Thursday, May 14, 2015

Video short film "The Fisherman's Son: The Spirit of Ramon Navarro" by Chris Malloy




Watch "The Fisherman's Son: The Spirit of Ramon Navarro" (28 minutes, 2015) Born and raised at Punta de Lobos in Chile, Ramón Navarro found his passion riding the biggest waves on the planet. But his accomplishments in giant surf are just one part of a bigger vision to protect the culture and environment of the Chilean coast. Ramon Navarro, a third-generation subsistence fisherman and farmer who lives on the coast of Chile at Punta Lobos, learned to surf on a busted surfboard left by a visiting surfer. Since then he has become one of the top-ten big wave riders. He has used his surfing accomplishments to protect his home break, and he is admired around the world as an environmental activist: he fights resort development on the point, the building of pulp mills along on the coast, and sewage pipes that pollute the ocean off Pichilemu, Chile.

Director/Writer Chris Malloy created the film and book "The Fisherman’s Son", which focuses on Ramon’s rise to big wave fame and how Ramon is using that notoriety to make his voice heard on activism issues. Contributors to the book include Gerry Lopez, Josh Berry, and Jack Johnson. Part of the proceeds to the book and film will be used to support Ramon’s environmental efforts.

Punta de Lobos por Siempre / Protect The Point Forever + Save The Waves campaign with Patagonia

Watch their 1 minute CrowdFund VIDEO (for donating)

Watch on Vimeo high resolution video "The Fisherman's Son"

Watch "The Fisherman's Son" on the Patagonia Channel "The New Localism"

"The Fisherman's Son" by Chris Malloy
Director of Photography by August Thurmer
Surf Cinematography by Dave Homcy and Scott Soens
Edited by George Manzanilla
Featuring music by Todd Hannigan and other artists
Watch film for full credits








Monday, March 2, 2015

Video short animation: "Vagabond" directed by Pedro Ivo Carvalho



Watch "Vagabond" (7:28 min, 2015)
Dio is a homeless man who lives with his dog, Loppe, in a giant train city. While Dio is a slow and calm person, all the average citizens are living their lives in a constant rush.One morning Loppe is taken by the trash collector, forcing Dio to start a chase throughout the city. As he struggles to save his only friend, Dio ends up defying the very nature of the city, and its relentless way of moving forward. A 2015 Student film from The Animation Workshop in Viborg, Denmark. Watch on YouTube Link and Vimeo Link
Filmmaker's Website
Credits and Making of Process including concept art and videos
Behind The Scenes


Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Video short animation "Broken: Rock, Paper, Scissors" directed by Garrett O'Neal, Gang Maria Yi and Bryan Locantore




Watch "Broken: Rock, Paper, Scissors" (4:33 minutes, 2014) animated fantasy short film. When Rock (Earth) first sees Paper (Mother Nature), it's love at first sight. But when the wrath of Scissors (Metal industrialization) threatens the well-being of Paper, then Rock wants to save what he loves most, no matter the cost. Student animated short film, produced at Ringling College of Art and Design.
Directed and Written by:
Garrett O'Neal
Gang Maria Yi
Bryan Locantore
Music by Erez Koskas







Image Credits: Garrett O'Neal, Gang Maria Yi and Bryan Locantore 





Sunday, November 23, 2014

Video short animation "Nebula" directed by Camille Andre, Marion Bulot, Clément Doranlo, Myriam Fourati, Jonghyun Jungboix, Alexis Kerjosse, Sarah Simon







Watch "Nebula" (vimeo) and (YouTube) On a mountain, in the forest, a young girl encounters a mysterious presence. / Dans une forêt en montagne, une petite fille fait une mystérieuse rencontre.

Student film made at Gobelins l'école de l'image
Directors / Réalisateurs : Camille Andre, Marion Bulot, Clément Doranlo, Myriam Fourati, Jonghyun Jungboix, Alexis Kerjosse, Sarah Simon


Image Credits: Camille Andre, Marion Bulot, Clément Doranlo, 
Myriam Fourati, Jonghyun Jungboix, Alexis Kerjosse, Sarah Simon






Friday, November 21, 2014

Video short animation " "L3.0" directed by Alexis Decelle



Watch "L3.0" (vimeo) and YouTube (4:38 minutes, 2014 science fiction) Leo, a Hi-Tech ‘pet’ robot, wanders alone in Paris following the mysterious disappearance of nearly all living species. He spends his days trying to entertain himself but to no avail. Then one day he meets a new living being ... /  Léo, robot de compagnie Hi-Tech, erre seul à Paris suite à la mystérieuse disparition de toute espèce vivante. Il passe ses journées à essayer de se distraire mais en vain. Jusqu’au jour où il fait la rencontre d’un nouvel être vivant …

ISART DIGITAL 2014 Grand Jury Prize

Director: Alexis Decelle
Director of Photography: Alexandre Archenoult
Director of Photography 1st Assistant: Cyril Declercq
3D Special Effects and Animation by:
Alexis Decelle, Cyril Declercq, Vincent Defour, Pierre Jury
Music and Sound Design:
Maxime Ferrieu, Victor Battaglia, Nicolas De Ferran, Rémi Haentjens



Image Credits by the filmmakers





Video short films by Phil Ives "Tribal Journeys 2014 to Bella Bella and the QATUWAS FESTIVAL" + "Malahat Nation: First Nations Land Management" + "The Story of Cedar: Cowichan Workshop" + "Harold Joe, Cowichan Carver, Totem Pole for M'akola Housing, Duncan BC" + "Herb Rice, Cowichan Coast Salish Native Pacific Northwest, Master Carver" + "Harvey George: Fishing Boat Carver"



Watch "Tribal Journeys 2014 to Bella Bella and the QATUWAS FESTIVAL" 
On July 4th, 2014 the Kw'umut Lelum and Malahat Nation Canoe Family left from Brown's Bay Vancouver Island to make their way to Bella Bella and the 2014 Tribal Journeys Qatuwas Festival. 

As they follow the ancient water routes traveled by their their ancestors, they are welcomed to each nation's traditional lands with ceremony and protocols. The return to Bella Bella was a memorable journey not only for the youth, but also for many Elders as they traveled through pristine waters and remote locations to the lands of the Heiltsuk Nation where the first Tribal Journeys gathering took place over 25 years ago.


Watch "Malahat Nation: First Nations Land Management" 
(10 minutes, December 2014)

Website for Málexet Nation / Malahat Nation

The People of the Warm Land Shhweenustham 'u tu Quw'utsun Hwulmuhw, in the Cowichan Region of B.C. Canada, is a story told through a series of short films by filmmaker Phil Ives.
 
Watch "The Story of Cedar: Cowichan Workshop"
(29:16 minutes, 2012) From the moment of birth, to the time of passing, cedar has traditionally played a vital role in the life of the First People of the Pacific Northwest. This 30min documentary tells the story of cedar, how the bark is stripped from the cedar tree and prepared for cedar weaving (hats) and discusses the art of cedar weaving and the affect this workshop had on the participants. Project was facilitated by Maria Sampson. The video was produced by Louise McMurray and the Cowichan Aboriginal Film Festival and directed, shot and edited by Phil Ives.

Watch "Harold Joe, Cowichan Carver, Totem Pole for M'akola Housing, Duncan BC"
(17:44 minutes, 2011) Harold Joe, Cowichan Carver of Totem Poles, discusses the planning, designing and carving of the pole including symbolism, animal totems and healing in his creations. Video: See the pole being moved with commentary by George Rice

Watch "Herb Rice, Cowichan Coast Salish Native Pacific Northwest, Master Carver"
(26:25 minutes, 2012) An interview with Herb Rice, a Coast Salish Native Indian Artist from the Pacific Northwest, is a Master Wood Carver whose work is in private collections all over the world. Herb discussed style, knives, history and technique during this 26 min documentary.

Watch "Harvey George: Fishing Boat Carver"
(5:32 minutes, 2013) A 5 minute video interview with Elder Harvey George model fishing boat carver from Duncan, BC. 12 of his carved boats are located in the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre.



Saturday, November 15, 2014

Video short film "Interstate" directed by Camille Stochitch






Watch "Interstate" (19:57 min) 2013 award-winning, American Film Institute Student Thesis short film. In Los Angeles California, Joaquin is a 40 year old driving instructor struggling to survive in a city where he arrived years ago as an undocumented worker. In order to buy the house of his dreams and finally settle down, he navigates between a small illegal business and his daily routine. With his business partner Lalo, he helps new immigrants get their drivers licenses in Utah, a State that does not require a US Social Security Number to take a driver's test. When Joaquin is confronted by ICE  (Homeland Security Investigations), he realizes his fate might be compromised forever.

Joaquín es un profesor de manejo que enseña a inmigrantes ilegales a manejar, llevándolos hasta Utah para que reciban su licencia en un estado donde no se requiere cédula. Un día, después de su clase con Nayeli, una estudiante que captiva su atención, un agente Nacional aparece en su puerta. Joaquín debe ayudar al agente arrestar a Lalo, su jefe, en el próximo intercambio, o ira a la cárcel. ¿Salvará a los inmigrantes que ha estado ayudando o a sí mismo?


Writer/Director: Camille Stochitch 

Video short film "Bayou Water Runs In Our Veins" by Bayou Grace and Varisco







Watch "Bayou Water Runs In Our Veins" (13:15 minutes 2014 short film) "For hundreds of years, residents of coastal Louisiana have relied upon the natural tropical storm and hurricane protections provided by its environment. Barrier islands provided a first line of defense helping to break up waves produced by storms. Mile upon mile of coastal wetlands served as a second line of defense helping to absorb storm surge and provide much needed friction to slow winds. Communities were built along a third line of defense–natural ridges, the high ground along bayous built up by the deposition of river sediments. Land loss has nearly stolen these protections, forcing residents to rely almost solely on manmade protections which are often not up to the task." ~ Bayou Grace 

Music by Zachary Richard

Bayou Grace  and Mission/History

Article: "Bayou Water Runs In Our Veins" by Captain Wendy Wilson-Billiot

Thanks to +Capt John Swallow

Image Credit: Rocky McKeon
requested by






Thursday, November 6, 2014

Video short film "A Better Tomorrow" by Mitsuyo Miyazaki, from The "Life Is Amazing" Short Film Series






Watch "A Better Tomorrow" (12:13 min , 2013 science-fiction) In the near future when water is scarce, Shin and Myra, two orphans following in their scientist father's footsteps, develop a technology that could turn the tides of time and heal the earth. But when dark forces kidnap them in an attempt to steal their father's invention, the device is mistakenly activated and a mysterious power unleashed. While trying to escape their captors, they are magically transported on a voyage out of this world. ( Vimeo viewing link ) ( YouTube viewing link

Written and Directed by Mitsuyo Miyazaki
Video: About the director's vision
Video: Production Diary

Music by Simon Webster

The "Life Is Amazing" Short Film Series












Sunday, September 14, 2014

Video Movie 'SOLD" + Interview with Lisa Kristine (Humanitarian Photographer) + Native American Women Speak on Human Trafficking + Documentary "In Plain Sight" (the story of Human Trafficking in the USA)



(2016) Watch "SOLD" interview with Lisa Kristine, Humanitarian Photographer"
The documentary interviews Lisa Kristine and shares her experiences as she photo-captures images that expose the spectre of modern-day slavery. A mother and artist, some of Lisa's experiences as a photographer include crawling through mine shafts in Ghana, posing as a woman for sale on the streets of Washington DC, and entering brothels in India to meet and secretly photograph workers. More than 28 million people are enslaved today, working for no pay under the threat of violence, in every country and on every continent. Website for feature film "SOLD"
Watch movie Trailer on vimeo for "SOLD"  and on YouTube from Oscar-winning Director Jeffrey Brown, Executive Producer Emma Thompson and Producer Jane Charles.

VIDEOs: Native American / First Nation's Women Speak on Human Trafficking (of First Nations / Native American women):
Prostitution and Trafficking of Native Women with Cinnamon Quale

FLETC Human Trafficking Video - Native American

Sex Trafficking: Perspective from the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre

Native Women Speak at Men Against Human Trafficking Meeting

Native American Trafficking

Native Hope at Sturgis Rally to Combat Sex Trafficking


Watch full documentary "In Plain Sight" Human Trafficking in the USA 
Segment One
Segment Two
Segment Three
Executive produced and narrated by Natalie Grant and released into stores nationwide by Word Films in 2014, the feature-length documentary features six modern-day abolitionists as they fight sex trafficking across America. Journeying to six US cities, the documentary opens the viewer’s eyes to what’s happening down the street “in plain sight”. Through engaging interviews with numerous victims of sex trafficking, the force, coercion, and deception of the children and women becomes apparent. In the midst of the darkness, stories of hope and freedom emerge as each survivor shares how she was impacted through the work of a sex trafficking aftercare home.

HUMANITARIAN PHOTOGRAPHY on Slavery and Human Trafficking:
Watch TED Talk"Photos That Bear Witness to Modern Slavery: Lisa Kristine"
Watch Wisdom 2.0 Lecture: "Reflections on Presence from Ancient Cultures: Lisa Kristine"
Lisa Kristine, Photography Books on Human Slavery and Human Trafficking
Watch "One Breath" Book Trailer
Watch "Slavery" Book Trailer
Watch documentary Trailer: "#standwithme" by Stillmotion





Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Video short film "The SAND STORM 沙尘暴" directed by Jason Wishnow







"THE SAND STORM 沙尘暴 " (9:22 min 2014) Communications lines dissolve, and a water smuggler navigates a tumultuous, dystopian city on the brink - in this lyrical “low-fi sci-fi” tour through a bleak future ... setting the stage for more to come. This film was made in China and stars in order of appearance Ai WeiWei (艾未未), Hu JiaNing (胡珈宁), Li Ning (李宁) and Bai Yao (白瑶)

Directed by Jason Wishnow

This film was partially funded by a Kickstarter campaign 

TED Talks