2007 local visions

This year we are dedicating 2 screening segments of our festival to local filmmakers and local issues. As we examine the world around us by watching the other films in our festival, we must not forgot our own backyard and the people who live there too.

Saturday, Nov. 3rd at the Library Theatre at 11:30 am

Dana Inkster - 24 Days In Brooks

Sunday, Nov. 4th at the Metro Cinema at 11:00 am

Duane Goodstriker and Phillip Coutue - The Resurrection of Fort Edmonton

In the filmakers own words...A short film about the journey of Sootaanaah (Rainy Chief-Duane Good Striker) and Soowaastiiss (The Feather-Phillip Coutue) at the Northern Big River boundry of the Soveriegn Blackfoot Nation. Like the ones before them Blackfoot and Metis men have acknowledged and challenged the desecrarion of the final resting place of the true founders of this place called The Big House (Fort Edmonton's). This film gives you the short and quick kill story.

Barb Allard - Green Monday

Are you aware of the role that Canadians play in a global thrust to evolve out of the fossil fuel age? Would you like to be?

Green Monday is a concept for a weekly, national television event - an ongoing investigation into Canadian energy, water and climate solutions. Green Monday shines a light on regional, grassroots, business, organizational and personal initiatives, with an eye on stories from the global community as well. There is more going on than meets the eye.

Green Monday is founded on the independent media principles that brought us the Made-in-Alberta project: 52 four-minute stories in 12 new-energy chapters. At the forefront of the new media convergence, Made-in-Alberta has been viewable on the world wide web, Shaw TV Edmonton, and DVD since 2004.

Made in Alberta website

Change For Children - The Water Project in Nicaragua and Funarte

In February 2007, Change for Children Association along with Frank Flaman and 11 of his staff traveled to Nicaragua with for a tour of the Community Water Projects.

In 2004 Change for Children launched the Community Water Project in cooperation with the Canadian International Development Agency, Canadian donors, and Nicaraguan partner organizations working directly with the rural villages seeking improved access to water.

The principles of community management are central to this project and capacity building and management workshops are conducted in each community as well as with municipal authorities. By having access to potable water, these communities Ð where the majority of people live in poverty Ð are no longer faced with high incidences of waterborne diseases. Moreover, the people in these communities now consume water of much better quality; whereas in the past, the water they consumed confounded and exacerbated existing health problems such as malnutrition. Thus, the project has very positive health benefits. Furthermore, as water becomes available in a community, women and children can dedicate more time to other activities as they no longer have to spend hours collecting water.

Change for Children website

Edzimkulu - Changing Lives

Edzimkulu website

Edzimkulu is an Edmonton-based Canadian charity established in 2003 to provide support to children affected by AIDS in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The country has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the world. In four short years, Canadian volunteers (primarily from Edmonton and area) have worked with the people of Ndawana to build a health clinic that provides HIV testing, treatment and counseling. Edzimkulu also provides support to many of the village's orphans who have lost their parents to AIDS. We have made friends and shared in the joys and struggles of life on both sides of the world.

"Changing Lives" documents the work of Edzimkulu and expresses the strong spirit of a people determined to face their challenges and embrace a more joyful life.