NatureTrack VIRTUAL Film Festival e-Program

B E C A U S E N AT U R E W I L L

BLOW YOUR

MIND VIRTUALLY Exhilarating Adventures

Igniting passion for nature through film

OCTOBER 9-18, 2020

P U R C H A S E PA S S E S & T I C K E T S H E R E

ntff2020.eventive.org

Compelling Stories Astounding Documentaries

contents ORGANIZATION 5

welcome

5

who we are

7

enjoy the festival

FILMS 9

film categories

10 film descriptions

GRATITUDE 50 award artists 51 sponsors 52 acknowledgments

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naturetrackfilmfestival.org #NTFF2020 to share your pictures during the NatureTrack Film Festival 3

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Proud partner of the NatureTrack Film Festival

welcome Welcome to the 3rd NatureTrack Film Festival (NTFF), but our first in a virtual format. Like you we have had to make a lot of adjustments since that second week in March when COVID restrictions upended all of our lives. But our highest priority remained unchanged - making sure our filmmakers and audience alike get the film festival you all deserve.

If you are a returning NTFF attendee, we know you’ll miss strolling from venue to venue in charming Los Olivos as much as we will. But whether you are “visiting” us for the first time or third, we hope the NatureTrack Film Festival introduces you to wild places, amazing animals and conservation causes you may not be familiar with. It is our goal to bring exhilarating adventure and compelling narratives to your screen for your enjoyment and reflection.

Your patronage of the NatureTrack Film Festival directly supports the life-changing work of the NatureTrack Foundation, which is dedicated to taking K-12 school children into our spectacular “outdoor classrooms” on fully funded curriculum-aligned field trips. Thank you for contributing to the enduring success of this “wildly” popular program which serves all of Santa Barbara County.

We are honored and grateful that you’ve decided to spend a few hours, or more, enjoying some of the astounding films we’ve collected from around the world. As you watch our featured selections, please take a moment or two to notice our generous sponsors who make this film festival possible, and who have stood by us as we made the challenging transition to this online platform.

This year we have a bonanza of nature cinema in store for you. More than 60 films from around the world will be available for you to screen over the 10 days! We hope you are entertained, educated and enthralled with what you see and learn during the virtual NTFF. Look for the NatureTrack Film Festival on tour in 2021 and back live in Los Olivos in 2022.

Happy viewing!

KC MurphyThompson

Sue Eisaguirre

Holly Cline Holly Cline

KC Murphy Thompson

Founder/Executive Director

Co-Director

Co-Director

Sue Eisaguirre

who we are At NatureTrack our mission is to encourage students to embrace our natural world with respect and wonder, inspiring them to be stewards of our natural resources; and prepare school-aged students with the attitudes, leadership skills and habits for lifelong learning.

The NatureTrack Film Festival expands upon our core mission by “igniting passion for nature through film” by inviting filmmakers from around the world to share their adventures, stories, and documentaries with NTFF audiences.

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enjoy the naturetrack film festival BUYING PASSES & TICKETS

This year's NTFF films will be available to stream through Eventive. When purchasing a Pass or Ticket, you will need to create an account. Once you have logged in to your account, click on "Preorder Now" or "Unlock Now". Your pass benefits will be automatically applied. If you do not see the benefits of your pass reflected, confirm that you are logged in under the correct email address.

HOW DO I FIND MY MOVIE?

If you've already unlocked the movie, visit your Content Library and you should see the film there.

You will need to log in first. Pass holders can view from the catalog.

If you're on another device, you can also check your email inbox or the order confirmation email and click the "watch now" button.

Or visit your festival or cinema page and click on the original listing for the movie. If you've already ordered a ticket with your logged in account, you will have the option to "watch now" from the virtual screening page.

HOW LONG CAN I WATCH THE MOVIE?

When you unlock the movie, you will see an indication of how long you have to start watching below the “watch now” button on the film page. After you've started watching the movie, the indication will change to show you how much time is left to finish.

WHAT ARE THE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS?

You can watch content on PCs running Windows 7+, and Intel-based Macs running macOS 10.12+. You can also watch films on Android tablets and phones using Chrome, and on iPhones and iPads using Safari.

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We do not share personal information with any third parties without your explicit consent. All personal information is subject to the Eventive Privacy Policy.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE FILM!

Use the star scale to rate the films you watch! The film with the highest rating wins the Audience Favorite Award! (Films with an * are entered out of competition.)

NEED MORE INFORMATION? Browse Eventive's FAQ

Requirements for Windows/Macs • Can I watch on my hand held device How do I play movies on my tv • Troubleshooting movies that aren't playing and more!

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* Check out our taproom * 6860 Cortona Dr. Building C Goleta, CA 93117

film categories ADVENTURE Few things are more exhilarating or rewarding than an outdoor experience that opens our eyes and our hearts to the natural world we live in. These filmmakers literally went a step further to film places, animals, and activities in their quest to share the wonders of the world with us.

ANIMATION Many of our first childhood memories and impressions of nature on film were created through the indelible art form of animation. Whether it was Bambi in the forest or SpongeBob underwater, animation always delivers a colorful take on life and the natural world around us.

BIOGRAPHY People do and experience the most “unreal” things, and true stories often make the best stories.

Few books or movies are as compelling as the real-life adventures of people who attempt, pursue, and accomplish the unthinkable, insane, and impossible. We can all thank a filmmaker for following these amazing people around!

CONSERVATION We know this planet is our one and only natural home and environment; all of us want to keep it healthy and hospitable for all life forms. Films submitted in this category focus on ecological conservation efforts and the creative ways humans honor and care for Earth’s precious resources and inhabitants.

KIDS CONNECTING WITH NATURE If you’ve ever watched a kid running around outside you know children joyfully interact with our natural world, taking delight in the simplest things. Films submitted in this category highlight how kids express wonder and joy connecting with nature - learning through exploration and discovery.

OUTDOORS & OUT OF BOUNDS Why? That seems to be the question on everyone’s lips when we watch intrepid athleteadventurers risk it all to reach impossible heights in life-threatening conditions. Films submitted in this category focus on extreme outdoor activities and interaction with the natural environment and attempt to answer the question, “Why?”

SCENIC Nature, in all its subtle and majestic glory, constantly stuns our senses. Any outdoor experience brings a rush of sights, sounds, and smells in a natural world that has the power to literally stop us in our tracks. And when we stop to fully appreciate our planet’s scenic beauty, we deepen our connection to the only precious home we know.

STUDENT Films submitted in this category were produced while the filmmaker was a student. These thoughtful films focus on nature and the environment, bringing a fresh perspective to the way we interact with and care for our local and global environmental communities.

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Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #1

8000+* France, 2018, 21 minutes DIRECTOR: ANTOINE GIRARD

More than just a filmmaker, Antoine Girard is a paraglider, rock climber and high-altitude mountaineer. In 2016, he spent a month in Pakistan, flying a remote, challenging and groundbreaking 1,250-kilometer solo route through the Karakoram with his gear. Flying solo, he soared through this stunning mountain range and reached 8,157 meters of altitude to view 8,051-meter Broad Peak from above — proving that flying in extremely thin air is indeed possible. In the process, he set a world record.

OUTDOORS & OUT OF BOUNDS

INSERT [JOHN MUIR QUOTE] HERE BACKPACKING THE GRAND CANYON OF THE TWOLUMNE* United States, 2020, 19 minutes DIRECTOR: CHRISTOPHER R. ABBEY

See nature at it's finest in this video diary of a journey shared with friends. The cinematography will leave you in awe and inspired to get out on the trail! This film was created while following Leave No Trace practices. The outdoors are facing serious threats. Ensuring people practice Leave No Trace is essential was an important message Chris want to tell and does so in this amazing film..

ADVENTURE

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #2

ESCAPE United States, 2019, 4 minutes DIRECTOR: YELIZ MOTRO

This animated film reminds us how connected to nature children naturally are, as a determined little girl escapes into the wilderness.

In Escape, student-director Motro pairs her unique animation style with sweet music and simple sound effects to evoke the wonder, fear, excitement and joy a little girl experiences on her outdoor exploration. Searching for adventure and serenity in the forest, her journey ends only when she is wild enough to become a part of it all.

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* Films playing outside of competition.

STUDENT

Block #2 cont.

THINGS WERE BETTER BEFORE Italy, 2018, 6 minutes DIRECTOR: LU PULICI

Director Lu Pucili has created an animated film that is both striking in its design and poignant in its message. Addressing the plight of our oceans, this film was conceived to be a “wake-up machine” to encourage green and sustainable thinking. It was produced entirely with found or recycled materials so keep an eye out for recyclables doubling as props in this very inventive animated short.

ANIMATION

ICEOLATION Antarctica, 2019, 28 minutes DIRECTORS: SOPHIE BALLAGH & EWAN BLYTH

Two people, two weeks, two kayaks. Directors Ballagh and Blyth have an insatiable appetite for exploration and bring us along with them on a self-supported sea kayak journey as they connect with an uninhabited land of ice and penguins. They succeed in making us feel as if we are the third kayak on this astounding adventure, where extraordinary scenes of whales feeding near the kayakers take our breath away.

ADVENTURE

RIOS PATAGONICOS France, 2018, 23 minutes DIRECTOR: MARIE LECLÈRE AND BRUNO FROMENTO

The association Regard sur L’Aventure organizes scientific explorations and sport expeditions. In 2018, the Rios Patagonicos expedition invited 15 canyoneers to stride the immensity of Chilean Patagonia, in search of rivers and waterfalls. Their goal: explore untouched territories and spot and open 30 canyons in a unique landscape where canyoneering discipline is close to non-existent. From beginners to skilled canyoneers, all gather around the desire to share a human and athletic adventure on an unforgettable trip.

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OUTDOORS & OUT OF BOUNDS

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #3

THE WILD HEART OF SPAIN Spain, 2019, 55 minutes DIRECTOR: NACHO RUIZ RIZALDOS

The Iberian Peninsula has the greatest concentrated biodiversity in Europe and is home to an extraordinary animal population. From peaks of rock and ice to ancient millenary forests, pure rivers, and sweeping plains, this is the land where Europe and Africa meet. From ibex fighting atop rocks to the endangered Iberian lynx roaming thick forests to the last Spanish brown bears and bizarre scrubland chameleons, this film tells the stories of the creatures who fight to survive in the wild heart of Spain.

SCENIC

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #4

QUEEN WITHOUT LAND Norway, 2018, 70 minutes DIRECTOR: ASGEIR HELGESTAD

This is a true story of the meeting between Frost, a polar bear mother, and the filmmaker. Rising temperatures are responsible for dramatic changes in Frost’s eco-system as the ice melts at record speed. From complete darkness to the light of the midnight sun, her habitat transforms from inhospitable to thriving, filled with ice algae, fish, birds and animals. But the disappearing ice forces Frost away and Helgestad is determined to find her while documenting all that is being lost. * Films playing outside of competition.

ADVENTURE

AFTER WATCHING ON EVENTIVE....

RATE YOUR FAVORITE FILMS FOR AUDIENCE FAVORITE! BE AUTOMATICALLY ENTERED TO WIN (2) 2021 ALL-ACCESS PASSES! * Films playing outside of competition.

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Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #5

WILD HOPE United States, 2018, 35 minutes DIRECTOR: DAVE DEVINE & SUEZ JACOBSON

Flickering points of light spilling out of the sky’s black bowl.

The barely audible skitter of insects in the shadows of towering sandstone cliffs. The wonder of a delicate spider web. Wild Hope tells the story of our deep spiritual connection to the natural world, a connection that has the power to rewire our brains, take us back to our deepest roots, and change how we think and act in a world that needs our care.

CONSERVATION

THE HART United Kingdom, 2019, 10 minutes DIRECTOR: HENRY LIN

The Hart is a wildlife story that unfolds in the heart of London as an old red deer stag struggles to prevent his younger rivals from mating with his Kingdom’s hinds. In addition to fending off the bachelor herds, the old hart must also work around the growing presence of Londoners within Richmond Park. The sight of Londoners jogging past groups of rutting bucks plays like a scene straight out of Monty Python. Student-director Lin also holds a master’s degree in zoology.

STUDENT

raffle: only 100 $50 tickets will be sold PURCHASE TICKETS AT NATURETRACKFILMFESTIVAL.ORG

Drawing will take place Sunday, October 18. California residency required to participate in raffle.

1st Ticket Drawn Wins a Montana Canvas Glamping Tent!

12' x 14' luxury tent. (value $3,130).

Note: fly with 5' extension and wood base are not included in raffle package.

2nd Ticket Drawn

WIN A 2022 NTFF All-Access Pass and a Zpack Nero 38L Backpack chock-full of coveted VIP swag bag treats!

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3rd Ticket Drawn

WIN A 2022 NTFF All-Access Pass and an REI Rusack, camping chair, and blanket!

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #6

BIRTH OF A PRIDE South Africa, 2019, 44 minutes DIRECTOR: WILDLIFE FILMS, DERECK JOUBERT & BEVERLY JOUBERT

In Selinda, Botswana, lions had been hunted to near extinction; two lonely lionesses wandered around calling into a void.

Conservation efforts led by the Great Plains Conservancy in 2006 were followed by Botswana’s ban on all hunting in 2014.

Within a short time two male lions swam across the river from Namibia in search of young females. The number of lions there has now grown to over sixty. Director Joubert uses sophisticated thermal cameras to document this survival story.

CONSERVATION

FLIR AND WORLD WILDLIFE FUND TARGET ILLEGAL POACHING* United States, 2016, 2 minutes PRODUCER: FLIR

In past years, NTFF has selected films about poaching that also use thermal camera technology. This year, as a companion piece to the film Birth of a Pride, we wanted to give filmgoers a look at how thermal is deployed in the wild. NTFF sponsor-partner FLIR is working with the World Wildlife Fund’s Wildlife Crime Technology Project to put an end to illegal poaching in Africa by combining infrared technology with cutting-edge software in hopes of tamping down the rampant problem.

CONSERVATION

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #7

LOST KINGS OF BIOKO Germany, 2019, 56 minutes DIRECTOR: OLIVER GOETZL

Director Goetzl returns to the NTFF with this fascinating film about one of the world’s least-known primates, the Drill Monkey.

Off the coast of Central Africa lies the isolated island of Bioko, where Drills play a critical role in the health of a primeval rainforest ecosystem recognized by scientists as a biodiversity hotspot. Lost Kings of Bioko explores the Drills’ secret lives, as we follow a family group and a newborn who discover the mysterious island’s challenges for the first time.

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* Films playing outside of competition.

CONSERVATION

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #8

OUR WORLD OF OCEAN SHARKS/ WYLAND GLASS ART SERIES* United States, 2010, 2 minutes DIRECTOR: EARL RICHMOND

Wyland delivers messages of natural history and conservation concerns like no one else can on shark populations. The inspiration for Wyland Glass Art Series came from a 1950 black-and-white film of Picasso painting on glass, filmed in his Italy studio. The invisible canvas takes on a whole new dimension of art and artist at work. To add to the creative palette, a green screen is used as a backdrop in this modern version of educational art.

CONSERVATION

OCEAN STORIES WITH HOWARD & MICHELE HALL – MAKING UNDERWATER IMAX MOVIES* United States, 2010, 24 minutes DIRECTOR: EARL RICHMOND

Working with a 1,300-pound 3D IMAX camera, the Halls film a broad range of sea creatures around the world as they share their passions, visions, and hopes for our ocean planet. The film features an intimate look into their lives, work, and the dedication that drives these unique filmmakers as we explore the ocean’s realm. It’s a behind-the-scenes journey of discovery into the depths of our ocean planet, with messages on marine education and conservation for generations to come.

CONSERVATION

SELF DISCOVERY FOR SOCIAL SURVIVAL* United States, 2019, 50 minutes DIRECTOR: CHRIS GENTILE

Since the genre’s birth in the 1950s, the surf film has involved a synthesis of imagery and music. Typically, these two ingredients are sourced separately, mixed together after the visual fact. A collaborative film between independent record label Mexican Summer and NYC-based outdoor brand Pilgrim Surf + Supply, Self Discovery for Social Survival subverts this recipe. Just like the osmotic waves that flow through the film, its visuals and music co-exist to reimagine what surf films can look, sound, and feel like.

* Films playing outside of competition.

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SCENIC

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #9

THE HIGH SIERRA TRAIL* United States, 2018, 39 minutes DIRECTOR: CHRIS SMEAD

Director Chris Smead returns with another entertaining account of backpacking the high Sierra, this time with his co-worker John. Together they have some close calls with lightning and climb the highest mountain in the continental U.S. Chris creatively reveals the history of the trail via 3D animations created from historic photos provided by the National Park Service.

ADVENTURE

THE HUMAN Netherlands, 2019, 10 minutes DIRECTOR: HARKO WUBS

In this clever parody of a classic wildlife documentary we are introduced to that most fascinating of all species - the human.

Using familiar nature film devices such as the traditional British narrator and suspenseful music, this humorous sendup follows our subject as she forages and “hunts” for food.

But director Wubs is also trying to make a more serious point about how we get our daily diet.

ADVENTURE

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #10

BY HAND United States, 2020, 67 minutes DIRECTOR: KELLEN KEENE

Pismo Beach twins Casey and Ryan Higginbotham travel 2,200 miles from Alaska to Mexico on custom-built, 18-foot paddle boards. Determined to escape comfort and reconnect to nature, the brothers power their journey “by hand” — and set a new standard in ocean adventure. On March 18, 2016, the brothers embarked on their epic Pacific quest, each carrying nothing more than two bags of gear and a camera. No support boats. No paddles. Nothing like this had been done before.

(Contains some nudity and profanity.)

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* Films playing outside of competition.

OUTDOORS & OUT OF BOUNDS

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #11

TAMING WILD: PURA VIDA United States, 2018, 66 minutes DIRECTOR: ELSA SINCLAIR

Gathering knowledge from a variety of equine disciplines, Elsa Sinclair developed a style of being with horses called Freedom Based Training. In 2018 Elsa and her student, Andrea Wady, embarked on an ambitious walk across Costa Rica with two rescue horses, cultivating a relationship with them. As the women and horses traverse mountains, valleys, rivers, and jungle, is this shared journey enough to build trust between horse and human as they make their way across Costa Rica?

ADVENTURE

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #12

BETTER TOGETHER United States, 2019, 50 minutes DIRECTOR: ISAAC HERNĂ NDEZ

The 1969 Union Oil blowout mobilized the Santa Barbara community, inspiring the creation of nonprofits, as well as Earth Day, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the first Environmental Studies program at UCSB. The legacy of the oil spill continues to inform and unite this community, as it did again when over 3,000 volunteers worked together as the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade to dig out homes buried in the mud of the deadly 2018 debris flow.

CONSERVATION

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #13

10 MILES OUT United States, 2019, 15 minutes DIRECTOR: PRESTON MAAG

In 10 Miles Out, student-director Maag creates an immersive journey into the captivating world of backpacking. This uplifting documentary is based on a belief that a deeper understanding of and connection to the natural world enriches all lives. The film follows the adventures of backpackers of various skill levels as they navigate through the Los Padres National Forest, which spans from Ventura to Monterey Counties. Bonded by love of nature, they discover that the journey can be more rewarding than reaching the destination.

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STUDENT

Block #13 cont.

OUT THERE – CYPRESS PROVINCIAL PARK United States, 2019, 3 minutes DIRECTOR: CHRISTOPHER R. ABBEY

A descendant of the late author/environmentalist Edward Abbey, filmmaker Christopher R. Abbey leaves a busy Vancouver weekend and heads for the hills in this ode to the joy of getting out the door and getting “out there.” After driving through Stanley Park towards the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Abbey realizes Vancouver’s outskirts are as packed as its urban core. So he heads for Cypress Provincial Park and starts on the trail to Bowen Lookout. The scenic 3-mile hike is just what he needs.

SCENIC

THE MIDDLE WAY South Africa, 2018, 18 minutes DIRECTOR: DEAN LESLIE

Black Diamond endurance athlete Joe Grant sets out from his doorstep in Gold Hill, Colorado on an ambitious solo journey to summit all 54 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot mountains. By bike and on foot, Joe covers 1,100 miles of riding, 400 miles of running and 100,000 feet of climbing. The Middle Way is an intimate look at Grant’s “Tour de 14er” project. As he explained, “The camera ended up becoming this interesting way to externalize what I was thinking.” (Contains some profanity.)

OUTDOORS & OUT OF BOUNDS

ONE. LONG. DAY. United States, 2019, 3 minutes DIRECTOR: ROBERT JAHRIG

This short film highlights the people brave enough to sign up for one extremely long day of running in some of Montana’s most rugged mountains. “The Rut” is a race that captures Montana and the northwestern United States’ mountain-running scene.

Born and raised in the Rocky Mountains of western Montana, Jahrig has participated in or filmed at “The Rut” for the last six years, and this film is the poetic culmination of all the inspiration and energy he’s invested in it.

OUTDOORS & OUT OF BOUNDS

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Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #14

(RE)CONNECTING WILD United States, 2019, 12 minutes DIRECTOR: JAKE WILLERS

Anyone who has had a close call with a deer darting across the road in front of their car will appreciate the remarkable story of (Re)Connecting Wild. A decade-long effort by several Nevada state agencies to improve human and animal safety results in re-connecting a historic mule deer migration that crosses major highways in Elko County, Nevada. Witness the wildlife crossing structures along I-80 from construction to the restoration of safe passage for migratory mule deer to more than 1.5 million acres of habitat.

CONSERVATION

POACHERS AND PROTECTORS: THE STORY OF SCARLET MACAWS IN HONDURAS United States, 2018, 8 minutes DIRECTOR: CHRISTI LOWE

In the dangerous La Moskitia region of Honduras, poachers seek out the chicks and eggs of wild scarlet macaws. Their goal: sell them in the lucrative illegal pet trade. To counter the traffickers, brave community members have united to patrol and protect the nests, recognizing that in some ways, their own fates are tied to those of the birds. This film puts a spotlight on Latin America’s wildlife trafficking crisis and introduces us to some of the heroes who are willing to risk it all for these iconic birds.

CONSERVATION

INSIDE THE FENCE Australia, 2019, 29 minutes DIRECTOR: DANIEL CLARKE & AMY PYSDEN

Australia’s self-proclaimed maverick of the conservation movement, Dr. John Wamsley, built the nation’s first predatorproof fence, establishing a unique eco-system known as the Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary, notoriously built without government approval, became one of Australia’s top tourist destinations in the 1980s and 90s. Through revealing interviews and stunning archival photography, Inside the Fence reveals the remarkable legacy of Wamsley’s mission.

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BIOGRAPHY

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #15

WILD TODDLER CHRONICLES: LEGACY United States, 2019, 11 minutes DIRECTOR: BRIAN LEWIS

The Lewis family returns with a “wild” sequel to their 2019 NTFF selection. Wild Toddler Chronicles is a three-chapter short film series documenting the Lewises’ quest to introduce their daughter to the beauty and healing power of the outdoors.

Chapter 2, Wild Toddler Chronicles: Legacy looks at the massive preparation involved in launching a cold-weather toddler adventure. Armed with an endless supply of fruit snacks, underwear, and old photographs, the couple retraces the route of a previous adventure to Utah.

KIDS CONNECTING

GUIDANCE United States, 2019, 3 minutes DIRECTOR: JOHN M. MASTRIANO

In 1989, director Mastriano’s 31-year-old father lost his battle with cancer. John was too young to remember him well, but grew up surrounded by many people who knew his father and enjoyed telling stories about him. Fathers can guide us through life in all sorts of subtle and powerful ways, even when they are no longer with us.

KIDS CONNECTING

MY FRIENDS WERE MOUNTAINEERS* United States, 2019, 15 minutes DIRECTOR: ERIC BECKER

American alpinist, artist and painter Dee Molenar worked as a mountain guide and park ranger in Mount Rainier National Park and participated in expeditions around the world, including the American expedition to K2 in 1953 and the first ascent of Mt. Kennedy with Jim Whittaker and Robert Kennedy. As Dee turns 100, he looks back on his astounding adventures and legacy with the help of his family and film footage long stored away in boxes.

BIOGRAPHY

YOUNG HUNTERS Netherlands, 2018, 17 minutes DIRECTOR: IRIS GROB

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Society’s relationship to nature is an important theme in Grob’s films. Here, she trains her camera on Thies (9) and Jorn (11), growing up in a traditional hunter family. It’s common for the brothers to eat their meat from nature. While many consider it cruel to shoot an animal, the brothers find this strange as meat from the market is also dead. Thies and Jorn become aware of the taboo around hunting. How will friends respond to their lifestyle? * Films playing outside of competition.

KIDS CONNECTING

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #16

ROOTED IN ARIZONA United States, 2018, 4 minutes DIRECTOR: CHRISTIAN ELY

This ode to Arizona is told through the reverent and resonant memories of Dan Deublein, an Arizona native, who returns to the White Mountains where he grew up. Through fly fishing, he finds a deeper connection with nature and recognizes the need to protect it. The film offers Dan’s testimonial to how being out in nature “recalibrates our souls” while the film takes a leisurely pace and presents gorgeous visuals of our geographically diverse neighbor state.

CONSERVATION

VICTORY SWIM United States, 2018, 56 minutes DIRECTOR: MATT YAMASHITA

When his aunt Susan Scarlett was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, endurance athlete Adam Ellenstein challenged himself to swim the 65 miles of Vancouver’s Lake Okanagan — with the goal of raising funds and awareness for the debilitating disease. The film tracks Adam as he trains for the grueling, record-setting event and Susan as she prepares to swim part of it with him.

Victory Swim is a story of love, perseverance, and positivity, which Adam and Susan both embrace as they confront their respective challenges.

OUTDOORS & OUT OF BOUNDS

We believe that we're meant to make the world a better place.

Tito’s Handmade Vodka is proud to sponsor the NatureTrack Film Festival.

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Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #17

83° SKI THE NORTH Austria, 2019, 54 minutes DIRECTOR: MATTHIAS MAYR

Matthias Mayr brings another adrenaline-pounding film to the NTFF. Seeking to find and ski the planet’s northernmost peaks, adventurers Mayr and Hauni Haunholder are again successful in their quest to shred ridiculously remote slopes. Less than 800 kilometers from the North Pole is Ellesmere Island’s Arctic Cordillera, the world’s northernmost mountain range. The pair trek to ski the Cordillera, but getting there is the real adventure.

Ellesmere is home to polar bears, arctic wolves, and Inuit people who support the two skier-mountaineers.

OUTDOORS & OUT OF BOUNDS

THE HUMAN Netherlands, 2019, 10 minutes DIRECTOR: HARKO WUBS

In this clever parody of a classic wildlife documentary we are introduced to that most fascinating of all species - the human.

Using familiar nature film devices such as the traditional British narrator and suspenseful music, this humorous sendup follows our subject as she forages and “hunts” for food.

But director Wubs is also trying to make a more serious point about how we get our daily diet.

ADVENTURE

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #19

THE BEAVER BELIEVERS United States, 2018, 60 minutes DIRECTOR: SARAH KOENIGSBERG

This whimsical film tells the story of an unlikely cadre of activists who share a common goal: restoring the North American Beaver, that industrious, ingenious, furry little bucktoothed engineer, to the watersheds of the American West. As a keystone species, beavers enrich their ecosystems, creating the biodiversity, complexity, and resiliency our watersheds need to absorb the impacts of climate change.

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CONSERVATION

Unlocked Saturday Oct 10th 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Block #18 ONE BREATH AROUND THE WORLD France, 2019, 13 minutes DIRECTOR: GUILLAUME NÉRY

World-record holding free diver Néry, together with his cinematographer wife Julie Gautier, captures mesmerizing images of primarily unseen parts of the planet — with a perfect combination of aesthetics, performance, filmmaking, and exploration. Moving breathlessly around the world on their underwater odyssey from Mauritius to Mexico, Japan and many stops in between, the couple drew on their extensive experience to explore submerged ruins, swim beneath a thick sheet of ice, and mingle with a pod of sleeping sperm whales.

OUTDOORS & OUT OF BOUNDS

WALKING THE CAMINO: SIX WAYS TO SANTIAGO Spain, 2013, 58 minutes DIRECTOR: LYDIA B. SMITH

An up-close look at the spiritual pilgrimage known as the Camino de Santiago, or Way of St. James. Since the 9th century, millions have embarked on this path across northern Spain. There are many routes to Santiago de Compostela and this film focuses on the one which begins in St. Jean Pied de Port, France. Follow the journeys of six modern-day pilgrims as they cope with blisters, exhaustion, loneliness and see each one experience triumph over their doubts and fears.

ADVENTURE

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #20

EVERYDAY CYCLISTS: CHALLENGING PREJUDICE India, 2019, 5 minutes DIRECTOR: BIDIT ROY

This is the story of Devendra Yadav, an IT professional in Pune, India, who took up the challenge of commuting to his job on a bicycle despite the unfriendly roads and unpredictable terrain. With rapid expansion of the city, and the booming IT and industrial hubs, the air quality of Pune is fast deteriorating. It can feel overwhelming to work on the solution. But Devendra Yadav has committed to “becoming a part of the solution and not the pollution.”

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BIOGRAPHY

Block #20 cont.

STREET SURFERS South Africa, 2019, 9 minutes DIRECTOR: ARTHUR NEUMEIER

Frank Solomon, a big wave surfer and marine activist from Cape Town, South Africa, travels to Johannesburg to meet two exceptional men, Thabo and Mokete, who indirectly serve the environment through “street surfing” for recyclables as a means of income. This is a story of new friendships, shared experiences, and common interest between individuals who are worlds apart. For anyone who has cruised the streets of Johannesburg, the sight of the city’s “street surfers” is as much a part of the landscape as its metropolitan skyline.

CONSERVATION

KOKOLY United Kingdom, 2019, 15 minutes DIRECTOR: BLUE VENTURES, GARTH CRIPPS & PAUL ANTION

Traditional Vezo fisherwoman, Madame Kokoly, reflects on her life experiences and carries out her daily routine in and around the coastal waters of southwest Madagascar. This film is a powerful exploration of how one woman is navigating her daily life against a backdrop of deprivation and the loss of marine biodiversity. Kokoly is an unforgettable first-person account of localized climate impact on the life of an incredibly self-sufficient and resourceful woman.

BIOGRAPHY

THE KODIAK QUEEN United Kingdom, 2018, 17 minutes DIRECTOR: ROB SORRENTI

The transformation of a decorated WWII warship, that survived Pearl Harbor, into an artificial reef and dive site in the British Virgin Islands, is a project meant to inspire a generation of ocean lovers. But it is also about something much bigger. In 2017, Hurricane Irma released its ferocious power across the Caribbean, leaving behind a trail of destruction for both man and nature. Academy Award-winner Kate Winslet, and awardwinning filmmaker Rob Sorrenti remind us of the momentous task ahead in restoring the British Virgin Islands.

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CONSERVATION

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #21

THE BEE RESCUER India, 2019, 7 minutes DIRECTOR: BIDIT ROY

Amit Godse, popularly known as the “Bee Man”, has been relentlessly saving honeybees in urban India since 2013.

He is the founder of “Bee Basket”, which trains tribal honey gatherers in beekeeping while promoting urban beekeeping and raw honey distribution. Amongst all the insect pollinators, honeybees are still the world’s most important pollinator of food crops and their contribution to our global diet and economy cannot be overstated.

BIOGRAPHY

SALIEGA’S LINEAGE, THE RETURN OF THE IBERIAN LYNX Spain, 2019, 48 minutes DIRECTOR: JAVIER ORTEGA MARTINEZ

The Iberian Lynx is the most threatened feline on the planet: in 2000, there were scarcely 150 of this unique animal left in the wilds of the Iberian Peninsula, the only place where it is found.

Then Saliega arrived. This female was the first to carry out a litter of Iberian Lynx in captivity. With her, an ambitious project was launched to recover the species. Not only is the project producing new litters, but it is also reintroducing young lynxes back into the mediterranean forest. Saliega’s children are returning home.

CONSERVATION

FERRET TOWN United States, 2018, 10 minutes DIRECTOR: VIRGINIA MOORE

The black-footed ferret was thought to be extinct when a small population was discovered in a remote corner of Wyoming in 1981, setting off an urgent race to recover the species from only 18 animals. This film follows the ongoing efforts of many dedicated individuals to return the charismatic predator, both cute and ferocious, to its native ecosystem. Ferret Town presents one of the best conservation stories in the United States, posing the question, how far will we go to save one species?

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CONSERVATION

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #22

KOKOLY United Kingdom, 2019, 15 minutes DIRECTOR: BLUE VENTURES, GARTH CRIPPS & PAUL ANTION

Traditional Vezo fisherwoman, Madame Kokoly, reflects on her life experiences and carries out her daily routine in and around the coastal waters of southwest Madagascar. This film is a powerful exploration of how one woman is navigating her daily life against a backdrop of deprivation and the loss of marine biodiversity. Kokoly is an unforgettable first-person account of localized climate impact on the life of an incredibly self-sufficient and resourceful woman.

BIOGRAPHY

SPINNAKER United States, 2019, 14 minutes DIRECTOR: NADINE LICOSTIE

Spinnaker is a touching story about the film’s namesake whale, who marine biologists tracked from her birth to her death and across three entanglement events that impacted her life. Her story represents the challenges that many marine animals face after years of pollution and degradation threaten to collapse the once-thought-to-be indestructible ocean systems. It is impossible to watch Spinnaker without being filled with empathy for the plight of threatened marine creatures and pride for the dedicated teams who strive to ameliorate this critical threat.

CONSERVATION

THE FINAL BREACH United Kingdom, 2018, 17 minutes DIRECTOR: JESS WEBSTER

The inland waters of the Pacific Northwest play host to some of the world’s most spectacular wildlife, including the killer whale. But this is no paradise for the ocean’s top predator, and below the surface a disturbing scene is unfolding. Following a series of tragic deaths, the area’s resident killer whales have been missing. Determined to find them, local whale watch enthusiasts Gary Sutton and Tasli Shaw take to the seas in a story that surrounds a community of Orcas in crisis.

STUDENT

WATERS OF MARCH Canada, 2019, 4 minutes DIRECTOR: ELIZABETH LEWIS

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Director Elizabeth Lewis lives in the woods beside a river and each image in her intensely personal film is taken from direct experience.

The delicately rendered animated drawings move at a rollicking pace, transitioning from real to abstract while telling an ever-evolving story of loss and hope. The film is a tribute to the journey Lewis’s late brother took in his last year and is a memorable experience of beauty and hope, interpreted with a sense of wonder.

ANIMATION

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #23

LITERACY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: CULTIVATING YOUTH LEADERS IN SOUTHEAST SAN FRANCISCO United States, 2019, 8 minutes DIRECTOR: KRISTIN TIECHE

Bayview-Hunters Point in Southeast San Francisco has been on the frontlines of the environmental justice movement since the 1940s. This film follows three environmental youth leaders who are changing the world, starting with their urban neighborhood.

The students are well aware of both higher asthma rates in their community and rising global temperatures, and they are motivated to contribute to solutions. Applying global remedies to their neighborhood issues invests these future leaders with the skills to enhance all of our communities.

KIDS CONNECTING

GEORGE & THE WHALES Tonga, 2019, 8 minutes DIRECTOR: NESSIM STEVENSON

George is a Tongan whale-watching guide whose beautiful descriptions of his livelihood convey the joy he experiences every time he is near the humpback whales that spend their summers in the warm waters around the islands of Vava’u. Director Nessim Stevenson’s gorgeously photographed film reflects on the contentment and tranquility that a connection with the ocean, and some of its largest inhabitants can bring, as many of us here on the central coast can attest.

CONSERVATION

LAMMERGEIER, THE WIND’S BEARDS Spain, 2019, 9 minutes DIRECTOR: MANU MATEO LAJARÍN

The king of the Pyrenees skies, the 10-foot-wingspanned Lammergeier vulture is the subject of this soaring short film.

Music is the only accompaniment to the jaw-dropping close-ups Lajarín captures of these massive raptors. The only bird species that specializes in feeding on bone and marrow, the powerful, endangered and “bearded” vulture cracks bones too large to swallow by carrying them to nearly 500 feet above the ground and smashing them onto the rocks below. This film provides a rare glimpse into its world.

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SCENIC

Block #23 cont.

VISIONS OF THE LOST SIERRA United States, 2018, 14 minutes DIRECTOR: MATT RITENOUR

Visions of the Lost Sierra is a truly heartfelt account of the Middle Fork of the Feather River, one of the few remaining wild rivers in California and one of the first eight rivers designated as Wild & Scenic in 1968. By weaving together personal stories from those who are deeply connected to the river, the film inspires a sense of protection for wilderness and a desire to experience such places. Archival footage is used to great effect and makes this film even more impactful.

CONSERVATION

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #24

A WALK THROUGH THE LAND OF A THOUSAND HILLS Rwanda, 2019, 11 minutes DIRECTOR: CHEMA DOMENECH

Narrated by Nyungwe National Park ranger and educator Claver Ntoykima, this student film relates the history of poaching and habitat loss suffered over the last decades — as well as recent efforts to restore the forest. With 300 bird species, 1,000 plant species, and dozens of large and small mammals, Nyungwe is one of the world’s most biodiverse places. And after the devastation of the Rwandan Civil War, the park is now one of Central Africa’s bestconserved rainforests.

STUDENT

BAYANDALAI - LORD OF THE TIOGA Spain, 2018, 11 minutes DIRECTOR: ETXEBARRIA MORAL AND PABLO VIDAL SANTOS

From inside his yurt deep in the heart of the Taiga, Bayandalai, an elder of the Dukhas tribe, muses about the significance of life and death in the largest boreal forest on Earth. He is the last of the great reindeer herders of the Taiga. When directors Moral and Santos went in search of the secrets of the Duka and their ancestral pact with reindeer, they found an almost extinct world, isolated and nearly forgotten.

BIOGRAPHY

TRACES Belgium, 2019, 12 minutes DIRECTOR: SÉBASTIEN PINS

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Over the seasons we follow a logger and his draft horse into the depths of the Ardennes forest, where we observe him living his passion under the gaze of a strange young girl. The man begins to teach the girl about his livelihood and the traditional ways of draft horse logging in this sensitive film about the idea of passing down, and how some encounters can lead to a life’s calling.

Traces’ cinematography and music highlight the emotional symbiosis between man, animal and forest.

KIDS CONNECTING

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #25

CONSERVATION CHALLENGE: SAVING PAPUA’S LEATHERBACK TURTLES United States, 2019, 6 minutes DIRECTOR: JOHN K. DUTTON

Director John Dutton returns to the NTFF with a film about research and conservation efforts to save the critically endangered Pacific leatherback sea turtle. On the remote beaches of Papua, Indonesia, Dr. Manjula Tiwari guides us through her research and the challenges communities face as they work to preserve 24 kilometers of remote CONSERVATION beaches that the Pacific leatherbacks rely on for survival.

THE WILD HEART OF SPAIN Spain, 2019, 55 minutes DIRECTOR: NACHO RUIZ RIZALDOS

The Iberian Peninsula has the greatest concentrated biodiversity in Europe and is home to an extraordinary animal population. From peaks of rock and ice to ancient millenary forests, pure rivers, and sweeping plains, this is the land where Europe and Africa meet. From ibex fighting atop rocks to the endangered Iberian lynx roaming thick forests to the last Spanish brown bears and bizarre scrubland chameleons, this film tells the stories of the creatures who fight to survive in the wild heart of Spain.

SCENIC

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #26

FANTASTIC FUNGI* United States, 2019, 74 minutes DIRECTOR: LOUIE SCHWARTZBERG

Take a magical time-lapse journey into the mysterious and medicinal world of fungi and their power to heal, sustain and contribute to the regeneration of life on Earth. Fungi are not just decomposers, but composers continually producing the ingredients of new life and sustaining our ecosystem.

Expanding fungi-generated soils around the world could absorb vast amounts of carbon dioxide and help control climate change. These organisms are fantastic allies in our efforts to rejuvenate our entire ecosphere.

CONSERVATION * Films playing outside of competition.

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Unlocked Saturday Oct 10th 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm

Block #27 AMRITA India, 2019, 6 minutes DIRECTOR: SWATI AGARWAL

This animated allegorical film portrays a community’s deep-rooted concern for its natural resources and serves as a stirring reminder of the importance of preserving our environment for future generations. It is likely that the event portrayed in the film resulted in the famous Chipko Andolan movement, a nonviolent forest conservation effort started by rural villagers, mostly women, in India in the 1970s. (This film contains some sensitive images.)

ANIMATION

WALKING THE CAMINO: SIX WAYS TO SANTIAGO Spain, 2013, 58 minutes DIRECTOR: LYDIA B. SMITH

An up-close look at the spiritual pilgrimage known as the Camino de Santiago, or Way of St. James. Since the 9th century, millions have embarked on this path across northern Spain. There are many routes to Santiago de Compostela and this film focuses on the one which begins in St. Jean Pied de Port, France. Follow the journeys of six modern-day pilgrims as they cope with blisters, exhaustion, loneliness and see each one experience triumph over their doubts and fears.

ADVENTURE

AFTER WATCHING ON EVENTIVE....

RATE YOUR FAVORITE FILMS FOR AUDIENCE FAVORITE! BE AUTOMATICALLY ENTERED TO WIN (2) 2021 ALL-ACCESS PASSES! * Films playing outside of competition.

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Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #28

GLIMPSES OF ICE Norway, 2018, 8 minutes DIRECTOR: CHRISTIAN UHLIG

Glimpses of Ice is a scenic, sonic, and serene cinematic meditation on the combination of ice, light and time within the spellbinding arctic landscape of northern Norway. In accord with the aphorism, “You can never look at the same ice twice,” the film emphasizes arctic nature as an apparently endless creator of unique virtuosity, which we merely experience in glimpses. Using ambient sound and a perfectly paired music score, this wordless film composed of time-lapsed scenes feels intensely calming and mesmerizing.

SCENIC

YIKÁSDÁHÍ – AWAITS THE DAWN Argentina, 2018, 8 minutes DIRECTOR: GABRIELA CLAR

When the time comes to author the sky chart, the Black God takes his blueprints and a sack filled with stars to set about creating the constellations. But things get complicated when his actions catch the eye of Coyote, a troublemaker who thinks any excuse is good enough to make some mischief. Based on an enduring Navajo legend, this clever telling brings native folklore to life through student-animator Clar’s specialization in cut-out and cell animation without the need for dialogue.

STUDENT

HOME Greenland, 2018, 8 minutes DIRECTOR: INUK JØRGENSEN

A filmmaker’s perspective on coming home after nearly a decade abroad and finding that something is off in his native Greenland.

Home evolved over the course of ten years and is really a composite of several ideas that director Jørgensen had in which the common denominator was a love for his home country. The goal in making this film was to communicate in a compelling way the effects of global warming from the perspective of the people living in Greenland.

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BIOGRAPHY

Block #28 cont.

COLORS OF LONGYEARBYEN Germany, 2019, 23 minutes DIRECTOR: FELINE GERHARDT

This (literally) dark film focuses on Longyearbyen on Svalbard, an archipelago north of the Arctic Circle, between Norway and the North Pole. The world’s northernmost settlement, its 3,000 polar bears and 4,000 snowmobiles outnumber the town’s 2,700 inhabitants — and tourists outnumber residents during “midnight sun” months. Longyearbyen is also among the fastest-warming places. In this land of northern lights, every adult carries a gun to hunt reindeer and guard against polar bears — but nobody has a weapon to stop climate change. (Contains some profanity.)

STUDENT

BALLY PEAK OUTLOOK EVEREST CLEANUP EXPEDITION Switzerland, 2019, 5 minutes DIRECTOR: SAMIR JUNG THAPA

In the spring of 2019 Bally Boots sponsored a critical clean-up expedition on Mount Everest. Led by Dawa Steven Sherpa and his team of experienced climbers, the expedition successfully removed two tons of waste, helping to restore the once pristine landscape between Everest Base Camp and its iconic peak.

While previous clean-ups were limited to areas between Base Camp and Everest’s mid-point at Camp 2, Bally’s expedition reached the summit.

CONSERVATION

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #29

SIX MILE STRETCH United States, 2018, 5 minutes DIRECTOR: CAROL CHAMBERS

If this film appears to be a moving painting, that’s because it mostly is! Six Mile Stretch is an artist’s rendition of the last wild six mile stretch of the Bear River, currently under threat from the planned Centennial Dam. There is a movement in the local community to stop the dam from being built. Chambers’ film is dedicated to this beautiful place and to all who strive to protect the remaining wild places of our world.

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ANIMATION

Block #29 cont.

CARRIZO PLAIN - A SENSE OF PLACE United States, 2019, 32 minutes DIRECTOR: JEFF MCLOUGHLIN

Carrizo Plain – A Sense of Place is a stunning cinematic journey into a remarkable remnant of early California, the Carrizo Plain National Monument, located at the eastern edge of San Luis Obispo County in Central California. Explored through the eyes of artists Chris Chapman, John Iwerks, and Bill Dewey – with decades-long experience between them interpreting the sublime beauty of the Carrizo Plain National Monument – the landscape comes to life in this half-hour documentary that reveals the special character of this wildflower mecca.

SCENIC

Don't Miss the Online Oak Group Show to Benefit NatureTrack The Oak Group Presents "The Link Between Man and Nature" November 1 – December 31, 2020 www.oakgroup.org • www.naturetrack.org

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Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #30

FREE TO DIVE France, 2018, 57 minutes DIRECTOR: JULIEN GRANIER

Sam is aquaphobic and preparing to face a gigantic challenge: to overcome her fear of the water and learn to free dive. She’s joined by three other beginner divers. Will they succeed?

Descending 10 or 15 meters deep when you’re afraid of the water seems impossible. Through these individual portraits, we examine the human relationship with water — and discover that freediving is much more accessible than we imagined.

OUTDOORS & OUT OF BOUNDS

THREE HEARTS HOME* United States, 2019, 8 minutes DIRECTOR: JUSTIN TURKOWSKI

The story of an “ohana” once separated, then reconnected by the sea. Spearfishing champion Kimi Werner and her mother recount their journey to reconnect with Kimi’s long-lost brother, Dr. Randall Kosaki, a chief scientist at NOAA. Just like Kimi, Dr. Kosaki’s connection to the ocean led him to advocate for marine conservation. A heartwarming film about the ties that bind family together, or as Randy put it, “the saltwater in our veins that is such a part of our existence.”

BIOGRAPHY

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #31

THE EARTHING MOVIE: THE REMARKABLE SCIENCE OF GROUNDING United States, 2019, 76 minutes DIRECTOR: JOSH TICKELL & REBECCA TICKELL

“Earthing” or “grounding” examines the scientific phenomenon behind the belief that we can heal our bodies by doing the simplest thing that a person can do, stand barefoot on the earth. A host of recent scientific studies reveal surprising and consistent benefits when the human body is “connected” to the electromagnetic energy of the Earth. For the subjects in this film, “grounding” led to dramatic health benefits. This film may just inspire you to kick off your shoes too!

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BIOGRAPHY * Films playing outside of competition.

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #32

WILD AS A RASPBERRY Portugal, 2018, 3 minutes DIRECTOR: ZAHRA ALEMOHAMMADI

With its whimsical animation style, this film evokes happy childhood memories of berry picking and exploring the wild in search of the little red juicy fruits. Children head out to the woods at the beginning of summer to collect raspberries, and only a few lines and colors are needed to evoke an idyllic environment. This sweet-as-a-berry little film delights in using sound effects, voices and music to show us the simple joys of a berry picking day.

ANIMATION

REALM OF THE ROBBER Germany, 2018, 50 minutes DIRECTORS: MORITZ KATZ AND BRAYDON MOLONEY

Thief by name and nature alike, the robber crab is a giant with powerful claws that can crack coconuts open. On the idyllic Christmas Island, these unruly tyrants hold the title of top predator. While the earth’s largest land invertebrate is the featured player in this wildlife documentary, we encounter other species that have found their niche in the robber’s realm.

Two years in the making, this film was a labor of love for Christmas Island resident Moloney and his co-director, Katz.

SCENIC

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #33

THREATS IN THE NORTHERN SEAS France, 2018, 52 minutes DIRECTOR: JACQUES LOEUILLE

About three billion tons of chemical and conventional warfare munitions lie at the bottom of the North and Baltic seas. These silent witnesses of both World Wars have become a true threat to the environment. How did this happen and is this massive propagation of highly toxic products an avoidable disaster? This chilling film takes us through this dangerous underwater stockpile and defends the cause of our seas’ survival. The risk these deadly bombs pose is unthinkable – what can and must be done?

CONSERVATION

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Block #33 cont.

RIVER RAISIN LEGACY PROJECT United States, 2019, 12 minutes DIRECTOR: BRADLEY M. EGAN

This mini documentary details the extensive remediation, cleanup work, habitat restoration, and recreational enhancements that have taken place in Monroe, Michigan’s River Raisin over the past two decades. This effort to delist it as an Area of Concern, includes removal of dams, installation of fish passages, and reinvigoration of the natural environment. For the first time in over 80 years, a 23-mile stretch of the River Raisin has been restored to its natural beauty and ecology.

CONSERVATION

WATERS OF THE U.S. United States, 2019, 21 minutes DIRECTOR: REMI ESCUDIE

This incredibly beautiful film showcases the rivers, streams, and wetlands of Alabama to illustrate the rollbacks which are currently threatening the Clean Water Act. By doing so, it shows the economic benefits, ecological health, and cultural way of life that hang in the balance and helps us understand the critical significance and importance of the Clean Water Act, something that Alabamans and Americans have taken for granted since it was enacted in 1972.

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CONSERVATION

PASSES & TICKETS ON SALE NOW! B E C A U S E N AT U R E W I L L

BLOW YOUR

MIND Purchase Your All-Access Pass or Tickets Here RAFFLE: only 100 $50 tickets will be sold PURCHASE TICKETS AT NATURETRACKFILMFESTIVAL.ORG Drawing will take place Sunday, October 18.

California residency required to participate in raffle.

1st Ticket Drawn Wins a Montana Canvas Glamping Tent!

12' x 14' luxury tent. (value $3,130).

Note: fly with 5' extension and wood base are not included in raffle package.

2 nd Ticket Drawn

WIN A 2022 NTFF All-Access Pass and a Zpack Nero 38L Backpack chock-full of coveted VIP swag bag treats!

3rd Ticket Drawn 37

WIN A 2022 NTFF All-Access Pass and an REI Rusack, camping chair, and blanket!

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #34

UNBROKEN GROUND* United States, 2016, 26 minutes DIRECTOR: CHRIS MALLOY

Most of our food is produced using methods that reduce biodiversity, decimate soil, and contribute to climate change.

This film shows how our food can and should be a part of the solution to the environmental crisis – grown, harvested and produced in ways that restore our land, water and wildlife.

Unbroken Ground tells the story of four groups that are pioneers in the fields of regenerative agriculture, diversified crop development and restorative fishing.

CONSERVATION

HERD IMPACT* United States, 2018, 23 minutes DIRECTOR: PETER BYCK, PAULA AND JIM CROWN, CARBON NATION

Ranchers Deborah Clark and Emry Birdwell forego toxic fertilizers in favor of managing a grazing herd of over 5,000 steers to regenerate the soil on their North Texas ranch. The practice provides healthy growth for grasslands and plants, and removes additional carbon from the atmosphere, all while increasing biodiversity and conserving rainfall. Moving the herd multiple times a day achieves results that are nothing short of amazing.

CONSERVATION

BIG AGRICULTURE IS BROKEN - PART ONE* SOIL IS THE SOLUTION - PART TWO* WHAT WE'RE DOING (AND WHY) - PART THREE* Sustainability is the key word here and Patagonia, an apparel maker that has been changing how clothes are produced, has gone one step further and put money into a short film on Regenerative Organic Farming. Yvon Chouinard, the man behind Patagonia has brought in the smartest people in the world to discuss in easy to understand ways, how we can save the planet by using more well-thought-out practices for agriculture. For those in the audience who are baby boomers, you’ll get a kick out of the voice-over at the start of the first short, it’s that same voice & style that was used in all the government films we watched as kids. Old voice + old practices = new a start.

CONSERVATION

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* Films playing outside of competition.

Unlocked Friday Oct 9th Block #35

SPECIAL EVENT SPOTLIGHT - CARBON COWBOYS PANEL DISCUSSION

FREE

See the Carbon Cowboys in action!

After screening “Program Block #34,” watch, for free, an intriguing panel discussion about the future of our environment. You will hear from renowned leading experts, Steve Apfelbaum, Founder & Chairman of Applied Ecological Services; Larry Kopald, Co-Founder and President, The Carbon Underground Organization; and Peter Byck of Carbon Cowboys as they share their knowledge and answer questions about what our environment will look like for years to come—moderated by Lew Eisaguirre, Founder of NaturalCAPX.

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STEVE APFELBAUM FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN OF APPLIED ECOLOGICAL SERVICES

LARRY KOPALD CO-FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, THE CARBON UNDERGROUND ORGANIZATION

PETER BYCK CARBON COWBOYS

LEW EISAGUIRRE - MODERATOR FOUNDER OF NATURALCAPX

EXPLORE

DISCOVER

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Proud to sponsor the Nature Track Film Festival.

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Santa Barbara Independent is proud to support the NatureTrack Film Festival.

Artist Advocacy Foundation

Proud sponsor of the VIP Experience at the NatureTrack Film Festival • Sushi - made fresh in-store daily • Espresso Bar - fresh coffee roasted on site • Organic Juice Bar • Full Service Meat Counter USDA Choice and Prime Meats • Craft beers, Fine Wines and Premium Spirits • Natural and Organic selections throughout • Salad Bar, Wing Bar and Olive Bar • Organic Scratch Made Artisanal Breads • McConnell’s Local Ice Cream Bar • Fresh Local Seafood and Produce

STORE OPEN 6 AM TILL 11 PM 805-688-4300 2886 Mission Drive, Solvang, CA www.elranchomarket.com

Global Gardens "olives" NatureTrack!

Corny, but true, we do olive a lifelong fascination with nature, just like NatureTrack. We are Santa Barbara's 1st, Certified Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil producer, celebrating 20 years as a popular source for Extra Virgin Olive Oil, home-made Balsamic Vinegars, Organic Snacks, Sauces & Spice Blends.

Congratulations to NatureTrack for their inaugural Film Festival year in beautiful Los Olivos!

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Located at the Mirabelle Inn. Located at the Mirabelle Inn. 2019 Michelin Plate awarded.

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409 1st Street 409 1st Street Solvang, CA 93463 Solvang, CA 93463 (805) 688-1703 (805) 688-1703

Chateau du Sureau Chateau du Sureau Next to the south Yosemite entrance.

A 9-acre fairy-tale castle nestled in the Next to the south Yosemite entrance.

Foothills offering services ASierra 9-acre fairy-tale castle spa nestled in the and a Foothills fine dining restaurant.

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5-Star accommodations 48688 Victoria Lane Oakhurst, CA 93644 48688 Victoria Lane (559) 683-6860 Oakhurst, CA 93644

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Friday, April 17 5pm–9pm Saturday, April 18 11am–8pm Sunday, April 19 11am–6pm

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2020 filmmaker award artist Kathy Badrak

Each year the NatureTrack Film Festival invites a local artist to create our unique filmmaker awards. This year we are honored to present one-of-kind “Serenity Stone” awards created by Kathy Badrak, a local mixed media artist.

“Colors and textures have always been an important part of my life. I am a Gourd Artist, and longtime weaver – both tapestry and baskets, and a hoarder of natural objects!

The Serenity Stones allow me to take into consideration the shape, size, vibration, and color and to weave the patterns that capture the rock’s unique stillness, quality, and beauty.

Gourd Art allows me to work with the wonderful fibers and weaving materials that I use in my baskets. They allow me to add interesting textures to my work. I love the earthy and natural appeal of gourds and often leave much of the beautiful gourd surface showing in my work.

My style continues to evolve as I create art that invites quiet contemplation.”

2019 filmmaker award artist Kristen Cramer

In 2019 the NTFF was honored to present our winners with beautiful natural clay vases from the pottery wheel of Global Eye Art Collective’s Kristen Cramer.

Global Eye is a long-time collaboration of Michael Robertson and Kristen Cramer, exploring a multitude of artistic directions. Together Michael and Kristen live and work in the Santa Ynez Valley creating ceramics, painting and jewelry, and doing photography and design projects.

Their products can be found at beautiful stores around the country and you can visit them at their own retail shop, Global Eye Art Collective, right here in Los Olivos.

They also have a seafood company, Flying Rake, and their gardens, bees and vineyard supply Loshino with other edible goods.

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The NatureTrack Film Festival thanks Kathy Badrak, Kristen Cramer and Global Eye for their generous and artistic contributions.

thank you to our sponsors Our sponsors share our vision to ignite passion for the outdoors and foster a lifelong fascination with nature. Their support has sustained this annual film festival and inspired audiences to fully enjoy and value our natural world for years to come. Please help us thank them by supporting the businesses and organizations that are making the third NTFF possible.

VENUE SPONSOR

PRESENTING SPONSOR

EAGLE SPONSOR WINES OF SANTA BARBARA CA

CONDOR SPONSOR

RAVEN SPONSOR Noozhawk | The Santa Barbara Independent | Mechanics Bank Community Environmental Council | Orion Magazine | For Friends Inn Dos Carlitos Restaurant & Tequila Bar | Valley Piggery

QUAIL SPONSOR Los Olivos Wine Merchant Café | Solminer Wine Company | Rio Vista Chevrolet Hampton Inn & Suites | Urquidez Building Corp | Montecito Bank & Trust Badger | Bee’s Wrap

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acknowledgments NatureTrack Film Festival Sue Eisaguirre Founder/Director KC Murphy Thompson Co-Director

Holly Cline Co-Director

Pam Layton Data Management

Pam Miller Volunteer Coordinator

Maureen McFadden Public Relations

Thank you to our Volunteers!

The NatureTrack Film Festival thanks all of our dedicated volunteers for generously helping us present another fun and memorable film festival for patrons and filmmakers. We could not present three days of film without our superstar volunteers. Please take a bow!

Curtain call and standing ovation for our outstanding judges!

Stephanie Austin Curt Cragg Richard Harris Jeff Hester

Brenda Juarez Doug MacLean Renee Pasquinelli Joan Singleton

Matthew Testa Scott Thaler Louis Tremblay Mark Wilkinson

Fostering a lifelong fascination with nature Board of Directors

In Memoriam

Sue Eisaguirre Founder/Director

In memory of Dan Conaway’s dedication and invaluable contributions to the NatureTrack Foundation as a board member and docent, we are honored to present “The Dan Conaway Award” for the best film in the “Kids Connecting with Nature” category.

Randy Pace Secretary Stephen Palmer Treasurer

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Gary Crispin Alfred Holzheu Katie Holzheu Dennis Nord

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You trust the rain, the sun, the soil. You trust what you can see, feel, and touch. You trust what comes from nature, what folks have been using for over a thousand years to feel better.

You trust nature knows best.

YOU TRUST THE EARTH... WE DO TOO.