Projecting Change Film Festival 2010 showcases 15 international films focused on environmental and sustainability issues:  global warming, water, recycling, poverty, food, and green businesses. The Festival combines engaging films and inspiring speakers to increase awareness and promote change within the Vancouver community. After each film, select filmmakers and industry leaders will have interactive discussions with audience members. All profits from the festival will be invested in local initiatives.

Executive Director Colette Gunson says this about the festival:

“We try to program films that take a positive outlook, are really solutions-focused, and that are really inspirational to the audience members. That’s really what we’re trying to do, build a community of people that are actually interested in making a positive change.”

An important part of the festival is focused on films concerning youth and families.  Friday is Youth Day, with all films focused on films, speakers, and workshops aimed at kids. The film “Chemerical: redefining clean for a new generation”, starts Friday at 10 a.m. This film talks about household cleaners and hygiene products and what happens to them over their life cycle. The good news is that there are non-toxic options for families and kids.  Emily Jubenvill will talk about fun, simple ways to create natural cleaning and personal care products. Recipes are included. Other screenings are listed at http://www.projectingchange.ca/schedule.php

The festival helps educate audiences about people working on local initiatives. As Colette Gunson puts it: “We really try to connect with non-profit organizations that are working on the issues addressed in the film to help promote what they’re doing and to help connect the audience to local initiatives so that everyone can come together.”

“Garbage Dreams” follows three teenage boys born into the trash trade and growing up in the world’s largest “garbage village”— on the outskirts of Cairo. It is home to 60,000 Zaballeen  (Arabic for garbage people). Far ahead of any modern green initiatives, the Zaballeen survive by recycling 80% of the garbage they collect. Face to face with the globalization of their trade, each of the teenage boys is forced to make choices that will impact his future and the survival of his community.

Mairi Welman, Director of Communications at Recycling Council of B.C., and Seann Dory, Manager of Sustainability at United We Can are scheduled to speak after “Garbage Dreams” to bring  global issues of garbage, recycling, and poverty  into a local perspective.

On Sunday night, David Suzuki, Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson and Director Ron Colby are speaking after the showing of “Pirate for the Sea”. The film is a biographical film of Captain Paul Watson, the youngest founding member of Greenpeace Canada. He organized early campaigns protesting the killing of seals, whales, and dolphins. Greenpeace forced him out of the organization him for being too controversial. He went on to start the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

I went to the opening night film and gala on Thursday to see the documentary “Carbon Nation”. The film  was  educational and moving, focusing on the personal stories of people making a difference in their neighborhoods, their cities, and the world. It was the film’s first showing  in Canada.

Director Peter Byck came to Vancouver and spent time after the film responding in detail to audience questions. Deputy City Manager Sadhu Johnston who oversees the City of Vancouver’s “Greenest City Initiative”, joined Peter. Johnston spoke about steps Vancouver government is taking to steer Vancouver towards becoming the greenest city in the world by 2020 with such projects like the Composting program, bike lines, and carbon taxes.

I’ve included a collection of photos and audio interviews that were taken after the film and during the after party with: Executive Director Colette Gunson, Director Peter Byck, green business festival sponsors Diana Squires, of GreenZebra guide, Preet Marwaha, of Organic Lives, and Len Laycock, of Upholstery Arts. As usual, it’s always interesting when people talk about theiir stories.

FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE, 2110 BURRARD ST., VANCOUVER (AT 5TH)
Ticket prices for single films and speakers: Adults – $12.00, Students (13-17) Seniors (65+) – $10.00, those with bike helmets or bus passes- $10.00, and Children 12 and under – $10.00 at the door.
Full pass is $80

Peter Byck at Afterparty for Projecting Change Film Festival 2010 held at Upholstery Arts.

Peter Byck responds to audience questions at the Fifth Avenue cinema on his documentary film “Carbon nation” shown on opening night of the Projecting Change Film Festival. Sadhu Johnston talks about the local government’s Green initiatives.

Afterparty for Projecting Change Film Festival held at Upholstery Arts.

Brady Dahmer, Cofounder; Colette Gunson, Executive Director; and Lindsay Nahmiache, Cofounder, at Afterparty for Projecting Change Film Festival 2010 held at Upholstery Arts.

Interview with Colette Gunson on the history, evolution and lineup of Projecting Change Film Festival 2010.

Diana Squires working at the Green Zebra booth at Projecting Change Film Festival 2010

Interview with Diana Squires on how Green Zebra helps people get local saving for Sustainable living.

Preet Marwaha and co-workers from Organic Lives, catering at Afterparty for Projecting Change Film Festival 2010 held at Upholstery Arts.

Interview with Preet Marwaha on how he cured himself of Colitis, which inspired him to start a business helping others eat healthy, organic food.

Len Laycock, owner of Upholstery Arts at Afterparty for Projecting Change Film Festival 2010.

Interview withLen Laycock on creating a new kind of Upholstery, Furniture store ‘from the inside out”. Inspired by an event in his family, Len offers clients furniture built with organic fabrics, non-toxic leather, and other earth friendly materials.

Glen Garrick, and Jacqui Stoutenburg at Afterparty for Projecting Change Film Festival 2010.

Interview with Glen Garrick, and Jacqui Stoutenburg on taking green actions in one’s life, such as taking transit, recycling, using less water, and more.

Marina and Diana Squires working at the Green Zebra booth at Projecting Change Film Festival 2010

Interview with Marina on how she came to attend the Festival, her views on the Carbon Nation film, and the Festival may impact her life.

Allison Nicholls and Keith Freeman – Volunteer extraordinaires, and Kent Houston – Marketing for Projecting Change Film Festival 2010.

Auction table at Afterparty for Projecting Change Film Festival 2010 held at Upholstery Arts

DJ T-Spoon playing for Afterparty for Projecting Change Film Festival 2010 held at Upholstery Arts

Electric bike auctioned at Afterparty for Projecting Change Film Festival 2010

Rachel Fox from local web magazine Vancouverisawesome.com and Robyn Wiener from Synergy Cinema at Afterparty for Projecting Change Film Festival 2010 held at Upholstery Arts

Bankground on Projecting Change Film Festival

* Four days of film screenings
* Interactive discussions after each film by select filmmakers and industry leaders
* Special events and activites
* Kids Day screenings during the day on Friday

2010 Schedule:
ALL SCREENING ARE AT: FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE, 2110 Burrard St., Vancouver (AT 5TH)

* Thursday, April 22 – Opening Night
* Friday, April 23 – Kids day + Regular Programming
* Saturday, April 24 – Regular Programming
* Sunday, April 25 – Regular Programming
* Sunday, April 25 – Closing night

Tickets
Tickets AVAILABLE HERE

Reserved Tickets and Passes can be purchased online on the Schedule page.
Rush tickets will be available at the theatre upon availability of seating.

* Adults – $12.00
* Students (13-17) – $10.00
* Seniors (65+) – $10.00
* Children 12 and under – $10.00 At the door

The Flash slide show of my photos on flickr.com/pixelate

Buy tickets at: http://www.projectingchange.ca

Jonathan Hanley is an entrepreneur, web guy, writer and photographer— into all things social media and communications. He has worked with international green groups and sustainable businesses for more than 25 years. Bringing people together by building and growing social communities for 14 years.

Jonathan has blogged 27 posts here.