JULIAN WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS MAY 16-17

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May 10, 2014 (Julian) – The third annual Julian Wild & Scenic Film Festival is slated for May 16 and 17 in Julian, a historic mountain town in San Diego’s East County.   

“We have some awesome films and guest speakers lined up along with some great parties and special events,” promises Nancy Kramer, an organizer of the event.  “We'll introduce you to sports such as Canyoneering (exploring a canyon by engaging in such activities as rappelling, rafting, and waterfall jumping)  surfing on a remote Arctic Island, kayaking over waterfalls, and closer to home...roller-blading along the Mission Bay/Pacific Beach Boardwalk.”  Also watch two women in the field, one who studies whales and dolphins and another who save sloths as their rain forests habitats are clearcut.  Plus she added, “You'll fall in love with a young man who dedicates his time to introducing at-risk kids to the beauty of nature.” 

The third annual festival – which will be held May 16-17 at Julian High School multipurpose room  – is part of a 115-city nationwide tour that showcases award-winning films about nature, community activism, adventure, conservation, water, energy and climate change, wildlife, environmental justice, agriculture, and indigenous cultures.

These films combine stellar filmmaking, beautiful cinematography and first-rate storytelling to inform, inspire and ignite solutions and possibilities to restore the earth and human communities while creating a positive future.  This year’s film festival selections will not only take audiences to some of the most remote and beautiful places on the planet, but introduce them to the magnificent animals that inhabit these places and the courageous individuals who are working to protect and preserve both for future generations.

Weekend Film Festival Passholders are invited to kick off the Film Festival Friday night in Wynola at Jeremy’s on the Hill with a special “farm-to-table” event featuring food from local organic farms. Hors d’oeuvres by celebrity Chef Jeremy Manley (who also started Julian’s farm-to-school lunch program), plus a no host bar will be available throughout the evening. The event will feature a short film on the farm-to-table movement, and a talk by Tricia Elisara, who started Julian Elementary School’s garden, on the positive effects of kids eating food they have grown and harvested. Some of the filmmakers will also be on hand during the soirée. Space at the dinner is limited to 50 people. Purchase your Weekend Festival passes.

Saturday’s 24 stellar films, many with numerous awards, will begin at 10:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day in four 75 to 105-minute sessions with a 90 minute break for lunch. The festival will also include Q&A sessions with some of the filmmakers. Grab a sandwich from Candied Apple which will be sold at the High School venue and then scurry next door to the Library to catch an amazing lunch-time talk by Mimi Hughes, school teacher from Tennessee and author of the book “Wider Than a Mile,” which chronicles her historic 1,770-mile swim down the Danube River in 87 days, in order to create awareness of environmental issues facing our rivers and our planet.

Walk back to the High School because you won't want to miss the award-winning film,  Xmas Without China, a humorous look at how one American family accepts the challenge of living a month without the ubiquitous “Made In China” label on anything they purchase or use in their home. The film was the brainchild of Chinese immigrant Tom Xia, who moved to the United States as a boy and wanted to explore the material relationship between his new home and his native one. He unfolds an improbable relationship between two families living side by side but worlds apart. Tom, his parents, and the director of the film, Alicia Dwyer, will be available for questions after the film.

The film festival will wrap up on Saturday night at Town Hall with an awards ceremony and party. For the first time, the festival will be giving awards, designed by the world-renowned local Julian artist James Hubbell, for People’s Choice, Best Documentary, Best Short and others so come and vote for your favorite films! Beer and wine from local boutique breweries and wineries, as well as a buffet dinner from Granny's Kitchen and various desserts, will be available for sale as you enjoy the music of Grand Canyon Sundown.

Check out the films, the film schedule and reserve your tickets in advance at www.JulianFilmFestival.com

View a trailer here: Film Festival Promo/Intro

Update 2019:  The Julian Film Festival is no longer being held, however you can still find information on it here:  https://streamingmoviesright.com/blog/julian-film-festival/


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