Vancouver Green Film festival May 8-11 2008

AFTER PARTY 9:00PM

• Official selection Sundance Film Festival 2009

THE END OF THE LINE is the world?s first major documentary about the effect of overfishing. Imagine an ocean without fish. Imagine your meals without seafood. Imagine the global consequences. This is the future if we do not stop, think and act. From the Straits of Gibraltar to the coasts of Senegal and Alaska to the Tokyo fish market ? The End of the Line features top scientists, indigenous fishermen and fisheries enforcement officials in a wake-up call to the world. Scientists predict that if we continue fishing as we are now, we will see the end of most seafood by 2048. The End of the Line presents key issues and offers achievable solutions while stressing that political will and activism are crucial factors to solving this international problem.

SPEAKER: David Suzuki, PhD co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation, is an award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster. David has received consistently high acclaim for his 30 years of award-winning work in broadcasting, explaining the complexities of science in a compelling, easily understood way. He is well known to millions as the host of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's popular science television series, The Nature of Things.

SPEAKER: Wes Erikson is a fourth generation commercial fisherman, and has fished all along the west coast of Canada for decades. Involved in the commercial fisheries advisory process for over 20 years, Wes is also a chef and restaurant owner of two restaurants: one in Qualicum Beach, the other on Mt. Washington.

SPEAKER: Scott Wallace is currently a sustainable fisheries analyst at the David Suzuki Foundation in Vancouver, and an adjunct professor at the Fisheries Centre at UBC. Dr. Wallace is actively involved in several fishery advisory processes in Canada where he advocates for broader ecosystem considerations in fisheries management decision making. He is also author of "Basking sharks: The slaughter of BC?s gentle giants," the poignant story of the extirpation of basking sharks from BC coasts.

• Audience Award, Special Jury Award, Amazonas Film Festival, Manaus, Brazil
• Coup de Coeur Award, Festival International du Film d'Environnement, Paris
• International Documentary Film Festival, Amsterdam (IDFA)
• DOCSDF: Mexico City International Film Festival

ADDICTED TO PLASTIC is a smart, funny, and illuminating film that examines plastic pollution around the world. This point-of-view style documentary encompasses three years of filming in 12 countries on 5 continents, including two trips to the middle of the Pacific Ocean where plastic debris accumulates. The film details plastic's path over the last 100 years and provides a wealth of expert interviews on practical and cutting edge solutions to recycling, toxicity and biodegradability. Informative as it is entertaining, this film leaves viewers charged to take action and equipped with fun and simple solutions to combat worldwide plastic pollution. "Not merely a diatribe against overconsumption and littering, the program surveys how plastic is used, disposed of, and recycled into usable materials" - Booklist

SPEAKER: Tricia Stevens and Erika Edwards work with LUSH Cosmetics as pioneers of package free consumer products. Tricia and Erika will provide a fun and entertaining workshop on plastic reduction in everyday life as well as offering ideas for sustainable alternatives.

PROJECTING CHANGE YOUTH DAY SHORTS A compilation of short films made by BC-based youth exploring how simple ideas can create big change.

SPEAKER: Gavin Hollet the Founder and Executive Director of Opportunitas Aequa (OA). OA is a BC based non-profit organization that uses the unifying power of soccer to create stronger and healthier communities in at-risk and war-affected regions of the world. Gavin's worldwide grassroots organization is based on a simple idea he had as a youth to create positive change for others.

In a world of automobiles, can one yellow bike make a difference? Of course not. But a fleet of bikes might create a new model for sustainable transportation.TALE OF A YELLOW BIKE follows manager of the Toronto Bike Share Program, Maogosha Pyjor, as she struggles to keep this non-profit community service alive at a time when its principle and contribution to the environment should be indisputable. By visiting Europe, North America, Columbia and China, Maogosha finds visionaries and a multitude of different models of bike sharing that have found their place in big and small cities alike. It is fascinating to see how people perceive bikes in different parts of the world from being a recreational ?toy?, to a means of survival. Cities need more bikes and less cars for so many reasons ? we just need an efficient plan to make it work. This beautiful documentary will make you want to pedal home.

SPEAKER: Tina Hahn is the director of Tale of a Yellow Bike and founder of Symmetree media, an award-winning producer of programming that incorporates health and creativity with a multi-cultural perspective. She has produced and directed programming for Discovery Health Channel Canada, CTV, Bravo! Canada, Book Television, Knowledge Network and SCN. She plans to build upon the environmental themes of "Tales of a Yellow Bike" with an interactive social game, "Green City Challenge." Tina is an active member of the film community and currently serves as Co-Chair on the National Executive of the Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC).

• Audience Award 2008 International Documentary Association
• Best Documentary 2008 HD FEST Los Angeles
• Best in Show-Documentary Indie Fest 2008

FOOD FIGHT When we walk into a supermarket, we assume that we have the widest possible choice of healthy foods. But in fact, over the course of the 20th century, our food system was co-opted by corporate forces whose interests do not lie in providing the public with fresh, healthy, sustainably-produced food. Fortunately, an alternative emerged from the counter-culture of California in the late 1960s and early 1970s, where a group of political anti-corporate protesters?led by Alice Waters of Chez Panisse?voiced their dissent by creating a food chain outside of the conventional system. The unintended result was the birth of a vital local-sustainable-organic food movement that has brought back taste and variety to our tables. "Who knew the taste of vegtables would start a revolution" ? Marion Nestle

SPEAKERS: A panel of sustainable food experts including farmers, chefs and agricultural leaders will lead a discussion on the benefits and ways to increasing local food production. Get ready to build up an appetite for healthy, local food.

BEHIND THE WHEEL follows a diverse group of artists, filmmakers, and musicians living together in a converted school bus as they set out to fill in a national narrative about the true ability of film to create change. Bumping into such luminaries as Dead Prez, director Oliver Stone, guerilla poster artist Robbie Conal and others, Behind the Wheel Behind is an amazing final summary of the Bush years that demanded united change. As politicians stand up and promise change to the nation, people with a lot less power than the politicians are out there actually making a difference. "You're trying to change things by doing pure actions. In an impure world, that's a beautiful thing - Oliver Stone

SPEAKER: Sean George It is said that all art is inherently social; recording something of the artist existence and environment. But what makes a work of art an act of social resistance? The talk will examine three artists whose work have sparked the flames of change and controversy: Goya's - Los Caprichos, The Disasters of War, Billie Holiday's - singing of Strange Fruit, and Primo Levi's - If This Is A Man. Sean George is an artist, educator and cultural worker. For the last 13 years he has worked as an animateur at the Vancouver Art Gallery, he teaches 20th century design history and is currently working on an upcoming exhibition in 2010 at the grunt gallery.

• *Sock drive for the homeless - Bring a pair of new socks and receive free breakfast!

BROKEN DOWN is a gritty, compassionate film that follows BC aboriginal filmmaker, Harold C. Joe, as he explores homelessness in Vancouver?s downtown eastside and the Cowichan Valley. Harold spends four days living on the streets in order to reveal some of the reasons why individuals become homeless and how drugs and alcohol keep them that way.

SPEAKER: Director Harold C. Joe, Homelessness Advocate Judy Graves and local MLA David Chudnovsky will lead a panel discussion on current conditions and solutions to Vancouver?s downtown eastside. Engaging and thought provoking this is an event NOT TO BE MISSED.

MARCH POINT follows Cody, Nick and Travis, three teens from the Swinomish Indian Tribe, want to make a gangster movie, but instead they are encouraged to use video cameras to investigate the impact of two oil refineries on their tribal community. March Point follows their journey as they come to understand themselves, the environment and the threat their people face. Ambivalent environmental ambassadors at the onset, the boys grapple with their assignment through humor, sarcasm and a candid self-knowledge. "This was a beautiful film. It somehow managed to be about growing up, native american issues, environmental issues, the process of making a film, and the transformative power of art - seamlessly." - Robert N.

SPEAKER: TBA -

Fierce Light: When Spirit Meets Action is a global journey tracing the roots of spiritual activism by acclaimed filmmaker Velcrow Ripper. The film is the second in a trilogy that began with his award-winning documentary Scared Sacred. Featuring visionary Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn, Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker, famed tree sitter Julia Butterfly Hill and Hollywood celebrity-turned-activist Daryl Hannah, Fierce Light is a groundbreaking feature documentary from the critically acclaimed filmmakers who brought us Scared Sacred and The Corporation."The most beautiful documentary I have ever seen! It was one of these experiences that change you forever." -Loneshewolf

SPEAKER: Deborah Harford, Executive Director, ACT, SFUAs executive director of ACT (SFU's Adaptation to Climate Change Team), Deborah is responsible for development of the initiative?s pioneering vision and its unique partnerships with the public and private sectors, as well as coordination and management of the program. Through her efforts, ACT has created networks between local, national and international climate change research practitioners, NGOs, industry representatives, all levels of government, First Nations groups and local communities, as well as high-profile public events such as the recent International Climate Impacts and Responses conference featuring speakers from Africa, South America, Australia and the Arctic. Deborah?s work with ACT has gained her national recognition as a resource for those seeking information on climate change adaptation and practical coping strategies. An experienced researcher and writer, Deborah?s previous work includes consulting for a variety of telecommunications, financial and business clients as a communications advisor. She is an award-winning graduate of SFU, where she studied Communications, English and Dialogue.

WASTE = FOOD explores the revolutionary "cradle to cradle" (as opposed to "cradle to grave") concept through interviews with its leading proponents, American architect William McDonough and German ecological chemist Michael Braungart. This new theory of ecologically intelligent design argues that manufacturers' products, when discarded, should either be completely recyclable in the Technosphere or become biodegradable food for the Biosphere. Their "intelligent product system," utilizes non-toxic and sustainable production methods and has been adapted by major corporations around the world with demonstrated social and financial success. McDonough and Braungart demonstrate how the 'what if' questions and the resolve to do more than just 'sustain' the environment lead to very creative, efficient and effective ways to eradicate waste." ?Janis Tyhurst, Educational Media Reviews Online

SPEAKER: Mike Sommer works with Canadian companies to identify economic benefits of ?going green.? By exploring the ?triple bottom line? (Environmental, Social and Economic Impacts) companies are able to increase profits while making socially and environmentally responsible choices. Mike has collaborated on projects with a number of leaders in the global sustainability movement including Walter Stahel (Product Life Cycle, Geneva), best-selling author and green innovator Andrew Winston (From Green to Gold), Wal-Mart, Unilever, AON Risk Management, Cisco, the U.S. Green Buildings Council (LEED), the American Institute of Architects, the Presidio School of Management, Clayco, and Nortel.

• Official Selection Hot Docs 2008
• Winner - Audience Award Hot Docs 2008

RUNNING THE SAHARA: Narrated by Academy Award winner Matt Damon and directed by Academy Award winner James Moll, RUNNING THE SAHARA documents a landmark moment in athleticism, in humanitarianism, and in history. Three men?Ray Zahab (Canada), Charlie Engle (USA), and Kevin Lin (Taiwan)?undertake a quest that no human being has ever achieved--running across the Sahara Desert. For 111 days and over 4800 miles, these three determined individuals prove that the impossible is possible. This incredible feat is underscored by the recurring theme of water - a daily necessity for the runners and a daily struggle for the people of Africa. Throughout this life-altering run, the runners promote H2O Africa, a charity that strives to promote clean drinking water for impoverished areas."When I heard about what the runners were planning to attempt, I was blown away and determined to be a part of it," said Matt Damon.

SPEAKER: Ray Zahab Winner of some of the world's most difficult and challenging ultra-distance foot races, Ray Zahab is motivated by challenge, distance and discovery. Late in 1998, Ray made a life changing decision to leave a pack-a-day smoking habit and very unhealthy life choices behind him. On New Year's Day 2000, he decided to go hiking with his brother John and has never looked back. In 2007, Ray Zahab and two others made history by running 4300 miles across the entire Sahara Desert raising awareness for clean-water initiatives in Africa. This feat consisted of running an average of 70 km per day for 111 days in extreme desert conditions through six countries. After witnessing and experiencing the water crisis and malaria epidemic in Africa, Ray decided to dedicate his future adventures to raising awareness and funding for causes that he supports and believes in. On January 7, 2009 Ray and two other Canadians, broke the world speed record from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole. In the process, Ray became the first person to trek to the South Pole on this traditional 1130 km route solely on foot.

BLUE GOLD: WORLD WATER WARS explores the fact that in every corner of the globe, we are polluting, diverting, pumping, and wasting our limited supply of fresh water at an expediential level as population and technology grows. The rampant overdevelopment of agriculture, housing and industry increase the demands for fresh water well beyond the finite supply, resulting in the desertification of the earth. The film follows numerous worldwide examples of people fighting for their basic right to water, from court cases to violent revolutions to U.N. conventions to revised constitutions to local protests at grade schools. As Maude Barlow proclaims, ?This is our revolution, this is our war?. A line is crossed as water becomes a commodity. Will we survive?"Sounds the same sweeping alarms as Inconvenient Truth, only about our dwindling water supplies." - Toronto Star

SPEAKER(S): Representatives from the Blue Communities Project and Water Matters will discuss key issues on the future of BC's water supply and what you can do to make sure it is protected.

PASSION FOR SUSTAINABILITY follows fourteen business leaders in the Pacific Northwest, who are dealing with the most important challenge facing mankind today by following the four scientific principles of The Natural Step. The success stories of these Natural Step member companies prove the economic benefits of sustainability as well as firmly establishing that sustainability can be achieved anywhere there are people and businesses committed to living and working in harmony with natural systems. "The documentary may well spark discussions and perhaps inspire others to consider adopting a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly approach in their business plans." -Busiess Owner

SPEAKER: Marc Stoiber is the Creative Director of Change ? a company that brands innovative green products and services. Change is focused on helping corporations understand the green brand landscape, find a direction for their green brands, and communicate green brand benefits to consumers. Marc sees first hand the value and economic benefit of companies that have gone green.

THE END OF THE LINE is the world?s first major documentary about the devastating effect of overfishing. Imagine an ocean without fish. Imagine your meals without seafood. Imagine the global consequences. This is the future if we do not stop, think and act. From the Straits of Gibraltar to the coasts of Senegal and Alaska to the Tokyo fish market ? The End of the Line features top scientists, indigenous fishermen and fisheries enforcement officials in a wake-up call to the world. Scientists predict that if we continue fishing as we are now, we will see the end of most seafood by 2048. The End of the Line presents key issues and offers achievable solutions while stressing that political will and activism are crucial factors to solving this international problem.

SPEAKER: Dr. Colin Campbell was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, and after a youth spent bush-walking and spear-fishing was trained in a Zoology and Palaeontology. He spent the late 60's and early 70's in Berkeley, California, acquiring his PhD in studies of marsupial evolution and the ecology of inland Australia as it was 17 million years ago. The seeds of environmental concern were planted in the Berkeley years, and a professional fascination with extinction processes led him to an ongoing focus on climate change and conservation issues. While living in Canberra Colin also served as a member of the national committee of the Australian Democrats, at a time when they held balance of power in the federal senate. Anticipating a move to activism, he studied environmental law for two years at the Australian National University before returning to Canada in 1998 where he lived on the Sunshine Coast, enjoying trout and salmon fishing on the beaches, streams and small lakes, and working as the Forest Caucus Coordinator for the BC Environmental Network from 2000-2003. In January 2004 he was elected Chair of the Executive Committee of the Sierra Club of Canada, BC Chapter, and six months later took a staff position there as Marine Campaign Coordinator. Presently, his time is occupied with climate change outreach on behalf of the Sierra Club and climate change issues in the context of Marine Use Planning.

• Official selection Sundance Film Festival 2009

• Closing film for the Sundance Film Festival 2009

EARTH DAYS is a feature length documentary about the origins of the modern environmental movement told through the eyes of nine Americans who were inspired to act on what they believed was the most important challenge facing mankind. The film features active participants representing a diverse cross section of life and politics. Former Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall, renewable energy pioneer Hunter Lovins, biologist Paul Ehrlich, former Republican Congressman Pete McCloskey, and Apollo Nine astronaut Rusty Schweickart are among the people highlighted. Each reflects on their awakening to an environmental crisis, and the unprecedented movement that grew out of their response to that crisis. Earth Days examines both the groundbreaking achievements and missed opportunities of a decade of activism. "What we were trying to do is to create a brand new public consciousness that would cause the rules of the game to change?it was wild and exciting and out of control?and the sort of thing that lets you know you've got something big happening." ?Denis Hayes, National Coordinator, Earth Day

SPEAKER: Jamie Biggar is a climate change organizer and researches ecological governance at the POLIS Project on Ecological Governance. He primarily works with youth and has co-founded several student-led climate change initiatives including Common Energy and the BC Campus Climate Network. He is both the Chair-Elect of the Sierra Club of BC and a member of the BC government's Citizen's Conservation Council for Vancouver Island.