NY Wild Film Festival Event Program

explore • discover • protect

WILD

PREVIEW EVENT

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2011 6:00-10:30 PM

FOUNDER’S ADDRESS

W

elcome to the preview kick-off for the first annual New York WILD Film Festival!

This evening will give you a taste of what is in store next year when New York WILD launches with a full slate of public events spanning four days, starting from April 12-15, 2012.

New York WILD Film Festival was founded to explore questions about protecting the planet and to provide a framework for action.

WILD T E A M

Buff Kavelman Strategic Advisor Caroline Hunt Event Manager Christine Khawam In-kind Outreach Margherite Ottaviano Festival Assistant Darren Peterson Animation Logo Deborah Flores Graphic Design

As we near the one year anniversary of the tragic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, we are reminded of how the Earth and its precious resources are in jeopardy. More than ever, we are drawn to all things connected to the planet and aware of the urgency to save it.

Documentary film has become an enormously powerful and popular medium for this kind of outreach.

WILD celebrates the films and filmmakers who—through the power of their images and storytelling—promote awareness, educate, and inspire interest in exploring and conserving our natural world around us. WILD will help bring their efforts to a wider audience.

Tonight’s films are beautiful, moving, exhilarating and inspiring, and have the ability to unleash the passion for the planet in the heart of New Yorkers.

I hope you enjoy them!

Nancy Rosenthal Founder and Executive Director

w w w. n y w i l d f i l m f e s t i v a l . c o m

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Richard Wiese Host

Reception

6:00–7:00

Screenings and Q&A

7:00-9:30

Film:

The Krill is Gone (00:04)

Film:

Alone on the Wall (00:24)

Q&A:

Peter Mortimer Director

Q&A:

Alex Honnold Extreme Climber

Film:

Green (00:48)

Q&A:

Eric Dinerstein, World Wildlife Fund

Q&A:

Richard Zimmerman, Orangutan Outreach

Film:

Plastic State of Mind (00:03)

9:30–10:30

Wrap Party

WILD

ADVISORY BOARD

Rebecca Martin Director Expeditions Council National Geographic Society David Breashears Filmmaker and Adventurer

Eric Dinerstein Chief Scientist and Director, Conservation Science Program World Wildlife Fund

Richard Wiese Field Scientist and Journalist, Former President of The Explorer’s Club

Chris Palmer Director, Center for Environmental Filmmaking School of Communication American University

Flo Stone Founder and President DC Environmental Film Festival

FILMS

THE KRILL IS GONE

Producer Matt Briggs Director Jeffrey Bost

The incomparable Tom Kenny (Sponge Bob) with Jill Talley give voice to an animated cast of deep blue characters–including a Robin Leach like plankton, a ditzy Krill in search of her shell, and a celebrity tuna that looks and talks suspiciously like Al Gore–showing us how burning fossil fuels is impacting fragile underwater ecosystems.

ALONE ON THE WALL

Producers/ Directors Peter Mortimer Nick Rosen

Twenty-three year old Alex Honnold is taking the highstakes sport of free solo climbing to new heights.

Climbing truly massive walls without a rope, and zero chance of survival if he falls, Alex is calm and fearless (except when it comes to girls). But attempting the 2,000-foot wall of Yosemite’s Half Dome, the greatest free solo ever attempted, would finally teach Alex the meaning of fear.

FILMS

GREEN

Director Patrick Rouxel

Her name is GREEN. She is alone in a world that does not belong to her. She is a female orangutan, the victim of deforestation and resource exploitation. This film is an emotional journey with GREEN’s final days. With no narration, it is a visual ride presenting the devastating impacts of logging and land clearing for palm oil plantations, and the tragic end of rainforest biodiversity.

PLASTIC STATE OF MIND

Producer Ben Zolno

Plastic State of Mind (commissioned by Green Sangha) has quickly become a viral hit online, giving citizens all over the world a creative tool to pressure policymakers into banning ultra-light plastic bags. It’s also being used as an opportunity to teach family, friends and students in a way that’s been more effective than most basic fact sheets. The power of music and comedy (and a heck of a of social media boost) can go a long way...

THE WILD MISSION

WILD seeks to inspire appreciation for the planet and concern for its protection, as well as to be a catalyst for action in critical environmental issues.

WILD FILM FESTIVAL 2012

N

ew York WILD Film Festival will officially be launched next April 12-15 with a special program of public events. A gala opening night will be followed by three days of screenings, featuring 15-20 films, filmmaker Q&A, celebrated speakers and hosts. Themed panels designed to further the exchange of ideas and advocacy will include distinguished filmmakers and leaders from the environmental, scientific and conservation fields.We are exploring potential themes for 2012 now, which could include such issues as: (1) the challenges and resolutions for overpopulation, (2) ocean conservation, or (3) sustainable energy. The goal of WILD 2012 will be to engage a wider audience and create an environment that fosters passion and action on behalf of our natural world.

We welcome your ideas and involvement!

Photography credits George Steinmetz

PARTNERS AND CONTRIBUTORS

greenmediasolutions

New York WILD Film Festival is a project of the Open Space Institute, Inc., a non-profit public charity exempt from federal income tax under sections 501 Š (3) and (509)(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Magnus Ahlquist Crispin Baynes Sam Bowman Constance Bruce

Jane Cafritz Alicia Cohen Melanie Englese Geneva Management

Gabrielle Muir Brooke Peterson Amy Pollard Sandy Sidey

Sustainable strategies have been utilized in the production of this film preview event to reduce its carbon emissions and environmental impacts. - Green Media Solutions

WILD THANKS

OUR GREEN VENDORS Organic catering by Manducatis Rustica Eco Select popcorn bags by Packaging Concepts, Inc. BioBags by buygreen.com Reusable gift bags by World Wildlife Fund