Green Planet Films is pleased to announce the DVD release of a new film by Katja Torneman. ANNA, EMMA, AND THE CONDORS.

In a world of climate change and environmental catastrophies, two sisters Anna and Emma and their companions, the California Condors, stand out as a beacon of hope. Together with their father, Chris Parish, the director of the Peregrine Fund at Vermillion Cliffs, and their mother, Ellen Parish, teacher and leader for the environmental organization Roots and Shoots, they fight for the survival of the California Condors.

It is currently in film festivals now, with more festivals being added each week. The screening is already sold out in Sedona, and the festival is still a week away.

A lovely well shot film that helps us to understand the plight of the Condor.
Sedona International Film Festival 2012

According to an interview in the AZ Edge, “one filmgoer told Torneman her hunter friend stopped using lead bullets after seeing her film. That’s her goal with her films, to change attitudes, one person at a time.”

Vegucated, a new documentary from writer/director Marisa Miller Wolfson, attempts to educate a mainstream audience about the ethical and environmental implications of what’s for dinner.

BY BRENNA C.
via www.sparked.com

Compared favorably with Super Size Me, Vegucated follows three meat and cheese lovers for six weeks as they attempt to follow a radically different way of eating…. by going vegan! Along the way the film gently educates both the participants and the audience about the horrors of factory farming; but, they must learn on their own how to balance social obligations surrounding food with their shifting perspectives.

The documentarians rely on people like you and me to screen their film. So, if you’d like to see it on the big screen take a look on their website, getveucated.com, for a community screening near you or to buy a screening license to show to film yourself.

You can also rent it instantly on Amazon, Vudo, Xbox, and Playstation for $2.99 or keep it forever for $14.99. Or if you’d rather have something for your DVD collection or are planning a holiday gift for a budding vegan in your life the DVDs are available for sale on their website.

We just read in Media Post that Discovery Network’s brand Planet Green will have its own renovation.

Discovery now has $1 billion to spend on content for its various networks, and no doubt part of that will be directed to Planet Green.  CEO David Zaslav recently said “Planet Green did not work, and we’re going to be making a change there,” at a Broadcasting & Cable event. After taking a look at their upcoming schedule, we didn’t see too much ‘green’ content…(perhaps there are green martians in the UFO series?). Planet Green has always been a great idea, and we hope that it finds its real niche soon. Having a broadcast channel for ‘green content’ is remarkable. Making it one which viewers consistently watch  and advertisers support…that be the challenge. Its choosing the right content for current viewers, OR changing the viewer base. Attracting new viewers to a program schedule filled with important content containing a lot of meat (err, super firm tofu?) that they can learn from about environmental  issues facing us and solutions to use  TODAY.

How to do that?  Perhaps consider airing environmental films, 24/7.  There are so many well done eco documentaries produced, yet they never see the light of the television screen unless its by DVD or streaming.  Sure, they will make some people mad, like Pipe Dreams, some people sad then motivated, (GREEN and How I Became an Elephant),  make you sit up and take notice like Climate Refugees, but others will also make you laugh as you discover (Bag It, and Vegucated and GARBAGE The Revolution Starts at Home.  The bottom line is when a person watches these types of documentaries, they WILL remember what they saw, and perhaps choose differently at the grocery store, reuse more, volunteer, donate, and CARE more. It all starts with Caring.  While Edward R. Murrow may not have had to worry about potential advertisers, he did ”get it” when it comes to the power of BROADcast.  He saw the potential the newly unveiled TV set. We can’t help but close with our favorite Murrow quote.

”This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference. This weapon of television could be useful.”‘

We look forward to the future Planet Green.

How many jobs would justify risking the contamination of aquifer that provides fresh water to most of the Midwest? 1,000? 5,000? What if they were only temporary jobs?

BY BRENNA C. via www.sparked.com
These are some of the many policy issues likely to be raised in the wake of Leslie Iwerks’s new documentary Pipe Dreams. The film documents the path of the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline through interviews with the people who would be most affected by its construction. The proposed pipeline would carry a thick, sticky form of crude oil known as oil sands from Alberta, Canada through the Midwest to refineries in the Gulf Coast of Texas. Along the way the pipeline would pass though the Ogallala Aquifer, which provides fresh water to much of the Midwest’s breadbasket.

The concerns raised by this documentary won’t be answered until after the 2012 U.S. election as President Obama as deferred acting upon the matter until 2013.

Screenings of this film are just starting, visit the website to see when a screening is near you. DVDs are available now at www.pipedreamsdoc.com. Keep an eye open in February, because the film made the short list for Oscar consideration in the Documentary Shorts category.

]]> http://greenplanetfilms.org/blog/?feed=rss2&p=587 0 http://greenplanetfilms.org/blog/?p=578 http://greenplanetfilms.org/blog/?p=578#comments Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:22:09 +0000 admin http://greenplanetfilms.org/blog/?p=578

Green Planet Films has  many posts to add and would like to add them to a fresh new blog look and feel. If you have any suggestions (plus links to) a Wordpress Theme compatible with version 3.2.1, then please make a comment below and we’ll check it out!  We will gift a one month free subscription to our streaming site www.greenplanetstream.org (pictured above) to the person who suggested winning blog theme!

Green Planet Films supplies many resources to the EPA’s Award Winning Libraries.  With more and more online technology and the Internet, some people might wonder, “Are libraries even necessary anymore?” EPA’s National Library Network is proof positive that libraries serve a critical need – and now EPA has an award that speaks to the relevance of its libraries in today’s information world: Library of the Year.

Deborah Balsamo from the EPA’s Office of Information Analysis and Access shared this blog post to shine light on the libraries prestigious award.  For the original post please visit the EPA’s official blog.

On May 17, 2011, the Library of Congress presented EPA with the Federal Library and Information Center Committee’s (FLICC) 2010 “Federal Library/Information Center of the Year” award. You might say it’s the “academy award” in the world of libraries, and we at EPA are very proud of this accomplishment!

As EPA’s National Library Network program manager for the past four years, I am so excited to see that we’re being recognized as a real leader in creating a vibrant and collaborative community. Every day I see our libraries respond to patrons’ needs through innovative projects such as:

• EPA’s Online Library System (OLS) – discover a treasure trove of environmental information in this comprehensive index to EPA publications.
• National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP) – read, print, or download free EPA publications from the Agency’s digital archive
• Frequent Questions reference system – get answers to frequently asked questions or submit your own question to EPA librarians

Whether seeking information on an environmental topic, searching for an EPA publication or requesting assistance with EPA’s many online tools, I encourage you to try out our library system, now celebrating its 40th anniversary. Information professionals at EPA are dedicated to supporting you by providing timely and accurate information. In fiscal year 2010 alone, EPA’s librarians serve as a point of contact for public inquiries, answering nearly 9,000 public reference questions and loaning more than 8,000 documents!

To read more about EPA’s “Federal Library of the Year Award,” check out the press release from the Library of Congress: Federal Library of the Year Award .

Written by Deborah Balsamo, for the original post please visit the EPA’s official blog.

On April 22, 2010, filmmakers around the world gave a voice to the planet’s forests. This year, the camera is in your hands.  Sign up for this years film contest today and let us know what  “Breath of the Planet” means to you? 

DEADLINE: May 30, 2011.

LENGTH: All films must be between 30 seconds to 3 minutes.
LANGUAGE: Films submitted in any language other than English must be subtitled in English.
THEME: What does “Breath of the Planet” mean to you? Filmmakers are encouraged to be creative with this theme. Films can even be based on one of many topics pertaining to tropical rainforests including, but not limited to:
·Rainforests · Deforestation · Indigenous and Forest Communities · Sustainable Development
·Biodiversity · Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation · Water Pollution

ENTRY LEVELS:
Films can be a number of different types, e.g., documentaries, narratives, animations, public service announcements (PSAs), etc. Please submit your film in one of the following three age and experience related categories:

Professional
Filmmakers whose work have been commissioned by or who have worked with a professional production company, or who have attended advanced training in filmmaking, including, but not limited to a Masters of Fine Arts in Film Production.

Amateur
Filmmakers who are not part of and whose work has never been comissioned by a professional production company, or who have not received advanced training in filmmaking.

Youth
Filmmakers between the ages of 12-18.

Non-Competitive Filmmakers of any age and experience can submit a film in this category. The film will not be considered for prizes but is available for viewing and screening as films entered for competition.

Understanding the economic challenges of many international regions, limitations on access to media resources, and our commitment to encouraging global participation, there will be NO FEE to enter the 3-Minute Film Challenge.

For more information and terms and conditions please visit Films for Forest.

Premiering in five cities across Britain, the first national UK Green Film Festival, which runs from 20 – 22 May 2011, will show a selection of the best films, documentaries and shorts that highlight climate change and other environmental issues. Produced by volunteers from Igloo Regeneration and with formative links to the San Francisco and Washington DC environmental film festivals, this pioneering new film fiesta will feature world and UK film premieres along with some new takes on environmental classics. It will be held at independent cinemas in Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester and London, spreading wider in 2012.

Alongside feature length films being shown at the festival, short film makers are being invited to submit their work to be shown as part of the festival. Igloo’s John Long, one of the festival founders, said: “Igloo is working closely with creative industries in each of this year’s launch locations so we are conscious there is local filmmaking talent out there that may find this festival an ideal platform to promote their material to a wider audience and also bring important local issues to light. At this stage, we’re keen to hear from anyone who thinks they might have something of relevance.”

The UK Green Film Festival is the brainchild of Igloo’s Chris Brown and John Long. Igloo are a specialist development and regeneration manager committed to a policy of sustainable development designed to deliver benefits to four key stakeholder groups (the local community; creative industries; regeneration agencies; institutional investors). Working with influential property investor clients including Aviva Investors, Igloo is reshaping the investment landscape for urban regeneration and proves a worthy advocate for this thought provoking new festival.

Chris Brown commented: “Concerns around the environment and sustainability are increasingly moving from being a minority issue to much more of a mainstream interest. We want to do whatever we can to raise awareness of these issues and are conscious that people want to know what they can do in their own lives to make a difference – the UK Green Film Festival will do both and we are looking forward to what we think will be a fun, informative festival experience.”

The participating cinemas in 2011 are; Chapter in Cardiff; Glasgow Film Theatre; Hyde Park Picture House in Leeds; Phoenix Square in Leicester and Shortwave in Bermondsey, London. Each will be programming screenings with a supporting line-up of events being planned including talks and Q&A’s by filmmakers and guest speakers, outdoor bicycle powered screenings, live music and more.

The festival film programme was announced in March, to keep updated on the Festival visit the website or follow the Twitter feed @UKgreenfilms.

Sponsors are being sought for the UK Green Film Festival. All partners involved are contributing their time voluntarily, working hard to ensure that the festival is a success in its debut year with a view to becoming a highly anticipated annual event.

 Article from:   Creative Boom

CEO David Zaslav said Discovery Communications is looking at reinventing another one of its networks.

NEW YORK – Discovery Communications is looking at rebranding Planet Green, its channel focused on environmental issues and green lifestyle, CEO David Zaslav said Friday.

The company feels it could do something different and “more meaningful” with the network, he said during an earnings conference call. He didn’t provide specifics or hints about a possible new direction. He also didn’t signal the likely timing of a change.

Planet Green launched in mid-2008 as a rebranding of the former Discovery Home Channel.

Zaslav and his team have driven ratings and advertising growth at Discovery Communications via several network relaunches and rebrandings. At the start of the year, Discovery Health became OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, and in October, the former Discovery Kids became The Hub, among others.

From The Hollywood Reporter
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/planet-green-eyed-rebranding-98290

The First San Francisco Green Film Festival Includes Screenings of Over 60 Premiere Films From Around the Globe, Special Events, Parties, Panels And Educational Programs

O

Highlights include live satellite feed Q&A with iconic writer and environmentalist Margaret Atwood, and the West Coast premiere of Werner Herzog’s new feature documentary, visiting filmmakers from China, Sweden, UK, Canada, Brazil, Argentina and across the USA, spectacular Opening Night Green Carpet Gala, and more.

San Francisco, CA, January 24, 2011- The San Francisco Green Film Festival will launch March 3-6, 2011 and will be the first-ever festival of its kind on the West Coast presenting inspiring programs and discussions that link films and media arts with environmental advocacy and activism. For more information please visit:  www.sfgreenfilmfest.org

o
The Festival will include screenings of over 60 premieres from around the globe and kicks off with an Opening Night Green Carpet Gala on Thursday, March 3rd at the beautiful LEED-certified Bently Reserve (formerly the City’s U.S. Federal Reserve).

In celebration of the Opening Night’s “plastic pollution theme,” the Festival will screen the Bay Area premiere of the award-winning film BAG IT, in partnership with Berkeley’s Plastic Pollution Coalition.

o

“San Francisco is universally regarded as an epicenter of both the global Green Movement and as an activist and issue conscious film community,” says Rachel Caplan, the Festival Founder and Director. “This amazingly diverse city has many film festivals but none that directly and solely addresses these issues and audiences – The San Francisco Green Film Festival grew out of the need to fill that void.”

o

Festival screenings and events will take place at the Landmark Theatres Embarcadero Center Cinema and the Bently Reserve. These venues, in close proximity to each other, will create a dynamic hub at the Embarcadero, with an exceptional inaugural line-up including Bay Area premieres of award winners and audience favorites from the world’s top film festivals including Sundance, Berlin, SxSW and Toronto.

Werner Herzog

“We are proud of the world-class quality of films premiering at our inaugural festival with highlights including a live satellite feed Q&A with iconic writer and environmentalist Margaret Atwood, and the West Coast premiere of a new feature documentary by Werner Herzog,” says Caplan. “We are also thrilled that many internationally renowned filmmakers will be in attendance to screen their latest work and speak to Festival audiences including Fredrik Gertten, Sweden’s pre-eminent documentarian and investigative journalist and director of BANANAS!* and acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Huaqing Jin, director of Heavy Metal (the U.S. premiere).”

o

Other Programming highlights include: National Geographic Explorer, Jon Bowermaster’s SOLA:  Louisiana Water Stories – a topical film about personal stories focusing on water resources in South Louisiana and touching on the recent BP oil spill’s effect; Locally based husband and wife documentarians Steven and Ann Dunsky’s newest film Butterflies & Bulldozers about the global dilemma of economic growth versus species preservation seen through the fight over San Bruno Mountain; and the entertaining Back to the Garden, a time-lapse view of back-to-the-land “hippies”- living off-grid, insulated and isolated from mainstream culture and their moving personal stories of non-conformity and political activism-with lots of freedom but little cash.

o

The Festival is also an official part of the United Nations International Year of Forests 2011 and will be hosting content-related films and discussions to reinforce the message that forests are vital to the survival and well being of people everywhere.

o

The Festival’s Closing Night film, German Director Carl A. Fechner’s The 4^th Revolution: Energy Autonomy, is deemed “…the most inspirational, solutions-based environmental film out there” by the Vancouver International Film Festival.

Festival Program information and the schedule will be available on our website on February 1, 2011 at www.sfgreenfilmfest.org.

####

San Francisco Green Film Festival asks the community to “Kick Start” the first ever San Francisco Green Film Festival by becoming a Founding Supporter through their newly launched KICKSTARTER Campaign.