Thursday, August 25, 2011

Planet in Focus Film Festival announces opening, closing films


PLANET IN FOCUS ANNOUNCES
REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR, NARRATED BY TIM ROBBINS
AS OPENING NIGHT GALA
AND
THE WHALE, NARRATED BY RYAN REYNOLDS
AS CLOSING NIGHT GALA

THE 12TH ANNUAL EDITION OF PLANET IN FOCUS TO BE HELD IN TORONTO FROM OCTOBER 12-16, 2011
Opening and Closing Night to take place at TIFF Bell Lightbox

TORONTO, August 24, 2011 — The 12th Annual Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival, Canada's largest and longest running environmental film festival, kicks off with a big start and finish with this year’s Opening and Closing Night Galas: REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR, narrated by Tim Robbins, and THE WHALE, narrated by Ryan Reynolds.  Planet in Focus runs from October 12–16, 2011 across Toronto, and features five days of galas, film screenings, workshops and more!  

In 2006, thousands of new electric cars were purposely destroyed by the same car companies that built them. Today, less than five years later, the electric car is back... with a vengeance. In the highly entertaining documentary REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR, director Chris Paine (Who Killed the Electric Car?) gets extraordinary access behind the closed doors of Nissan, GM, and the Silicon Valley start-up Tesla Motors to chronicle the story of the global resurgence of electric cars.

THE WHALE, executive produced by Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johannson and narrated by Ryan Reynolds, tells the true story of Luna, a baby orca who gets separated from his family and starts to make friends with humans on the rugged West Coast of Vancouver Island. The film is directed by Suzanne Chisholm and David Parfit. 

“I am delighted to have these two powerful films bookend our festival,” says Sarah Margolius, Executive Director of Planet in Focus. “They embody the often contradictory forces at play in debates about the state of our planet. One is a provocative documentary about the quest to develop a zero emission automobile, which will help to end our society’s reliance on fossil fuels, and the other is a majestic personal tale of how a lone, lost baby whale reveals the difficulties of wildlife protection in the face of shrinking natural habitats. There is truly something for everyone at this year’s festival.”

This year, Planet in Focus will shine a spotlight on the theme of landscapes, looking at contemporary film- and videomakers who are challenging and redefining our changing perceptions of landscape.

“We are excited to be presenting a diversity of films that examine how human-made and natural landscapes shape our identity and future,” says Kathleen Mullen, Director of Programming.

While the full program won’t be launched until the September 22 Press Conference, Planet in Focus is thrilled to reveal a sneak peek of one of the highlights in the festival lineup:

THE POLAR EXPLORER — Filmmaker Mark Terry, who will be awarded the Gemini Humanitarian Award this year for his work on climate change, explores the rapidly changing Arctic and Antarctic, uncovering new life on the ocean seabed and other previously inaccessible areas of the Arctic seas. From polar bears to penguins, The Polar Explorer provides an up-to-the minute status report on the Earth’s polar extremes and the latest climate change discoveries. 

Last year’s Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival enjoyed record attendance, as audiences turned out in force to attend films and special events. Rounding out an exciting line-up of public screenings, the festival will once again focus on the film and television industry, expanding to include two days of panels, workshops and pitch sessions devoted to film production, distribution and funding.  The Green Pitch, a funding program offered to Canadian filmmakers, will also take place during the Industry Series. This competition offers participants the opportunity to test their green story ideas in front of a jury of creative professionals. Finalists will gain valuable, first-hand feedback as they present their pitches for the chance to win $5,000.00 in development funding and valuable in-kind services. Past winners have included Yung Chang's Up the Yangtze.

The School Program for elementary and secondary school students will feature entertaining and informative films designed to educate and inspire children and youth. In addition, the free Children's Program will bring exciting and creative animations and short films to children aged 3–6 and 7–13, along with an entirely free Green Sprouts Youth Filmmakers Showcase, presenting films made by youth ages 13–18 from Toronto and around the globe. A full list of films comprising the children's and youth screenings will be announced in September.

Planet in Focus is Canada's leading not-for-profit environmental media arts organization, producing year-round programming across Canada and around the world and fostering a new generation of environmental filmmakers.

For more information visit: www.planetinfocus.org

IMPORTANT DATES:

Passes on Sale Now for the 12th Annual Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival
September 22, 2011 — Planet in Focus media conference
September 23, 2011 — Tickets on sale for Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival
October 12-16, 2011 — Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival



Ticket Prices

Early Bird Special available until September 23 at 5 PM

Early Bird Festival Pass: $85

Early Bird All-Access Festival Pass: $110

Early Bird Industry Series Pass: $50

Student Industry Series Pass: $40

6-Ticket Pack: $50

Regular Prices

Individual tickets go on sale September 23 after 5 PM

Festival Pass: $100

All-Access Pass Regular price: $130

Industry Series Pass: $60

Regular Ticket Price: $12 Students & Seniors: $10

5 PM screenings on weekdays and the first screening on weekends: $5

Industry sessions: $15 each

Opening and Closing Night Galas (includes film and party): $22

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