With the about to celebrate its fifth anniversary, co-founder Brady Dahmer has a clear concept of what distinguishes his sustainable festival from other local cinema showcases.
This is more of a proactive way to get some of these people engaged in these issues and topics, he explains of his approach to programming a selection of socially conscious and environmentally minded documentaries and then supplementing them with speakers who spearhead post-screening discussions.
To Dahmers way of thinking, its essential that issues-based films leave audiences motivated rather than demoralized. All of the films we show have to have an inspirational or solution-based element to them, he states. Afterwards, we bring on a panel of just amazing speakers that say, Heres what you can do today and tomorrow in your local community. Thats where the speakers can add that extra bit of inspiration.
The roster of experts assembled for these discussions is as diverse as it is impressive. On opening night, TED2011 speaker John Hunter will tackle advancements in education after a screening of World Peace & Other 4th Grade Accomplishments. Following SWITCH, visionary scientist Joel L. Bellenson will speak on his new passion: the solar revolution. Local restauranteur Scott Hawthorne will follow-up In Organic We Trust by explaining how partnering with local vendors has helped his ventures survive in an unforgiving industry.
We can help educate our audience on what is going on out there and get them connected with local organizations, Dahmer says. In this vein, a screening of One Beach will segue into a Kits Beach clean-up that the Surfrider Foundation has organized for Earth Day on April 22.
We kind of call ourselves an open source festival, Dahmer concludes. Come to us with an idea and lets use our power as a festival to get our audience engaged in other social activities and ventures.
The Projecting Change Film Festival runs April 17-22 at SFU Woodwards. Single screenings $12 or festival pass $80 from .
