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The 2009 Wild and Scenic Awards - And The Winners Are...
Published on Jan 10, 2009 - 5:31:54 PM
By: YubaNet
NEVADA CITY Calif. Jan. 10, 2009 - The South Yuba River Citizen's League awarded today the 2009 Wild and Scenic Awards, affectionately known as the "Yubies," during the 7th annual Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival in Nevada City.
Best of Festival 2009 winners Leanne Robinson-Maine, Justin Maine and Guy Noerr. Photo YubaNet
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The "Best of Festival" was awarded to So Right, So Smart. Film makers Leanne Robinson-Maine, Justin Maine and Guy Noerr were present for the world premiere of their movie and accepted the award during Saturday's ceremony.
So Right, So Smart synopsis: Some corporations are realizing that fitting into natural systems is smarter than trying to control them. Under the inspiring leadership of Ray Anderson, Interface is a green leader, alongside Patagonia, Green Mountain Coffee, and New Belgium.
What is most remarkable is not the change of mind, but the change of heart these companies experience as they recognize that environmental stewardship is ethical and imperative.
Spirit of Activism Award
2009 Wild and Scenic Award. Photo YubaNet
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Garbage Warrior by Oliver Hodge, Rachel Wexler.
What do beer cans, car tires and water bottles have in common? Not much unless you're renegade architect Michael Reynolds, in which case they are tools of choice for producing energy-independent housing. For 30 years New Mexicobased Reynolds has been advancing the art of "Earthship Biotecture" by building self-sufficient, off-the-grid communities where design and function converge in eco-harmony. Audience Award, vancouver Intl FF (UK, 2007, 84min, E) www.garbagewarrior.com, www.earthship.org.
Most Inspiring Adventure Film
3 Peaks, 3 Weeks by Michael Brown, David D'Angelo, Greg S. Moyer, Mark DeAngelis, Rob Faris, Andrew Kaplan, Matthew Kennedy.
A team of 10 women from Australia and the USA come together to attempt to climb three of Africa's highest peaks in less than three weeks. They hope to raise money and awareness for three key issues affecting East Africa today: environment, education, and HIV/AIDS. People's Choice Award, Flagstaff Mountain FF (US, 2007, 52min, A) www.seracfilms.com, www.3peaks3weeks.org.
Jury Awards
The Price of Sugar by Bill Haney, Erin Grunebaum.
In the Dominican Republic, tourists flock to beaches unaware that a few miles away dispossessed, enslaved Haitians are harvesting sugarcane, much of which ends up in our kitchens. Narrated by the late Paul Newman, the film follows Father Hartley, a charismatic Spanish priest, as he organizes people to fight for their basic human rights. You'll never look at your box of sugar in the same way again. Audience Award, SXSW FF (US, 2007, 90min, E) www.priceofsugar.com
Former Dallas Mayor Laura Miller. Photo YubaNet
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Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars by Mat Hames, Cara Carney.
In 2006, Governor Rick Perry of Texas fast-tracked an initiative giving a private enterprise, TXU, authority to produce 11 new coal plants, all using antiquated technology that would effect air quality. But a coalition of mayors statewide started the battle for clean air. The movement was bipartisan, and included Republican representatives, ranchers, farmers, and ordinary people. (US, 2007, 32min, E) www.fightinggoliathfilm.com.
Former Dallas Mayor Laura Miller accepted the award. She also led a workshop: Mobilizing Your Community on Saturday morning. Laura served as Dallas mayor from 2002-2007. During her service, she led the opposition against 18 old-technology coal plants proposed for Texas. Her accomplishments are documented in the film, Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars which screened Friday evening in the Stone Hall, and Sunday morning in Oddfellows.
Saving Luna by Suzanne Chisholm, Michael Parfit.
What happens when a wild orca tries to make friends with people? In 2001, when Luna was just a baby, he found himself alone in Nootka Sound, more than 200 miles away from his family. The same social instincts that drove Luna to seek companionship also brought people to him, in spite of the law. Luna became a symbol of the world's wildest beauty: easy to love, hard to save. Multiple Awards. (Canada, 2008, 92min, E) www.savingluna.com
Student Filmmaker Awards
Lynx by Wynn Padua, Ben Harris, Eric Binns.
In Montana, an influential Native American rancher hires a biologist to try to find an endangered species in a forest that is slated to be logged. When the scientist discovers planted lynx hairs in one of his traps, an armed conflict begins between the Native American ranchers and a logging company. Panavision New Filmmaker Award (US, 2008, 17min, N) www.pixelcolors.com
Journey of the Yuba by Anabella Funk.
This family-oriented history of the Yuba, written and directed by a local third-grade girl, tells the story of both the challenges and beauty of the river. www.yubariver.org (US, 2008, 7min, K)
Honorable Mentions
I Met the Walrus
Wild Ocean
American Outrage
Under Our Skin
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