Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival announces 2018 Award Winning films

Planet in Focus International Environmental Film Festival Announces 2018 Award Winners

Slater Jewell-Kemker’s Youth Unstoppable named Best Canadian Feature, while Farhan Umedaly's Sun on Top of the House takes Best Canadian Short Award. Hannah Donegan and Ann Shin winners of The Green Pitch with The New Black Gold.

The 19th Planet in Focus International Environmental Film Festival took place October 25 to 28, 2018 planetinfocus.org

TORONTO - Closing a very successful 19th edition, the Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival (PiF) has unveiled its award winners for 2018. Announced at the festival’s Closing Night Gala, the awards include:

Best International Short           

A Film about Animals (for my children to watch when they are older)

Eric Daniel Metzgar, USA (2016)

This filmed “letter” to his children, in which director Metzgar shows that despite the valiant efforts of Cambodia's Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team, animal life is disappearing illegally from the country's rainforests was selected by the following jury: Programmer Elwood Jimmy, from Musagetes; Acting Executive Producer of TRT World Stavroula Logothettis; Sally Lee, the Executive Director of CARFAC; PIF Board Member Daniela Ponce; and PIF 2017 International Short winner Jenny Nichols.

Best Canadian Short  

Sun on Top of the House

Farhan Umedaly, Canada (2018)

Umedaly’s portrait of British Columbia's largest community solar project, in which the Haida people have reclaimed control of their sacred lands and become leaders in renewable energy, was selected by the following jury: TIFF Shorts Programmer Lisa Haller; Pure + Simple Co-Founder Jean Eng; Environmental Communications Manager Thomas Jenkins; PIF Board Member and Treasurer Alice Madolciu; and 2017 Best Canadian Short Winner Scott Dobson.

Best International Feature           

When Lambs Become Lions

Jon Kasbe, USA (2018)

Kasbe’s luminous and gripping portrayal of Kenya's poaching crisis was selected by the following jury: Green Film Network Member Samer Angelone; Environmental Journalist Christina Gabetti; PIF Board Member Ravi de Costa; CarribeanTales Programming Coordinator Mandisa Pantin; and 2017 Best International Feature Winner David Borenstein.

Best Canadian Feature   

Youth Unstoppable

Slater Jewell-Kemker, Canada/USA/Nepal/Mexico (2018)

PIF 2018 Opening Night Gala film, Slater Jewell-Kemker’s debut feature charting the rise of the Global Youth Climate Movement was selected by the following jury: Filmmakers Lisa Jackson and Maureen Judge; CBC producer Caroline Underwood; Reel Canada's Deanna Wong; and 2017 Best Canadian Feature Winner Chanda Chevannes. The Jury also awarded an Honourable Mention to Liz Marshall’s Midian Farm.

Mark Haslam Award       

El Taco Mazahua, entre el oro verde y la monarca

Juan Pablo Ortíz Tallavas, Mexico, (2017)

In Mexico's Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Preserve, Indigenous farmers are reversing the hazardous effects of monoculture and chemical fertilizers to make the land—and the neighbouring butterfly forest--sustainable again. Award determined by PIF Senior Programmer Marc Glassman and PIF Programmer Julian Carrington.

Green Pitch Prize (worth over $25k in services & cash)

The New Black Gold, Hannah Donegan and Ann Shin

Hannah Donegan and Ann Shin’s film project which will follow four industry leaders across the globe as they transform human sewage into sustainable and profitable resources was selected by the following jury: Bruce Fleming, Partner and Audio Lead at Eggplant Picture and Sound; Gave Lindo, executive director of OTT programming at the CBC; and Hot Docs Industry Programmer Madelaine Russo.

The Green Pitch was sponsored by Eggplant Picture & Sound, Muskoka North Film Studios, SIM International, William F. White, Dynamix Solutions, Pie in the Sky Studios, The Source Shop, Duncan Morin, Trinity Square Video, Supergroup Sonic Branding, and Daniela Ponce Publicity.

About Planet in Focus

Planet in Focus is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to use film as a catalyst for change by raising awareness of critical environmental issues through a variety of media-based initiatives including; the Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival, the Green School Tours, Eco-Film Lab, the PIF Student Film Festival and year-round screenings that showcase the best environmental films from Canada and around the world. PlanetinFocus.org

Planet in Focus gratefully acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Celebrate Ontario, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Creates, Telefilm Canada, and Heritage Canada.

Fb.com/PlanetinFocus

@PlanetinFocus

#PiF2018

My Tiff18 10 films I watched in 10 days.

The Toronto International Film Festival Just wrapped up yesterday and this year I saw a lot fewer films and this year had a noticeable change to the vibe of the festival.

Out was Harvey Weinstein and his Big and Little Indie films and in was a lot more female directors and films that don't have the Hollywood star power.

My Tiff was stacked with volunteer shifts at the beginning of the festival and watching a few films during the week followed by a closing night shift and a couple of rush lines.

This year's People's Choice Winner was my favourite film that I saw at the festival this year and I saw it the day before the festival so I was hoping it would have been A Star is Born because I wasn't able to see that film this week even though I was volunteering on that shift and got to see the Stars of the film.

Here is the list of films I saw this year in my order of Preference.

1.  Green Book - Look for Academy Award nominations for Viggo Mortenssen and Mehershali Ali who gave stellar performances in this film.  This is a multi layered film that is beautiful and thoughtful.

2.  Driven - Jason Sudekis plays the neighbour of the Delorian designer and they get involved in some shady dealings together.  Fun to watch the production design of this film.

3.  This Changes Everything - A documentary that was close to my heart because it showed data on how women are not given the same opportunities as men in the film industry and if you are a visible minority you have even less chances of getting work in the industry.

4.  Public - Emilio Esteves directs this drama about homeless men who decide to take over the public library on one cold night in Cincinnati.  The scene at the end is very memorable.

5.  Sharkwater Extinction - This is the final film by Rob Stewart the champion activist for the survival of Sharks and putting a spotlight on how shark finning is destroying our ecological environment.  This film is both beautiful, brutal and sad because it's bittersweet that the film was made but Rob Stewart didn't live to see it's fruition.  The family were in attendance at the screening.

6.  A Private War - Rosamund Pike plays a tortured journalist who is compelled to go to war zones to tell people's stories at the risk of her own life.  This is a true story of a female journalist who would go to lengths that her male counterparts wouldn't.  She covered historic news events that no one else did.

7.  Widows - Starring Viola Davis and Michelle Rodriguez who play widows who join forces with other widows who are threatened to come up with the money that was lost after their failed heist.  Viola Davis is as intense as expected.  Liam Neeson plays her husband and his character does a lot of unexpected things.  Colin Farrel plays a  shady Mayoral candidate and Daniel Kaluuya plays a totally evil sadistic enforcer.  This is a Hollywood blockbuster of a film

8.  Life Itself - Created by the writer of the TV show This is Us. - This is a film that is broken up into a few stories with some connecting links.  The most compelling story was with Antonio Banderas who finally plays a good man in this film.  Bring the tissues for this one.

9.  Vox Lux - Natalie Portman plays a badly behaved pop star who's hard living takes a toll on her. A big stretch for Portman but I think the film could have been better in the hands of a different director.

10   Husband Material - I was at the world premiere of this Bollywood Film.  This film was more of a music video strung together with some aggressive character dialogue.  I didn't connect with the characters of this predictable film and didn't stay for the whole film but the audience who obviously knew the actors were enthralled with it.  I think this has a specific audience that isn't me.

This is not my City -Toronto :(

I woke up and turned on the tv to find out that there was another random shooting on the Danforth in Toronto last night.  12 people were shot and one person killed and the shooter is dead.

All I keep asking myself lately is WHY?  Why does this keep happening and why is the level of violence increasing at an alarming rate?

Our Mayor John Tory is always quick to respond to these situations and understands how serious and life shattering these events are and he is trying to develop a strategy with the Police to try and curb gun violence but I am starting to feel like they are fighting a losing battle.

My City is not my City anymore.  Even as little as 3 years ago I felt differently about living in Toronto and feeling free to roam the streets.  3 years ago I wasn't working and was spending a lot of time at street festivals and blogging about them on my Food Blog.  Now I have lost the desire to be in crowds of people because the risks are ever increasing because sick people are now targeting large groups of people and trying to destroy as much human capital is they can. 

The first time there was a big shakeup in the world was after 9/11 when people couldn't believe that there was a plan to hijack planes with the sole intent of killing people at the twin towers in NYC.

Ever since then random violence from gun shootings or terrorism or now the driving over people have escalated throughout the world. 

I live in Willowdale and my community changed in April when one depressed guy decided to hop into a van and run people down on a very busy warm and sunny workday lunch hour and kill innocent people just going about their daily business.

We have had the summer of the gun back again this summer with every weekend having escalating death tolls from random gun violence.  Violence is no longer targeted to someone being angry at someone else for something specific to them only.  Violence is everywhere and there is often no reason for it.  Many times the people shooting random people kill themselves or are killed by Police so we never find out why they do this.

The Why is what we need to find out so that we can figure out how to prevent it before someone decides to pick up a gun or form a plan to hurt other people.

I don't think having more Police is the only answer because mostly the attacks have no warning and the Police can only control the aftermath after someone has been shot or run down.

We need to look at what has changed in our World.  Is it the media broadcast of these events and people trying to keep topping the last one or is it the fact that people don't care about consequences anymore and have lost empathy for others.  Is it the violent video game mentality where they think it's cool to shoot people or is it that there are people that are just so extremely angry that all they want to do is make people go away.

I am ANGRY too... I am angry at the people that make these decisions that destroy so many people's lives but I am never going to buy a gun,  make a bomb or jump in a van and form a plan to kill innocent people.   How does it get to that point?  What are the red flags and why aren't we seeing them? 

I want my City back and want to feel free to walk a street festival, sit on a patio, go to the movies, go to the mall or a concert or even just walk down the street alone. 

Growing up I never had to think about the chances of getting shot or getting run down and making my decision on whether to do something or not because of it.  Now young people growing up have to be aware 24/7 that violence can be anywhere and everywhere and they have to be suspicious of strangers all the time and have to learn about what to do in case violence occurs.  I never thought about these things growing up and hope that we can find a way to go back to that way of life at some point.

Is it because there are too many people in this city now?  Is it because the court system is not handing out harsher sentences to violent offenders?  Is it because the bad people have no fear or remorse anymore?  Is it because people have become used to these kinds of things now and think it's just a matter of timing before it happens close to home. 

That's not acceptable to me.  We need to keep asking Why?  We need to find out How we can change the progression of these kinds of events. 

What? Why? Is it.... Poverty?  Racism? Terrorism?  Mental Health?  Anger?  Addiction?

I want to see my City and the World reverse the violent tendencies.  The only people that need guns are the Police and Military.  We need to get rid of the desire for someone to want a weapon that will cause destruction of innocent lives.

Mass shootings don't have to become the new normal.  I feel sad for the World and the future of the kids that will inherit it.

If you see a red flag do something.

I want my Toronto to be #TorontoStrong again.

3 ICFF films that fight for their land

June 14-22, 2018

Toronto -Bell Lightbox- Vaughan-Hamilton and more cities

https://icff.ca/

Fabio Ravazzi

Giuseppe Battiston

I have been going to the Italian Contemporary Film Festival for the past few years and I really enjoy the films and the festival is organized really well too.

I have only seen a few films so far but the first 3 films seem to have 3 common threads between them.

They all seem to have common themes of Family, Integrity and taking care of the Earth.   They all have a lot of love and heart as well.  I really enjoy the Italian style of comedies,  you leave the theatres feeling really great and having a bit of an escape for a couple of hours.

The film Il Vegetale has it's lead character taking over his fathers land and growing vegetables and his relationship with his family.

Tulipani has a man from Holland settling in Italy and growing Tulips and creating a new family with the people he meets on his arrival and fights the protection system that is hurting the local businesses.

The Last Prosecco has a lonely Police Officer investigating the death of a local Wine Producer with the help of his daughter who is his only heir.

I really enjoyed all 3 films and encourage you to try and find them.  I know that Il Vegetale will be coming out in September and has a local Toronto distributor to thank for that so I hope you get a chance to see it in the Fall.

The great thing about ICFF is also the Directors and Actors who come from Italy and the US for the festival as seen above with Fabio Ravazzi and Giuseppe Battiston.  Maybe not famous to Canadians but known by Italians who love Italian Cinema.

Il Vegetale

Directed by Gennaro Nunziante

FILM INFO

Year 2018  Duration 90 min  Country Italy Genre Comedy Language English

Fabio Rovazzi is a 24’year’old graduate in Communication Sciences who lives in Milan “with a view of the future”. Fabio is looking for a job, dealing with a cumbersome father and a spoiled little sister, both of whom consider him to be a useless “vegetable”. He is searching for a career that respects his ethical criteria, but he knows that his weak spot is trust, both in himself and in others. An unexpected event will suddenly change everything. Between comical situations and paradoxical finds, our protagonist will have to reinvent his life.

CAST & CREDITS

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Director	Gennaro Nunziante
Producer	3zero2tv
	The Walt Disney Company Italia
Distributors	Medusa Film
	The Walt Disney Company Italia
Cast	Fabio Rovazzi
	Luca Zingaretti
	Ninni Bruschetta
	Paola Calliari

Tulipani

Directed by Mike Van Diem

FILM INFO

Year 2017  Country Olanda/Italia/Canada/Lituania  Length 90 min  Genre Comedy/Drama Subtitles English

This story is one of passion in which pain meets irony; a voyage in the south of Italy during the ‘50s and ‘80s where the rediscovery of one’s origins and the reconciliation with the past meets the liberating powers of revenge. Anna arrives from Canada in the heel of Italy with the aim of bringing home the ashes of her mother, originally from those lands. She will discover the shocking truth regarding her family, the identity of her real parents and how, twenty-five years before, they had fought the local mafia... on a field of tulips

CAST & CREDITS

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Director	Mike van Diem
Producer	Fatt Productions
Distributors	A71 Entertainment
Cast	Ksenia Solo
	Gijs Naber
	Lidia Vitale
	Giancarlo Giannini
	Anneke Sluiters

The Last Prosecco

Directed by Antonio Padovan

FILM INFO

Year 2017 Country Italia Length 101 min Genre Comedy/Mystery Subtitle English

The story unravels on the rolling hills where Prosecco grapes are grown; a winemaker Count, fighting to protect his territory, a stubborn half Italian half Persian police inspector; the manager of a cement plant, killed by three gunshots; and a crazy man who scrapes the rust from the tombs in the cemetery. A story about the inheritance of beauty and the value of quality. In 2010, north-east Italy began to feel a recession which nobody had expected. Only one productive sector resisted: Prosecco. This film forces us to remember that anyone who destroys the land destroys the future for everyone. 

CAST & CREDITS

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Director	Antonio Padovan
Producer	K+
Distributor	Parthenos
Cast	Giuseppe Battiston
	Rade Serbedzija
	Liz Solari
	Silvia D'Amico

Larger than Life; The Kevin Aucoin Story

Linda Matarasso and Kevin Aucoin

Larger than Life: The Kevin Aucoin Story

Directed by: Tiffany Bartok

Synopsis: Legendary makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin arrived in New York City from the small town of Lafayette, Louisiana after spending his childhood expressing himself through drawing, painting, and makeup application. In search of relief from the confusion and isolation stemming from his sexual identity and constant bullying, Kevyn found an acceptance in the fashion world that was instant and explosive. Due to his groundbreaking contouring techniques, his infectious personality and mission to make everyone feel beautiful, he quickly shot to fame doing makeup for every supermodel and celebrity throughout the 80’s and 90’s. At the height of his fame in 2002, Kevyn died mysteriously. LARGER THAN LIFE explores every corner of Kevyn’s rich, beautiful and complicated life through the story of his untimely passing and the inspiring legacy he left behind.

Last night I went to see the documentary Larger than Life: The Kevin Aucoin Story at the Inside Out Film Festival showing at the Tiff Bell Lightbox in Toronto.  I only found out about the film from watching a morning show segment with the director and immediately wanted to go see the film.  Luckily a friend of mine actually had tickets he couldn't use so I was able to see the film and I was so happy that I didn't miss it because Kevin Aucoin was my makeup Idol when I was learning makeup in the 80's and doing makeup as a freelancer for the next 30 years.  He was a huge influence on me but I could never be as talented as he was and there are very few makeup artist to ever come close to his talent.  His death left a huge hole in the Makeup Industry.  The transformations of male to female and female to male were beyond drag makeup and were more mind bending and pure art form tromp l'oile. 

I was also able to meet Kevin at a small book signing for his book Making Faces.  I can't remember exactly when that was but all I can remember is that it was a very brief chat and I was on the way to New York and I remember telling him that I just squeezed in going to see him before going to the airport.  I believe it was only a couple of years before his untimely death.

After watching the documentary I found out a whole other side that wasn't well known and that affected his health and how he coped with it.  Cher was instrumental in discovering his rare disease of extreme growth that cause him daily pain that turned into an addiction to prescription pills and so many talented people have unfortunately passed the same way.  

The documentary was a beautiful portrait of a mix of family home movies, stories from friends, family and some of the celebrities he formed bonds with.

It's very sad that he passed away so soon, who knows what ground breaking trends and innovations he would have created or in the fight against homophobia and discrimination.

note:  note the hand on my shoulder, there is a lot of talk of his hands in the film and you will find out why if you see it.

The film will be available of Itunes I believe in July 2018.  I recommend seeing it if you want to see a bit of makeup history and if you have an interest in a man who was a defender of gay rights.

Th

5 Hot Docs Documentaries you should watch

The Hot Docs Documentary Film Festival is currently running this week and ending on May 6th and I have picked a few Docs you should see at the festival or hopefully wherever they are shown after the festival.  There is a subject of interest to almost anyone and I have picked a few that had a range of subjects that were either entertaining or thought provoking.  I have broken them down by subject.



INFLUENCE & PRIVACY:
The Cleaners

This documentary has a look at the people in the Philippines who scan content from Facebook and decide whether the content should appear on their app or not.  What does "Sin" as they see it do to a person's psyche who watches it for a living.  Does it take a toll on how you look at the world.  Is there such a thing as Privacy and free speech anymore?  When you watch this film it may remind you of 1984 when Big Brother was the future of the way we were going to be watched and controlled and it seems to be a reality and starting to be revealed in the news media and how it affects the world of late.  I wouldn't say this film is the best film of the festival but it is thought provoking and revealing so it's worth a look to see what you may not know about what's put out into the world.

MUSIC:
Bachman

Bachman is the story of Randy Bachman who is best known as a Canadian music Icon from bands such as the Guess Who and BTO.  Randy Bachman is not your typical Rockstar musician but he is 100% Canadian and those roots run deep and have influenced his music and his life over the length of his career. Not much is known about Randy Bachman other than his music but in this documentary he opens up a sliver of his life to show you where he has come from and who he is when he isn't spending most of his time living and breathing music.  I was never a huge Randy Bachman fan but I always respected his long career and obvious work ethic and I found this documentary very interesting and enlightening on what a long career in Canadian Music looks like.  It's probably not what you would expect and you will find it pretty interesting I think.

COMEDY:
Bill Murray Stories

This documentary tells the story of Comic/actor Bill Murray without interviewing Bill Murray but it's told through other people's stories and videos of their experiences with him.  I have known about Bill Murray since I was in High School and the thing to talk about with my friends was what we saw on Saturday Night Live the weekend before. Bill Murray has always been unpredictable and hilarious and he lives his life the same way.  It's no secret that he is elusive and doesn't have "people" running his life and he doesn't even have a cell phone or use a computer, but he does have a 1-800 number that people can leave messages on. Sophia Coppola tried leaving countless messages for him that he never returned so she had to find another way to get him to respond to her request for him to be in her film Lost in Translation.  Bill Murray only does what he wants to do when he wants to do it.  His life is like an endless Saturday Night Live improv sketch.  He has crashed parties and washed people's dishes, and brought fans with him to baseball games and all sorts of random things.  He seems to be a guy that just wants to live life by the seat of his pants and not like a celebrity with it's restrictions. 
Everyone has a Bill Murray story and even I have somewhat of a Bill Murray story.  I was volunteering with my Entourage Team at TIFF a few years ago and during our break while the film was on we went to our regular restaurant across the street from Roy Thompson Hall.  After we had dinner we started walking back to the theatre and Bill Murray was just standing on the corner probably waiting for someone but I don't think anyone recognized him but us.  We wondered if we should say hi to him but we decided to let him just go about whatever he was doing because that's what our team does.  I wish we had asked him for a photo with us but it's still a Bill Murray story even if we don't have a picture.

THE FUTURE:
More Human than Human

This documentary will make you afraid of your future and give you the feeling that you may become obsolete sooner than you think.  With a look at many forms of AI.  Artificial Intelligence, you realize that the future that was pictured in the movies 50 plus years ago is here now and who knows where things will go in the near future.  I have been struggling with the fact that computers are taking over what used to be starter or middle class jobs.  In my own life my job will probably be replaced by a new computer system that will be taking over data entry and processing duties and the only thing that might be left to do will be to answer the phone and fix problems that this new system may create. 
Are we making progress or are we destroying the ability to build a career and a life.  You be the judge.

FOOD:
Chef Flynn

This documentary really got my heart because at the core it was all about the love and obsession of making great food but it was also a look at how a mother puts her own needs aside and supports and encourages her 10 year old son to follow his dream with her never failing assistance.  Chef Flynn McGarry started cooking out of necessity after his mothers divorce and lack of interest in cooking proper meals for Flynn and his sister so he decided to take charge and teach himself how to cook.  But he didn't just cook basic comfort food dishes, he learned how to make Michelin star restaurant worthy meals from cookbooks like the French Laundry and watching everything he could and trying everything he could by researching and obsessing over every dish.  The mother and son started hosting a pop up restaurant in their home and Chef Flynn got noticed by the New York Times which shot up his trajectory but all he wanted to do was move from his California home to open his own restaurant in New York City.  Lofty goals for an 11 year old, but Chef Flynn is a teenager with the mind of a professional chef determined to achieve success in the culinary world but do it on his own terms.

Toronto Strong Vigil

#TORONTOSTRONG

I just attended the Toronto Strong Vigil at Mel Lastman Square with one of my friends who also lives in Willowdale and was in the area around the time of the senseless Van attack on Monday April 23rd.

I was at work in the middle of a lunch event that I had organized when I got a text to see if I heard what happened at Yonge and Finch.  I had no idea but could hardly believe it when I got back to my desk and looked up what had happened.  My friend posted in shock at her experience of being there.  It could have been her that could have lost her life and if it had happened on the Saturday before when I was in the area grocery shopping it could have been me too.  This is a different kind of #METOO, one that no one wants to be a part of.

I can't say I was totally surprised that this happened as I have been feeling like it would be only a matter of time before our city would be touched with a large tragic event as the World has been experiencing random acts of violence spreading anywhere and everywhere.

I  had the same feeling hearing about this event as I did when 9/11 happened.  The World has changed and there is no such thing as being somewhere safe.  

I have been sad and angry all week because there seems to be increased levels of these types of attacks all over the world and this attack in particular hit a very diverse community so it wasn't race based, political, gender based or for any specific reason other than the fact that the person who did this was an angry and frustrated young man who lashed out on innocent people.

What makes me angry is that people like this person can rent a van and ruin so many lives and then have no regret for his actions while people in the aftermath live in fear and in grief, sadness and anger.

I haven't gone to Olive Square but I thought it was important to stand with my neighbours and friend to show respect to the people affected and show gratitude to the Police services and first responders who have been examples to the world on how we handle tragic events in our city.

I live i one of the most diverse and dense places in Toronto and everyday I see the face of the neighbourhood changing.  I have lived in this area for about 7 years and it has grown larger since I got here.

At the Vigil people from the neighbourhood and others and many faith leaders, politicians from all levels of government and local community groups were all present to come together to show how we are #TorontoStrong and to begin to heal and move on and live our lives with hope. I was happy to hear TC3 the young group who I met years ago while I did a promotional video for them.

It was great to see all religions come together for one purpose and bring people together and not divided because of religion.

The Politicians were present but did not speak as to make it a community healing event and not a political one.

I have a friend who was on the same bridge in London, England just hours before a similar Van attack and you fear that you have to make choices or you could be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I think the answer is to be more aware of people in our communities and get people help before they turn to violence against others.  We do not want to live in a city where it becomes a police state with walls and we lose our freedom to walk the streets without fear and to go about our daily business without having to wonder if something will happen.   

Canada is a country of diversity and freedom and we don't want to lose this way of life.

Stay Strong Toronto.