A Land Out of Time

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2006 FESTIVAL
55 min.
The biggest land grab in American history is occurring in the Rocky Mountain West as the oil and gas industry leases millions of acres of public land, with plans to drill hundreds of thousands of gas wells. The drilling blitz ranges from New Mexico to Montana and threatens some of America’s last, best wild lands. Westerners on the land for generations tell the story and foment a backlash against the current administration’s energy policy. Produced and directed by Mark Harvey (National Outdoor Book Award winner). Written by Mark Harvey and Laurel Garrett, based on a treatment by Timothy Egan (Pulitzer-price winning journalist for the New York Times).
[Premiere]

Ambassadors of the Arctic

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2006 FESTIVAL
13 min.
In this documentary film, Sharon Pieczenik explores the lives of polar bears in Churchhill, Manitoba. Viewers learn about Polar Bear International’s (PBI) dedication to the understanding of issues affecting polar bears throughout the world, and to their mission to communicate these issues to the public through a unique leadership program involving high school and college students from all over the world.
[Premiere]

Balancing Point

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2006 FESTIVAL
6 min.
Producer/Director Danny Brown brings us to his contemplative dreamlike world of “reverse” rock sculpture. Watch the magic as gravity is reversed in this interesting short film.

Bye Bye Buyat

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2006 FESTIVAL
31 min.
This powerful film is the environmental cautionary tale of the Buyat Pante people of Indonesia, who are forced to relocate to escape local mine pollution. The film presents a unique international perspective on the issues affecting indigenous peoples. Warning: Due to the graphic nature of some resultant health problems this film is not appropriate for viewers under 16.

Cabollo Loco on Easter Island

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2006 FESTIVAL
26 min.
What is killing the horses on Easter Island? Join veterinarian Johnathan Arzt on a mesmerizing journey of discovery to the most remote inhabited island on Earth. Using science, Dr. Arzt investigates this strange epidemic, initially thought to be mad cow disease, affecting the free-ranging horses that this economy depends upon for farming and transportation.

Chasing Coyotes

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2006 FESTIVAL
14 min.
Dr. Robert Crabtree has researched Yellowstone’s coyotes since 1989, both before and after the wolf reintroduction. His non-profit organization, The Yellowstone Ecological Research Center, hires recent biology graduates who wish to obtain field experience. This film follows these young biologists as they enter the wild world of America’s coyotes in some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet.

Crazy Like a Fox

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2006 FESTIVAL
99 min.
When big-city speculators cheat him out of his Virginia farm, old time gentleman farmer Nat Banks leaves his family and makes a new home in a cave on the creek. The pride of possession from so many generations on the same soil simply makes it impossible for him to move. Nat won’t go down without a fight, and his actions inspire a community-wide rebellion as he eventually fights his way back home.

Darwin’s Nightmare

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2006 FESTIVAL
107 min.
Some time in the 1960’s, in the heart of Africa, a new animal was introduced into Lake Victoria as a little scientific experiment. The Nile Perch, a voracious predator, extinguished almost the entire stock of the native fish species. The new fish multiplied quickly and soon its white fillets were exported all around the world. Today, huge hulking ex-Soviet cargo planes come daily to collect the latest catch in exchange for their southbound cargo: Kalashnikovs and ammunitions for the uncounted wars in the dark center of the continent.

Drowning New Orleans

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2006 FESTIVAL
52 min.
On August 28, America woke up to a shocking surprise. Katrina, a moderate “category one” hurricane that recently skirted Florida, had blown up overnight into a massive hurricane. Now it was a “category five” and it was headed straight for New Orleans. After three sleepless days watching live news coverage, Larry Cumbo was given the assignment to “go home” with a camera to film. Widespread violence had delayed rescuers, and there was no food, no water, no gas and no utilities. The National Geographic crew rigged out a 4×4 SUV, self-contained with everything they needed, and headed down to New Orleans.

Edens Lost and Found Los Angeles: Dreams of a Different City

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2006 FESTIVAL
57 min.
L.A. made smog and pollution into household words. No longer. Its citizens have said enough, and are putting their backs — as well as their words — into the effort to recover the Eden’s they have lost. Hosted by Actor Jimmy Smits this film guides the viewer through community based efforts to improve the environmental integrity and human quality of life in the sprawl of southern California.
[World Premiere]