TORONTO, September 7, 2011 - - Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival today announced that its Industry Series is expanding to include two days of panels, three innovative programs, a pitch session and new funding opportunities during its upcoming 12th edition. The Industry Series represents a key crossroads for established and emerging filmmakers, broadcasters, distributors and business leaders interested in opportunities and collaboration in the environmental sector. The industry events will take place on Thursday, October 13 and Friday, October 14 at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre in Toronto, and will conclude with an awards ceremony and reception.
“Planet in Focus Industry Series brings together innovative pioneers, scientists, business leaders and Canadian and international filmmakers to collaborate and create business opportunities,” says Sarah Margolius, Executive Director, Planet in Focus. “We are delighted that this year we have increased the number of panels as a result of demand.”
In a new and significant move, this year Planet in Focus has initiated The Eco-Corporate Roundtable, a historic and innovative summit that builds bridges between environmental filmmakers and corporate business leaders by opening an alternative distribution channel. The diverse group of business leaders will include senior executives from Tim Horton’s, Loblaw and ING Direct. Andrew Nisker, director of the acclaimed film Garbage! The Revolution Starts at Home, will moderate the roundtable. Nisker’s latest film Chemerical, deals with experiencing life in a toxic-free environment. This panel is sponsored by DOC.
In addition, the festival also presents the highly anticipated Planet in Focus Green Screen Panel, which is devoted to cutting-edge developments in environmentally friendly film production practices. This free, interactive panel discussion will tackle the rewards, challenges and opportunities in greening productions of all budget ranges. Green Screen is sponsored by Toronto Film Office, Astral’s Harold Greenberg Fund, CMPA, Green Living, POV and Playback.
The inaugural Planet in Focus Green Screen Award, which consists of a cash prize of $5,000, recognizes a filmmaker or producer who has taken behind-the-scenes action to incorporate eco-friendly film production techniques in a film or television production. Sponsored by Astral’s Harold Greenberg Fund, the award will be given to the most inspiring story of green production practices that have taken place on set or during production. It will be presented during The Industry Series reception on Friday, October 14 at 5:30p.m.
Returning again this year is The Green Pitch – an exciting competition awarding $5,500 in development funding and services to the best eco-film idea. Finalists will pitch their projects before a jury of film and television professionals and gain valuable, first-hand feedback. Past winners have included Yung Chang’s award-winning Up the Yangtze. This program is sponsored by CBC The Nature of Things, Wallace Studios and Precision Transfer Technologies. The submission deadline is Friday, September 23.
Previously announced, Planet in Focus kicks off with two unforgettable Canadian premieres: the green carpet Opening Night Gala presentation of Revenge of the Electric Car, narrated by Tim Robbins and directed by Chris Paine (Who Killed the Electric Car?), and the Closing Night Gala presentation of The Whale, narrated by Ryan Reynolds and produced with the assistance of Telefilm Canada. Also announced was The Polar Explorer, directed by Mark Terry who was recently honoured with the Gemini Humanitarian Award for his work on climate change.
The Industry Program is generously supported by: Ontario Media Development Corporation, Toronto Film Office, Astral’s Harold Greenberg Fund, among others. Planet in Focus thanks sustaining funders: the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council and Toronto Arts Council. Special thanks to: Celebrate Ontario, Canadian Heritage and Ontario Trillium Foundation. Closing Night is presented by Discovery World HD and co-presented by WWF-Canada.
The full festival line-up will be revealed during a press conference on September 22 at the Royal Ontario Museum in the Earth Rangers Studio, Schad Biodiversity Gallery.
For a complete list of industry events, sponsors and for all additional information, please visit www.planetinfocus.org
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.
IMPORTANT DATES:
· Passes on sale now for the 12th Annual Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival
· September 22, 2011 – Planet in Focus press conference in Earth Rangers Studio, Schad Biodiversity Gallery at the Royal Ontario Museum
· September 23, 2011 – Tickets on sale for the Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival
· October 12-16, 2011 – Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival
· October 14-16, 2011 – Green Market Hospitality Suite (registered industry delegates only)
TICKET PRICES
· Early Bird Special available until September 23 at 5p.m.
· Early Bird All-Access Festival Pass: $110 (includes Industry Series)
· Early Bird Festival Pass: $85
· 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 5p.m.
· Festival Pass: $100
· All-Access Festival Pass: $130
· Industry Series Pass: $60
· Regular Ticket: $12
· Students & Seniors: $10
· 5 p.m. screenings on weekdays and first screening on weekends: $5
· Industry Sessions: $15 (each)
· Opening and Closing Night Galas (includes film and party): $22
No comments:
Post a Comment