2008 EcoFocus Short Films

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Awards | Titles | Synopses

EcoFocus Shorts Competition

Over 50 entries were submitted to the inaugural EcoFocus Short Film Competition. A jury of talented local and national filmmakers selected the winning film. Audiences will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite EcoFocus short film to generate an EcoFocus Audience Favorite Award to be announced on closing night.

The winner of the juried EcoFocus Shorts Competition will receive the first "Ecothena" award created by local artist Stan Mullins. Composed of recycled wood, metal, and glass, the Ecothena statuette displays the goddess Athena protectively cradling Mother Earth in a forward-charging stance. The conception of the Ecothena Award involved combining elementary aspects of recycling, sustainability, global rebirth, and hope, as well as the inherent nobility of human concern for our environment. She was designed collectively by Daniel Aguar, Stan Mullins and Sara Beresford.

C. David Aguar Award for Excellence in Environmental Cinematography

This award will honor a short film for its excellence in environmental cinematography, and will be announced on closing night. EcoFocus is grateful to David's family, friends and colleagues for their support of this award. We are particularly grateful for the financial support provided by Danna Lea.

About Dave Aguar

Charles "David" Aguar was drawn to photography from the age of 5 when his father bought him his first camera. He started shooting 8 millimeter at age 13 and by 16 was directing and shooting multi-media stage light shows. For fifteen years, David owned his own production company in his hometown of Athens, Georgia, allowing him to take on many roles as Director, Producer, Editor, and, his true passion, Director of Photography. David started out working on music projects for groups like REM and Widespread Panic. He worked on many Turner Network projects before coming on board full time with Turner Studios' Film and Video Unit in 1996.

After 22 years as a Director of Photography, David developed his photography skills in a variety of styles, from low and high tech, large productions and in-the-field location shoots. David had a creative eye for determining exactly what technique of shooting, lighting, and directing is best for each particular project. David passed away in 2006 at the age of 55 while doing what he loved in his work as a cinematographer for Turner Studios, in a place he loved, the Appalachian Mountains. He was, above all things, a great father, a loving friend, and devoted son and brother. He was known for his endless curiosity, adventurous spirit, love of life, and ceaseless dedication to everything he did. His dream was to make the world a better place by documenting environmental causes and community service issues. He was recognized for his work by two Emmy awards and was recently nominated for a third for his work on TBS "Storyline" Pathfinders program.

Film Synopses

EcoFocus Shorts Block A (80 min.)
Screens at 7:00 p.m. Friday and 11:00 a.m. Sunday. Join the winning filmmakers for a discussion after the Sunday morning screening.

Common Scents (Canada, 2007, 3 min.)
A tale of lust, greed, and the overwhelming desire to smell good. Directed and produced by Steve Whitehouse.

Charcoal Traffic (Somalia/Kenya, 2008, 7 min.)
Charcoal Traffic is the story of two brothers trapped in a murderous cycle of environmental and cultural devastation in Somalia. The first fictional film shot in Somalia in over 15 years, Charcoal Traffic was filmed entirely on location in northern Somalia featuring a local cast with no previous acting experience. Directed by Nathan Collett. Co-produced by Nathan Collett and Jim Lindsay.

Free the River Park (USA, 2008, 15 min.)
Schuylkill River Park is designed to provide the community with an outstanding quality of life amid the concrete walls of the city. The park is destined to become Philadelphia 's premier recreational respite until a decades-old freight line stonewalls its access. This is a story of a community's determination to rebuke belligerent big business, which proves to be no match against the power of the people. Directed and produced by Tara Nurin.

Living on the Edge (USA, 2008, 8 min.)
A blend of the personal stories of Marcia Seifert and Phyllis Bonfield, whose house is perched on the edge of a crumbling cliff, and the science behind the natural process of erosion, Living on the Edge is an entertaining and educational introduction to the power of Mother Nature and the drive of human innovation. Directed and produced by Erik Subrizi, Heather Danskin, Katie Kassof, and Scott Kutler.

Melting Ice, Rising Seas (USA, 2007, 7 min.)
The rising temperatures of global climate change are melting the world's ice. Travel to the glaciers of Greenland and to fossilized coral reefs of the Florida Keys, where earth scientists are studying geologic records of past warming to predict future ice loss and associated sea level rise. Produced as an American Museum of Natural History Science Bulletin. Directed by Vivian Trakinski and produced by Tania van Bergen.

Mundo Caliente (USA, 2008, 4 min.)
Mundo Caliente explores the industrial world's seductive and frenzied dance with fossil fuels. It incorporates sizzling Latin music, passionate paintings, and provocative documentary footage. Directed and produced by Bob Barancik.

Justicia Now! (Ecuador, 2007, 31 min.)
Over the past 43 years, ChevronTexaco has intentionally spilled over 10 times the amount of oil in and around Lago Agrio, Ecuador than was lost in the Exxon Valdez disaster and yet not one drop has been cleaned up. An area of pristine rainforest the size of Rhode Island has been devastated and one tribe of indigenous indians has been wiped out. For those remaining natives, water supplies are completely contaminated and serious health issues such as cancer, leukemia, birth defects and skin disease run rampant. ChevronTexaco's attitude towards this has been a combination of strong-armed intimidation and complete denial. Starring 2008 Goldman Environmental Prize Winners Pablo Fajardo and Luis Yanza. Directed and produced by Robbie Proctor and Martin O'Brien.

EcoFocus Shorts Block B (80 min.)
Screens at 1:00 p.m Friday and 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Bronx River Restoration (USA, 2006, 7 min.)
New York City's Bronx River, once a drinking water source and habitat for abundant wildlife, has become blighted from urbanization. Watch conservation teams coax new life into the Bronx River as they restock it with native fish, lay down oyster beds, and remove invasive species along its shores. Produced as an American Museum of Natural History Science Bulletin. Directed by Vivian Trakinski and produced by Tania van Bergen.

Puffing Away (Canada, 2006, 3 min.)
Our gremlins of energy over-consumption hit a hyperactive high in this head-nodding short, featuring music from Wagon Christ. Directed and produced by Isaac King.

Attack of the Sea Slugs (USA, 2008, 6 min.)
Orange sea pens bring color to the cold stark landscape of the subtidal sand flats of the Puget Sound. Although these sand flats appear desolate, hiding in wait is a creature with an acquired taste for sea pens. Directed and produced by Champ Williams.

Trouble in the Tropics: Invasive Lionfish (USA, 2008, 19 min.)
The invasive lionfish--venomous and voracious--has reached the tropical western Atlantic, where its reproductive rate is soaring. Fighting against time and tide, researchers from the US, the Bahamas, and Bermuda team up to understand this invader and attempt to control the invasion. Directed and produced by Lyn Gerner.

The Last Wild Horse: The Return of Takhi to Mongolia (USA, 2008, 6 min.)
The Takhi, also known as Przewalski's horse, is the last surviving horse species that has never been domesticated. This film depicts the emotional reintroduction of the Takhi to their last known home range in Mongolia's Gobi desert. The Takhi serves as an important case study for conservation biologists who struggle to support the viability of thousands of species on the verge of extinction. Produced as an American Museum of Natural History Science Bulletin. Directed by Vivian Trakinski and produced by Tania van Bergen.

Forest to Desert (Canada, 2008, 2 min.)
Forest to Desert is an audio doodle about this phrase: "Humankind is preceded by forest, and followed by desert." This short 'audiofilm' was inspired by the Third Coast Festival's 2008 audio challenge. ShortDocs Winner, 2008 Third Coast International Audio Festival. Written, directed and produced by Sarah Boothroyd.

Ladies of the Land (USA, 2007, 30 min.)
As small family farms continue to disappear from the American landscape, a new kind of farmer is growing: women. "Ladies of the Land" tells the tales of four women who never thought they'd be farmers, but today dedicate their lives to growing and grazing - as part of a national movement to put more organic, local foods on America's tables. Directed and produced by Megan Thompson.

Special Screening (24 min.)

Myakka River State Park (USA, 2008, 24 min.)
This park is one of Florida's oldest parks and at 37,000 acres, one of the largest. This film, shot in HD, is a diary of the year 2007. It begins with daybreak and follows the interaction of sandhill cranes with one particular red-winged blackbird. As the 'day' progresses, other animals interact with the beautiful scenery to give the viewer a glimpse into their lives. Natural sounds and the lush soundtrack composed by the filmmaker provide the only narration. Directed and produced by Darryl Saffer. This film was submitted for the EcoFocus Shorts Competition and will be shown in a continuous loop at the closing night reception on Sunday evening.

EcoKids Shorts Program (70 min.)
Screens at 3:00 p.m. Friday and 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The EcoKids Shorts Program will be fun for kids of all ages from 3 to adult. Films suited to the youngest age-group (3-6) appear early in the program, with films becoming more appropriate for older children and early teens as the program progresses. Parents are welcome to entertain younger children in the Ciné Lab area while they wait for older children to finish the program.

Warming (USA, 2007, 5 min.)
In a lyrical and visually contemplative manner, Warming focuses on the interconnected nature of the ecosystems and societies in which we live, it explores the causes and effects of global warming across the planet through an ever-shifting montage of painted watercolor images. Directed by Colleen MacIsaac.

Rita (USA, 2006, 6 min.)
A true story about Alison, a seven-year-old girl who has been dragged around the world by her adventure travel guide/photographer/yoga-teaching parents and longs to be a kid and stay in one place long enough to have friends and go to school with children her own age. By Alison Teal Blehert-Koehn.

Papiroflexia (USA, 2007, 3 min.)
An origami tale of a skillful paper folder who could shape the world with his hands. Winner of multiple awards, including Best Animated Short Film at the 2008 Cinequest Film Festival. Directed by Joaquin Baldwin.

Wonder Water Web (USA, 2005, 6 min.)
Through poetic narration and vibrant flowing animation, Wonder Water Web carries its voyager on a nautical journey from a drop in the clouds to the depth of the seas. This tribute to the oceans raises awareness about the relationship between humans and the seas while playfully inspiring an appreciation for the interconnectedness of life. A film by Roger Blonder.

Ride of the Mergansers (USA, 2006, 11 min.)
The Hooded Merganser is a rare and reclusive duck found only in North America. Just 24 hours after hatching in a nest perched high in the trees, the tiny ducklings must make the perilous leap to the ground below to begin life in the wild. This age-old rite is rarely observed by humans. This film is a heartwarming blend of natural history, humor, and suspense. You'll be entertained, educated, and inspired - and leave with a newfound appreciation of the phrase 'leap of faith.' Directed by Steve Furman.

Water Detectives (Canada, 2007, 11 min.)
Local conservation efforts can have far-reaching results. This lesson is made concrete through the experience of youth in Matamoros, Mexico, where a severe water shortage led the city to take the unusual step of putting local children in charge of changing adult attitudes and habits. Thousands of schoolchildren were enlisted as "water detectives" - educated in concepts of water conservation, and encouraged to discuss the importance of proper water usage with adults. Directed by David Springbett, Produced by Tracey Friesen.

Fisheye Fantasea (Fiji/France/UK, 2007, 8 min.)
To understand a world not designed for human eyes, we need to see it from a different point of view. Invisible colors, eye metamorphosis, secret wavelengths and vision beyond anything we can perceive; how they see, what they see and the astonishing discovery that in their world, we're virtually blind. Fisheye Fantasea is a dive deep into the fishes eyes and a groundbreaking revelation about what they really see. A film by Liquid Motion Film Directed by Guy Chaumette and produced by Anita Chaumette. Music by Luciano Stort.

Bottled or Tap Water? (USA, 2008, 5 min.)
A selection from the EcoFocus Short Film Competition, this is a "Made in Maine" video made as a class project for second graders. The choice of supporting tap water infrastructure instead of consuming bottled water is a personal decision that has a very large impact and is something that each person can do to decrease carbon footprints. Directed by Martha Spiess.

Plain Ride Penn (USA, 2008, 12 min.)
A selection from the EcoFocus Short Film Competition, Plain Ride Penn is a documentary about a 15-year-old girl who single handedly rids her school of all polystyrene food trays and plastic sporks. It is about the environment, overcoming challenge and how the power of one person can make a difference through determination and the will to do what feels right. Directed by Kyia Clayton, Produced by Kyia Clayton and John Trusso.

EcoFocus River Shorts (71 min.)
Screens Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and Sunday at 6:30 p.m. The Saturday morning screening will be immediately followed by a discussion with Dan Aguar, local filmmaker, and other Athens residents active in the Greenway project, including Dick Field and Al Ike.

Bronx River Restoration (USA, 2006, 7 min.)
New York City's Bronx River, once a drinking water source and habitat for abundant wildlife, has become blighted from urbanization. Watch conservation teams coax new life into the Bronx River as they restock it with native fish, lay down oyster beds, and remove invasive species along its shores. Produced as an American Museum of Natural History Science Bulletin. Directed by Vivian Trakinski and produced by Tania van Bergen.

Free the River Park (USA, 2008, 15 min.)
Schuylkill River Park is designed to provide the community with an outstanding quality of life amid the concrete walls of the city. The park is destined to become Philadelphia 's premier recreational respite until a decades-old freight line stonewalls its access. This is a story of a community's determination to rebuke belligerent big business, which proves to be no match against the power of the people. Directed and produced by Tara Nurin.

Six Feet Deeper (USA, 2008, 14 min.)
Directed by Dylan Siniscalchi. Written by Embry Rodgers. Director of Photography Aram Kaplan, Edited and produced by Jacob Hill. First place winner of the 2008 Gray's Reef Ocean Film Festival Emerging Filmmakers Student Competition.

Saving a River: Savannah River Pollution (USA, 2008, 12 min.)
Directed by David Tapper. Director of Photography and producer Marc Casey. Written by Matt Giordano. Edited by Lawrence Duane. Second place winner of the 2008 Gray's Reef Ocean Film Festival Emerging Filmmakers Student Competition.

North Oconee River Greenway Project (USA, 2008, 20 min.)
This documentary traces the progression of a local restoration project, from the visionary inspiration of one man to the collective efforts of an entire community. The North Oconee River Greenway Project reveals the current state of the Greenway and powerfully illustrates that restoration is an ongoing process that urgently demands daily action and attention. Directed, photographed and produced by Charles, Berdina, Richard, David, Kenneth and Daniel Aguar. Associate producer: Kamala Lyons.

2008 Short Film Competition Jurors

Larry Engel
Larry is a producer, writer, director, and cinematographer with nearly 30 years of documentary filmmaking experience spanning all seven continents. He's flown into hurricanes, been chased by tornadoes and dropped into ice caves. He's fled wildfires, gotten lost in jungles, stranded in Antarctica, and spent three years traveling the globe to come face-to-face with a lot of mummies. Larry has been honored with a host of nominations and awards, including a Daytime Emmy for Best Cinematography, a AAAS-Westinghouse Science Journalism Award for excellence in science writing for television, and the Mountain Spirit award from Mountainfilm in Telluride. He's a member of the Writers Guild of America, the Director's Guild of America and the University Film and Video Association. Mountaineering, mountain biking, scuba diving and skiing are among his favorite activities. He was adjunct professor of film at Columbia University's film division in the School of the Arts, where he had taught since 1976. He also taught at Barnard College. In 2003, he received a Columbia University Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching. He helped establish Panasonic Kid Witness News, a world-wide outreach program that empowers disadvantaged youth to use new technology to explore their world.

Kamala Lyons
Kamala has been involved in the production and promotion of independent film projects in the Athens area for over ten years, most recently as the co-founder & director of FilmAthens, hosting community screening events with the AthFest Music and Arts Festival, the Athens Area Arts Council, and the Atlanta Film Festival; and as the director of Athens TeenScreen, a collaborative filmmaking workshop project for local teens.

Erica McCarthy
Erica is an accidental Southerner. Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1965, she moved with her family to Athens, Georgia when she was 8. As a high school foreign exchange student in Copenhagen, Denmark, she immersed herself in film studies at the Danish Film Institute. Returning to the United States, she attended the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications, where in 1988 her project People Who Live To Dance, was nominated for a Student Academy Award. Her documentary work continued with features for Georgia Public Television. She has worked extensively in music videos for world-famous musical acts such as REM, B-52's, Cheap Trick, Vic Chesnutt and They Might Be Giants. She has worked in high-end post production at Atlanta's Video Tape Associates and has worked in all production capacities for the major television networks, as well as in Europe and Mexico. In 1996, she received an Emmy for her work with Bob Costas on NBC's coverage of the Centennial Olympic Games. That same year, she formed Nowhere Productions in Athens, Georgia in order to pursue her passion for personality-driven documentary filmmaking with a distinctively Southern flavor. Nowhere Productions is a full-service production house based in Athens, Georgia with a satellite office in Austin, Texas.

Jim McKay
Jim McKay is a filmmaker and co-founder, along with Michael Stipe, of C-Hundred Film Corp. His films as a writer/director include Girls Town, Our Song, Everyday People , and Angel Rodriguez . As a producer, McKay has worked on  American Movie, Spring Forward, Stranger Inside, Sleepy Time Gal, La Boda, Escuela, Brother to Brother , and Room .

Jennifer Smith
Jennifer is a filmmaker and an Assistant Professor of Telecommunications at the University of Georgia, where she teaches narrative and documentary production. Her work has garnered numerous awards, screened at U.S. and international film festivals, and broadcast on cable networks such as HBO, Showtime Australia, The Sundance Channel, and BSkyB. Smith worked for Dreamchaser Productions in Dublin, Ireland on such projects as U2's Zooropa Tour, and with Caravan Pictures, now Spyglass Entertainment, on feature films such as Rush Hour. Smith is Executive Producer on the soon to be released feature, The Secret of Moonacre, starring Dakota Blue Richards, Ioan Gruffudd, and Tim Curry. She is a member of The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and is a strong supporter of non-profit human rights and environmental organizations.

Michelle Williams
Michelle is a producer at VideoTakes, Inc, a documentary production company recognized for its award-winning environmental films on a wide array of topics.  Michelle holds a Masters of Fine Arts in Film and Electronic Media from the Center for Environmental Filmmaking at American University, where she produced several environmental documentaries including her two-part thesis project Restoring Dyke Marsh and Cutting-Edge Conservation: Science at the Smithsonian.   An undergraduate degree in Ecology from the University of Georgia contributes to Michelle's passion for environmental filmmaking - a passion she continues to pursue and learn more about every day.  She strives to tell the exciting stories of the natural world through film, and fervently believes in portraying the science in accurate and innovative ways.