Press Kit

The tenth anniversary edition of Canada's preeminent environmental film festival, Planet in Focus International Environmental Film & Video Festival, runs October 21 through October 25 in Toronto with 85 of the world's best environmental films by Canadian and international filmmakers.

The festival is celebrating its 10-year milestone with a timely Spotlight Program looking to the future titled Fast Forward Toward a 20/20 Vision.

The Opening Night Gala at the Royal Cinema features the Toronto premiere of Finding Farley (2009, Canada), written and directed by Gemini Award Winner (Being Caribou) Leanne Allison and produced by the National Film Board of Canada. As well as the filmmaker and her family, the screening will feature a special appearance by Farley Mowat himself, author of over 40 books, one of Canada's most beloved literary figures and a tireless advocate for environmental issues.

Download High-Resolution Photo.

When Karsten Heuer and Leanne Allison (Being Caribou) set out to retrace the literary footsteps of Farley Mowat they meant it literally. Their 5000KM trip -- trekking, sailing, portaging and paddling from the Prairies to the Maritimes with their two year old son and dog!- is captured in this classic feature documentary.

Download High-Resolution Photo.

Photo from the Closing Gala Film, the English-language premiere of Earth Keepers (2009), directed by Sylvie Van Brabant.

Once an angry young man, now a young father, Mikael Rioux is concerned about the legacy he will leave. His mentor, Christian de Laet, suggests meeting visionaries with projects for the future of society. Earth Keepers is a manifesto against apathy.

Download High-Resolution Photo.

Photo from The Bagyeli Pygmies at the Fringes of the World
Director: François-Philippe Gallois
Premiere: World Premiere
Country: France
Year: 2009
Length: 85 min
Type of film: Feature
Genre: Documentary
Language: French with English Subtitles
Website: www.bagyeli.com
 

Modernization has reached the tropical forests of South Cameroon, where the Bagyeli pygmies struggle to maintain their traditions while adapting to new ways of life. An urgent and compelling documentary on a unique culture in crisis.

Download High Resolution Photo.

Photo from Chinese Program: Rural Litigation
Director: Han Wan Feng
Premiere: World
Actors: Men Hai Yan
Country: China
Year: 2008
Length: 90 min
Type of film: Feature
Genre: Drama
Language: Mandarin with English subtitles
Legend: CH, H, H20, R
Website: www.enghunan.gov.cn
Co-presented by Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival

Single mother Song Sanmei owes money to a group of gangsters, who are threatening to tear her house down. Rural Litigation is essential viewing for anyone interested in the ethical complexities of environmentalism in the developing world.

Download High Resolution Photo.

Title: Voices From El Sayed
Premiere: Canadian
Director: Oded Adomi Leshem
Country: Israel
Type of Film: Feature
Genre: documentary
Time: 75 min
Language: Hebrew/ Sign language and Arabic with English subtitles
Legend: L&C, H
Website: www.go2films.com
Presented by: Planet in Focus, Voices Forward & International Diaspora Festival as part of the Land & Conflict Program

The Bedouin village of El Sayed houses the largest community of deaf people in the world. When Salim, a villager is presented with an opportunity to offer his son Muhammad a cochlear implant the close-knit community has mixed reactions in this beautiful and layered documentary.

2009 Planet in Focus International Environmental Film & Video Festival

Oct. 21 - Oct. 25, 2009
For screening tickets ($10/$8 students & seniors), visit www.planetinfocus.org OR call the Box Office at 416-967-1528 OR visit the Box Office in person at 2 Carlton St., West Mezzanine, Toronto.