Festival, Forest City Film Festival, Earth Talks, and Environmental Film Festival Albania.
JULIA BARNES:
Believing that people will change the world once they know what it happening Julia Barnes, at 16 years old, bought a camera and set off to make a documentary to raise awareness about the biggest threat facing our planet and inspire audiences to turn things around. Julia is the director, editor, cinematographer, writer and producer of Sea of Life.
Gray Wolves of the Southwest
Sunday 4/22 6PM
Producer: Alan Lacy
TRT: 50min
In the American Southwest, a unique species of wolf unlike any other is making a comeback. Considered extinct nearly 40 years ago, the little known Mexican gray wolf has slowly pulled back from the very brink — against all odds. From a founding population of just seven animals, this species has slowly grown to a current wild population of approximately 100, only to face a new threat from within: its own genetics. As part of a bold recovery mission, one lone wolf is given a chance to offer new hope for the survival of her species. In telling this story, narrated by Chris Morgan, “Gray Area” explores whether there can be a balanced and sustainable future where ranchers, conservationists, locals, and biologists alike can coexist with this apex predator.
BHUTAN: Taking the Middle Road to Happiness
Friday 4/20 6PM
Imagine a country where happiness is the guiding principal of government. Imagine a people who see all life as sacred and the source of their happiness, a place with an abundance of clean and renewable energy, a nation committed to preserving its culture. Imagine a Kingdom where the King lives in a simple wooden cottage and judges his progress by the country’s “Gross National Happiness.” Where is this Shangri-La?
Bhutan. But can a place like Bhutan really exist? Can such ideals be realized? Can this small, geographically isolated country tucked away in the Himalayans truly protect its environment and culture as they open their doors to the West?”
The idea for shooting the documentary started over two years ago when filmmaker Tom Vendetti wrote a letter and proposal to the Royal Government of Bhutan asking if he could make a documentary about the country.
“I was always fascinated by Bhutan,” says Tom Vendetti. “When I was in Nepal in 1983, there was a buzz about this beautiful and isolated country called Bhutan but at that time is was not only expensive to get into the country but very few numbers of outsiders were permitted entry to visit. Many years later when I went to an exhibit of John Wehrheim’s captivating photography of Bhutan at the East-West Center on O’ahu, my interest was rekindled to learn more about this mysterious and intriguing land.”
To his amazement and joy, Tom received a fax six months later. “Your proposal has been accepted by the Bhutan government. When will you and your crew be coming to Bhutan?” With introductions and travel arrangements made by Thinley Choden of Bhutan Tours and Travels, Tom was initially given permission to document the country’s production of clean and sustainable energy with run of the river hydroelectric plants. As the proposal developed it became clear that there was a bigger story to be told, the concept of “Gross National Happiness”. With this in mind, Tom submitted a list of questions to the government that explored “Gross National Happiness” The questions were approved and interviews with the Prime Minister and other government officials scheduled. Some of the questions were political in nature, exploring Bhutan’s readiness to cautiously open its doors to the West.
After the documentary was given approval by the Kingdom of Bhutan, Tom Vendetti consulted extensively with Bhutan’s cultural experts to present Bhutan in an authentic, culturally appropriate manner, and to explore the four pillars or platforms of “Gross National Happiness” proposed by the government: (1) Economic development, (2) Environmental preservation, (3) Cultural promotion, and (4) Good governance.
“As a psychologist, I was fascinated by the concept of ‘Gross National Happiness,’ and I wanted to film in Bhutan because I thought their model to promote happiness could be one for the whole world to follow,” reflects Tom Vendetti. “I also thought it could be a great opportunity to have this message air here in the USA to make more people aware of Bhutan and its dedication to make its people happy.”
Tom immediately called his production crew to accompany him to Bhutan to document this remarkable country: Composers and musicians Paul Horn and Christopher Hedge, photographer John Wehrheim, Bob Stone (who previously edited a number of his documentaries) and Scott Dewar.
He and his crew filmed in Bhutan during the months of October and November, 2004, also filming a concert performed by Paul Horn, Christopher Hedge and Bhutanese musician Jigme Drukpa held on November 11,2004 in honor of the King and his birthday, the Royal Family and people of Bhutan. With over 60 hours of footage shot and stock footage presented to him by the Bhutan Broadcasting System, Tom Venedtti and his group returned to Maui to begin the post-production on the film.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/5127130
Keola Beamer: Mālama Ko Aloha (Keep Your Love)
Thursday 4/19 8pm
“The idea of aloha is Hawaii’s greatest gift to the world. But a lot of people don’t know what it is, or how to find it, or how to discover it in our own hearts.” These words, spoken by legendary Hawaiian composer and musician Keola Beamer, provide insight to the multi-cultural musical collaboration featured in the PBS Hawaii production Keola Beamer: Mālama Ko Aloha (Keep Your Love).
Based upon Beamer’s belief that musicians from different backgrounds can remain true to their own cultural heritage while learning and incorporating ideas from others, Mālama Ko Aloha features inspiring and unique musical performances by Beamer and a brilliant ensemble of musicians including Native American flute player R. Carlos Nakai and American jazz pianist virtuoso Geoffrey Keezer.
Last Rush of the Wild West
Saturday 4/21 Noon
Director: Jennifer Ekstrom
TRT: 46 min
About the Film:
Last Rush for the Wild West exposes how impending tar sands and oil shale strip mining would destroy massive, pristine landscapes in Utah and devastate the already imperiled Colorado River watershed. The foreign corporation behind America’s very first tar sands strip mine is gearing up and claiming they will begin to produce fuel in early 2017.
This strip mining would jeopardize drinking water quality and quantity for thirty-six million people downstream. It would increase air pollution in Salt Lake City, where air quality is already the worst in the Nation. It would accelerate climate change. The risks to humanity are staggering.
Yet the State of Utah approved America’s precedent setting commercial tar sands strip mine at PR Spring despite catastrophic impacts to human health caused by tar sands strip mining in Alberta, Canada.
This film asserts the risks are not worth it, while refuting claims that tar sands and oil shale strip mining would create better economic conditions and lead our nation toward energy independence. American taxpayers are subsidizing the foreign corporation pursuing the project, with 85 million dollars, mostly public funds, already spent to construct the road to the site. And there is no indication this product would be used in the United States.
Last Rush for the Wild West highlights a resolute contingent of local Utah citizens, and wise indigenous leaders from tar sands impacted communities Canada, as they encourage American taxpayers and voters to stand up with them and reject this impending disaster. Last Rush for the Wild West addresses one of the most under-reported and critical environmental issues of our time. It presents Americans with a rare opportunity to activate before it’s too late!
Beyond Crisis
Friday 4/20 noon
Synopsis
BEYOND CRISIS is a story of hope for a rapidly changing world: a meditative call to action that explores what it means to be living in this new era of climate change, as told by over fifty diverse voices from across Canada, the U.S. and beyond.
The film is also a unique conversation piece: a grassroots model for what a healthy conversation on climate could look like, inspiring YOU to take the next steps in discussing these issues with your friends, community and loved ones.
The reality of climate change may be frightening, but there is good news. Diving into the dramatic climate and energy story unfolding all around us today, this film paints an inspiring vision of the better world we could be building together – if we find the courage to face our shared global crisis, saying YES to a far safer, more sustainable and more compassionate clean energy future.
Beyond Crisis is a story of truth that bridges both poetry and science, intellect and the human heart – a beacon of hope to all people who are searching for an inspiring path beyond climate change, and a future we can actually believe in.A hand-crafted portrait of a growing social movement united by our shared crisis, this film empowers YOU to continue the world’s tough climate discussions at home, in school and in your community – to build a #SafeClimateFuture for all of us.
Watch, get inspired and start a conversation on climate!
Redefining Prosperity: The Gold Rushes of Nevada City
Saturday 4/21 Noon
John de Graaf, Greg Davis, Jennifer Ekstrom | 2017 |
TRT: 57 min.
Born in the California Gold Rush, Nevada City was once the scene of some of the most destructive environmental practices on earth. By the 1960s, the town was a backwater, its extractive industries dying. Then it was discovered by the “back to the land movement.” It was a second gold rush but with a different idea of gold based on nature, community and a sense of place. The Yuba River brought conflicting factions of the community together while different ideas about the meaning of wealth have led to changes in local food production, education, arts, music and a commitment to building community. Redefining Prosperity: The Gold Rushes of Nevada City includes two dozen of Nevada City’s most active citizens and their stories.
More info: www.johndegraaf.com
Florotica
Thursday 4/19 8pm
Directed by: Dr. Tom Vendetti
This film takes us on a dramatic three-dimensional journey through the amazing world of flowers from the insect’s point of view.
It shows us the magnificence of flowering plants using Dr. Greenberg’s unique 3D microscopes, displaying images magnified hundreds of times, with a clarity and depth never before seen.
Soundtrack: “Dancers in the Land of Pō” by Keola Beamer
Dalai Lama & Happiness
“I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness.” — The Dalai Lama
Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, is the spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people. As is illustrated by the quote above, the Dalai Lama believes that the very purpose of our existence is to seek happiness.
The film Dalai Lama & Happiness is an interview that Dr. Tom Vendetti conducted with the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama spoke about happiness from a personal and global perspective. The interview was conducted in Dharamshala which is where the Dalai Lama’s resides and he headquarters of the Central Tibetan Administration.
Global Population Speak Out
Friday 4/20 noon
A short video about the possible paths for very different futures and the human health and human rights enhancing approaches that can create tremendous positive global change, such as education for all girls and boys and family planning availability for every one. Plus, the understanding that we must love and nurture the natural world, just as we must love and nurture our children.
Rooted in Love
Friday 4/20 10am
Sunday 4/22 6PM
Director: Jody McNicholas
“Rooted in Love,” by award winning, Taos filmmaker Jody McNicholas. Her documentary follows a day in the life of Micah Roseberry: organic farmer, sustainability activist and proprietor of El Prado’s Farmhouse Café.
Seed Sovereignty
Friday 4/20 8pm
Produced by: Miguel Santistevan
Published in Yes Magazine, Ea O Ka Aina: The Good Food Revolution: New Mexican activist Miguel Santistevan describes how, in the Pueblos, each type of corn “drank” from its own river, producing seed that was specific to its own watershed. One of the world’s most influential creation stories comes from the Book of Genesis in the Bible. It is often told incorrectly, without the warnings and prohibitions that are in the story—as if the children of Adam and Eve were entitled to control creation. Whether you read this story literally or metaphorically, it has had a powerful impact on Western thought. Many scholars believe that our current environmental conditions came about because our society interpreted this story as a license to dominate nature. When told this way, the development of our military-industrial system of agriculture makes sense. We can see the long arc of history, the search-and-destroy missions throughout the ages, including manifest destiny and the conquest of native peoples, their lands, and their well-developed integrated food systems.
Agua es Vida
Saturday 4/21 6PM
DIRECTOR: Pablo Irlando-Wildman
Based in Taos, New Mexico and focused specifically on the Rio Fernando, this Sancre Productions film begins up high in the Taos watershed and follows the water down from the mountains, into the Rio Fernando and ultimately through the acequia system that then distributes the water to farms and pastures throughout the community. The film then takes us on a journey through the community of farmers and ranchers who depend on the acequias for their livelihood, and helps viewers understand acequias as a system of governance that, when well-attended and maintained, helps ensure a healthy community, healthy lands and sufficient water for all.
Avanyu
Friday 4/20 6PM
Director/Producer/Director of Photography/Writer: Dana Romanoff
Co-Director/Co-Producer/Editor/Writer: Amy Marquis
Editor/Cinematographer: Chuck Smith
American Rivers, Executive Producer: Sinjin Eberle
The Avanyu, or water serpent, is a powerful deity of the Tewa people. It is revered as a guardian of water whose curved spine suggests a flowing river. For the Tewa in New Mexico, the river is life. And to Louie Hena and his family it is where they make their living. In this short film, take a trip down the Rio Grande with Louie and his family in their Native Culture. Feast and Float to learn about their connection to this Wild and Scenic stretch of water. Created by National Park Experience for American Rivers with support from YETI in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Wild & Scenic Act.
Dalai Lama and China
Friday 4/20 6PM
A short film featuring His Holiness the Dalai Lama, addressing the Chinese occupation of Tibet and the survival of Tibetan culture.
Chinese troops invaded Tibet in 1950, bringing sudden and violent end to Tibet’s centuries-old isolation beyond the Himalayas.
In 1959, in the wake of the invasion, the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual and temporal leader, along with nearly 100,000 Tibetans, fled to exile in India. The Dalai Lama established the Central Tibetan Administration in McLeod Ganj, a hilltop town in northern India, working for a negotiated settlement with China.
In the years after, Tibet’s people under China’s rule are being continually persecuted, and their religion and culture systematically eradicated, through dilution as well as active destruction, to the brink of extinction.