Back for round two, The San Francisco Green Film Festival announced today their film program and special events line up for the Festival’s 2nd annual film fest, taking place March 1-7, 2012. SFGFF is the Bay Area’s only festival dedicated to films and new forms of media that explore green issues and sustainable living. This year’s films include local premieres of 40 films from around the globe, with 50 visiting filmmakers and guest speakers. The festival will also feature special events, parties, panels and educational programs, inviting festival attendees to get involved and take action with environmental causes important to them. This year’s festival will take place at the San Francisco Film Society Cinema, with additional events at the Superfrog Gallery, both located at 1746 Post St. “We are thrilled to be bringing some of the world’s most innovative and inspiring films about green issues and sustainable living back to the Bay Area for the 2nd Annual San Francisco Green Film Festival,” says Rachel Caplan, the Festival’s Founder and Director. “With thousands of attendees at our inaugural festival last year, we are excited to be able to have the opportunity to bring an even more provocative and compelling line up of programming, panels and parties to an even wider audience this year.”
It was President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives who electrified attendees at the United Nations climate Conference in Copenhagen. The Maldives President also a proponent of solar energy, is being featured in The Festival’s Opening Night Film Premiere of “The Island President.” It was the winner of the Audience Award at the 2011 Toronto Film Festival. Local filmmaker Jon Shenk’s latest critically acclaimed film is about President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives as he confronts a problem greater than any other world leader has faced – the literal survival of his country and everyone in it. Due to rising sea levels, his country could end up under water. The film follows the president’s journey as he fights to get the voice of his small nation heard within the global climate change debate. The film features fourteen songs by Radiohead as well songs from indie band Stars Of The Lid. Samuel Goldwyn Films will release the film theatrically in San Francisco at Landmark Theatres on April 6th. The film will be followed up with the opening night party featuring local organic food and drinks.
Each SFGFF screening includes compelling post-film programs where audiences engage in discussions with filmmakers and activists and meet sponsors and partners. This year SFGFF is launching “Lights! Camera! Action Steps!” linking festival attendees with leaders in local environmental causes to get involved. The program will provide attendees with take-away action steps, web resources, a video story booth at the venue, and group activities that promote tangible ways to stay involved in the issues of environmental justice presented in the festival’s films.The Closing Night film is a sneak preview of Emily James’s energetic “Just Do It: A Tale of Modern-Day Outlaws” which takes a fresh and animated look at illegal activism and civil disobedience through engaging characters fighting capitalism and trying to raise awareness about the environment…a nod for sure to the ongoing Occupy movement activities taking place throughout the world today. Closing night party will follow the film. The Closing Night film is a sneak preview of Emily James’s energetic “Just Do It: A Tale of Modern-Day Outlaws” which takes a fresh and animated look at illegal activism and civil disobedience through engaging characters fighting capitalism and trying to raise awareness about the environment…a nod for sure to the ongoing Occupy movement activities taking place throughout the world today. Closing night party will follow the film.