2011 GEOGRAPHY OF HOPE FILM FESTIVAL
NEW THIS YEAR! The Geography of Hope Film Festival will hold its inaugural festival on February 25, 26, and 27, 2011 at The Dance Palace in Point Reyes Station. The GOHFF is part of the third Geography of Hope Conference that has quickly become one of Northern California’s most exceptional literary and art events. Chaired by former Poet Laureate of the United States, Robert Hass, and renowned poet, Brenda Hillman, the Conference and Film Festival theme for 2011 is “Reflections on Water.”
From the experimental to the educational, all GOHFF films spotlight water related issues including environmental, the sacred and spiritual, sport, adventure and political advocacy. Screenings include substantive discussions by filmmakers and panels composed of scientists, environmentalists, entertainers, artists and adventurers.
OPENING NIGHT FILM & GALA CELEBRATION
THE RIVER WHY
The Geography of Hope Film Festival is delighted to announce our Opening Night film, THE RIVER WHY, based on the 1983 Sierra Club novel of the same name. The film screens on February 25, 2011, at 7:00 PM at The Dance Palace, 503 B St. in Point Reyes Station, CA.
The River Why is an independent feature that artfully reveals through water metaphors a young man’s search for self-discovery in the Oregon wilderness. The River Why stars Zach Gilford as a funny and appealing young fly fisherman determined to move out of the shadow of his renowned outdoorsman father, played by William Hurt. The cast also includes Amber Heard, Kathleen Quinlan, William Devane, and Dallas Roberts. The natural world co-stars in this magical coming-of-age story which is produced by Kristi Denton Cohen of Peloton Productions based in Marin County and is directed by native San Franciscan Matthew Leutwyler.
A gala party follows the screening of The River Why. Live music and Northern California’s best food and wine will make for a scintillating, fun, and inspiring opening night launch to a weekend not to be missed.
Film lovers are invited to convene in West Marin on the edge of the rugged Point Reyes National Seashore to celebrate scintillating films and art. This beautiful setting, progressive culture and festival format will afford audiences a unique opportunity to view contemporary independent cinema. The GOHFF will be a festive, artistic event with numerous public art installations based on the festival theme “Reflections on Water.”
“We hope The River Why and all of the 2011 Geography of Hope Film Festival selections will inspire, educate and stimulate a call for action to our audiences by presenting films and offering intelligent discourse about our most important natural resource…water…the blood in life's veins,” said Film Festival Co-director Jane Sullivan.
THE RIVER WHY FILM CLIP
Entire Program and All Individual Screening Sessions are Now on Sale
Film Festival Passes and Opening Night tickets are now on sale at www.inticketing.com. The very reasonably priced Festival Passes are recommended as they provide entry to all Film Festival screenings, parties, events, panels and the filmmaker, artist and panelist reception on February 26.
FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM
The River Why is the first of many films with renowned film makers, activists and artists. Programmed in the eco-conscious festival line-up is the documentary GREENLIT by filmmaker Miranda Bailey who also produced the highly regarded independent film THE SQUID AND THE WHALE. GREENLIT follows the production of The River Why as it attempts to keep an environmentally friendly production green.
The GOHFF is excited about several symposium sessions that will feature provocative panelists. Filmmaker and Peabody Award winner Paul Kaufman will moderate an insightful program focusing on water archetypes in spirituality and rituals entitled “Water, Film, and the Mysteries of The Inner Life” featuring John Beebe of The SF Jung Institute and Ernest Callenbach former editor of Film Quarterly among others. A session in the works tentatively entitled "WE ART WATER: Artists and Advocates Speak” features artists Judith and Richard Lang of San Francisco’s Electric Works gallery, performance artists and eco-sexuals Annie Sprinkle PhD. and Beth Stephens, www.loveartlab.net.
The wide variety of film topics include among others, the acidification of the oceans, the Louisiana BP oil spill, overfishing and the problems cause by plastic pollution and a doc shot by Jacques Cousteau’s cinematographer features a swim with alligators in Africa. Cutting-edge adventure films about surfing and water pilgrimages involving kayaking, sailing, and swimming are in the line-up. A youth program will be presented in conjunction with the Dance Palace.
DONATIONS/SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The Geography of Hope Conference and Film Festival are non-profit events that depend upon the generosity of community-minded donors. The GOH is a fiscal sponsee of the Tomales Bay Library Association, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. Please download the “Sponsorship Package” which discusses the generous benefits of sponsorship contributions. Contributions are tax deductible as provided by law.