Arts & Humanities Society & Culture

EcoFocus Film Festival 2012 dates set, call for films issued

Athens, Ga. – The fourth annual EcoFocus Film Festival will take place from March 23-31 in Athens, Ga., and is accepting film submissions until September 15, 2011.

EcoFocus, an initiative of the University of Georgia Odum School of Ecology, presents top-quality feature-length and short films addressing a wide range of environmental issues, in conjunction with special events including panel discussions, filmmaker question-and-answer sessions, and interactive opportunities for audience members.

EcoFocus is open to films of any genre or style as long as they relate to environmental topics. “We are looking for films that promote awareness, discussion and inspiration,” said EcoFocus Director Sara Beresford. “We welcome a variety of environmental subjects-climate, water, energy, agriculture/food systems, environmental restoration, green development and urban planning, biodiversity, advocacy, human impacts, lifestyle change, policy, natural resource scarcity, natural history, etc.”

Films may be submitted in one or more of three categories: Environmental Features (generally 50 minutes or more, but films between 20 and 50 minutes will be considered); Short Environmental Films (20 minutes or less); and Family Programming (any length). There is no fee to submit films for the 2012 festival. More details, including complete instructions and an online entry form, are available at http://ecofocusfilmfest.org/submit.

EcoFocus was initiated in 2008 to bring awareness of environmental issues and ecological science to an audience beyond the classroom, as part of the Odum School’s service and outreach mission. Previous editions of EcoFocus have featured world and U.S. premieres, multiple-award winning feature-length and short films, and several films that have gone on to receive Oscar nominations.

EcoFocus is made possible by the support of many individuals, organizations, foundations and sponsors from the Athens community and beyond. For more information about EcoFocus, see www.ecofocusfilmfest.org.

For more information about the Odum School of Ecology, see www.ecology.uga.edu.

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