It is part of Bowen in Transition's mandate to foster a resilient and vibrant community that is ready for a post peak-oil future and is involved in averting climate change through positive, grassroots local action. Working towards that goal, the group is planning the Forward Focus Film Festival with four evenings of screenings, beginning on January 26 at the Gallery at Artisan Square. Doors open at 7, the screening starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is by donation.
Judith Dale is one of the organizers of the film series together with Kim Kasasian, Jacqueline Massey and Conrad Juraschka who are selecting films and grouping them together according to themes.
"In the Transition movement, we talk about the three Es of transition," Dale explained. "They are: the economy, ecology and energy. The films reflect those themes. We are also adding food security at the end." The first evening features films that deal with matters of the economy, says Dale, who is responsible for coordinating that part of the series.
On February 23, the theme is the environment. Waste will be the topic of the March 30 presentation and April 27 will present a look at food.
"We'll show a selection of shorter and longer films on January 26," Dale said. "The films generally show how the economy is changing. They also show alternative economic models, for instance the barter system and people who are experimenting with alternative money."
Dale explained that some of the films focus on groups that have created a neighbourhood or area-specific currency with the idea to encourage people to "spend locally."
The feature film selected for January 26 is Occupy Love, produced by Nova Ami, Ian MacKenzie and Velcrow Ripper. It was the winner of Best Canadian Feature Film, Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival 2012. MacKenzie, from the Fierce Love Project will be on Bowen to introduce the film and Velcrow Ripper will attend via Skype.
"Occupy Love and the shorter films all revolve around economic issues and how things might change," Dale said, adding that the group has been actively searching out films that have the power to inspire people to become more resourceful and resilient. "It's all about hope. We didn't want to show films that are all gloomy," she said. "It's important to look for a positive spin."
