6th GREEN FILM FESTIVAL OF SAN FRANCISCO &
20th SAN FRANCISCO SHORT FILM FESTIVAL:
Environmental Short Films Program
(Filmmakers expected to attend for live Q&A)
Ranger of the North
Inspired by his favorite novel, The Lord of the Rings, Peter Christian moved to Alaska and became a ranger with the National Park Service in 1994. He has been patrolling and protecting the vast, northern wilderness for thirty years now and has witnessed dramatic changes in that time. As he approaches retirement, he must face the reality that the wilderness and wildlife he swore to protect are suffering from a rapidly warming climate. Embarking on a deeply personal journey into the far north of Alaska, Peter looks back to the novel that inspired him and searches for hope as the world he knows melts away.
Impact: J.R.R. Tolkien's novel The Lord of the Rings and its film adaptations by Peter Jackson have become cultural touchstones, attracting and bringing together millions of fans from diverse backgrounds. More than an entertaining fantasy, The Lord of the Rings depicts a complex moral universe in which good and evil often manifest as conflicting attitudes and behaviors toward the natural world. Peter Christian is one of countless readers who have been inspired by Tolkien’s love of nature, and Peter’s story as a ranger with the National Park Service is inspiring in its own right. In “Ranger of the North,” viewers see the Alaskan wilderness through Peter’s eyes and, with him, search for hope in the midst of environmental collapse. Like The Lord of the Rings before it, “Ranger of the North” will awaken viewers to the beauty and fragility of nature and offer a fresh perspective on finding hope in troubled times.
Land Acknowledgement: “Ranger of the North” was filmed on the traditional homelands of Dene and Iñupiat peoples, who have stewarded these lands for thousands of years, and whose history and traditions the filmmakers wish to honor.
Frozen Frames: Murphy's Yellowstone
Photographer Tom Murphy has dedicated his life to speaking out for the wildlife of Yellowstone. In the dead of winter, Murphy treks deep into the Park to capture the lives and struggles of those who survive there. His remarkable photographs capture both the magnificence of Yellowstone and one man's tenacious dedication to protect what is still wild.
The Path of Puma-36
An adventurous young mountain lion’s treacherous odyssey through Northern California. Monitored with a tracking collar and trail cameras, P-36 travels over 1,400 miles in just 16 months, making his way through a dangerous mosaic of human-developed land and wild spaces as he searches to find a territory of his own.
Valley of Growth
Two women climbers, one a veteran and the other a novice, work together to reshape the climbing community in an ever evolving landscape. Within their individual journeys of personal growth, Kate Rutherford and Kiyomi James aim to close the divide between nature and humanity as they fall into their new roles of mentorship. Through their shared passions, they strive to redefine the limits of who truly belongs in Yosemite, one of the world’s most awe inspiring landmarks.
The Green Film Festival is presented by SF IndieFest, a 501c3 non-profit, that has presented over 60 film festivals over the past 27 years, acquiring a strong following with independent film fans and garnering press coverage and recognition for thousands of films and filmmakers. SF IndieFest is a founding member of the Film Festival Alliance.
The San Francisco International Festival of Short Films was launched in 2006. Since then SF Shorts has showcased incredible engaging independent films that are quick to make a statement, tell a story or express an idea. Recently this festival merged with the 28 year old San Francisco IndieFest, combining SF Shorts' curatorial vision with SF IndieFest's festival presentation expertise. This combined event now presents one week of the the best short films from around the world at an historic San Francisco art house theater.