August 13th, 2009
One problem environmental films often face with attracting a general audience is the perception that they will be supreme downers. Scientists suspect that our love of nature is rooted deep in our psyches, and so to be confronted with how we are ruining it can create too much discomfort. Not interested!
Recently I had such an experience. I heard about a movie called “The Cove” which I understood as a film depicting the terrible plight of dolphins, and I couldn’t bear to even watch the trailer. Just reading how dolphins in captivity can commit suicide made me want to weep.
Then I saw a blog post by Amy Gotliffe of KQED in northern California after she had seen the film premiere in San Francisco.
I sat back, marveled at the audience rich with environmental leaders, munched my popcorn, and proceeded to have my world rocked. The Cove is indeed a nature and conservation movie, but throw in spy movie, hero movie, horror movie and action flick and you have a more accurate description.
She describes the net effect of the film as fun. Yes, a film about the tragedy of dolphins being fun. It made me want to see the movie after all. Read her post. You’ll want to see it too.
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July 27th, 2009
The Green Screen Film Festival & Salon is seeking short and feature length films in both narrative and documentary genres. In addition there will be 2 special categories: student films and not-for-profit PSAs. All films should have an environmental idea or issue, personality, or perspective as a primary focus. Narrative films can be experimental, realistic or speculative in nature, so long as the environment figures substantially in the story. All submissions will be asked, “Why is it important for people to see your film?” The answer to that question will be given equal weight in the selection process along with questions of artistic merit.
All submissions must include the following:
• a DVD of the film
• a completed submission form
• a check or money order for the submission fee made out to “The Electric Lodge” **
The deadline for submissions is September 15, 2009. (postmark). Submission forms can be downloaded from the website at http://greenscreenfilmfestival.com
Submission fees:**
• $25 for short films (under 60 minutes) and
• $40 for feature films (60 minutes and over).
**Student films and not-for-profit PSAs are exempt from submission fees. Their entry packet must include a xerox of a student ID or proof of not-for-profit status.
Submissions should be mailed to: Green Screen Film Festival & Salon, 1416 Electric Avenue, Venice, CA 90291
For more information,email questions to submissions@greenscreenfilmfestival.com
For general questions, call Lizl Pace at 310.8230710.
For submissions questions, call Susan diRende 310.403.2882
The Electric Lodge, one of the first solar-powered performing arts centers in America, has been a laboratory for artists and environmentalists for over 13 years. The Lodge engages with the community through the visual and performing arts, innovative classes, programs and seminars, providing experiential contexts and opportunities for dialogue. The Electric Lodge is a torch bearer in the effort to stimulate public understanding and support for the creation of a sustainable worldwide ecosystem.
Tags: Electric Lodge, Electric Lodge Venice, Green Screen, Green Screen Film Festival, Green Screen Film Festival Salon, Joel Shapiro, Lizl Pace, Susan diRende
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