Directed by:  Phyllis Stuart

In her compelling documentary, Phyllis Stuart explores African wildlife on the brink as human activity takes its toll. Humans are tied to animal welfare in ways both ethical and existential. Through interviews with a wide swath of experts from Jane Goodall to trophy hunters, the film offers a multifaceted view of African ecosystems as they relate to global animal rights, human rights, and the environment. Rampant corruption that allows poaching, the ivory trade, and the illicit bushmeat market to flourish complicates animal rights activists’ fight to save species that are nearing extinction. With passion and conviction, Wild Daze invites us to take on the role of protector in response to the widespread exploitation of our environment and the animals who call it home.

102 minutes

Mill Valley Film Festival – World Premiere

Filmmaker present

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Directed by: Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee

A wealth of wonderful archival footage accompanies the reminiscences of all three Apollo 8 astronauts as they contemplate their groundbreaking voyage, the philosophical impact the trip had on them, and one very special iconic image.

31 minutes
Screened prior to The New Environmentalists

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Directed by: Matthew Schmid

Narrated by: Leonardo DiCaprio

A collaborative effort of educators, scientists and filmmakers to produce an educational call to action film about the plight of the pollinator and what humanity can do to protect them.

15 minutes

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Directed by: John Chester

This film is a heartfelt portrait of a Los Angeles couple who flee the detritus and stress of LA for a new life managing (or attempting to manage) a farm just north of the city limits. John Chester and his food blogger wife created Apricot Lane Farms to reconnect with nature, and live an eco-friendly, sustainable lifestyle. Filmed over the course of eight years, The Biggest Little Farm joyously recounts the struggles and successes of their inspirational endeavor with none of the sort of eco-panic one might expect. Putting his professional camera skills to good use in the service of rural California’s breathtaking natural splendor, Chester creates an autobiographical scrapbook, enlisting writer Mark Monroe (The Cove), to help shape the story. What emerges is a life-affirming tale of one family who followed who followed their hearts and turned their dreams into a flourishing, sustainable reality.

91 minutes

Telluride Film Festival – World Premiere
Toronto Film Festival – People’s Choice Award
Hamptons International Film Festival – Winner – Audience Award – Best Documentary

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Directed by: Ian Bonhote

From a modest upbringing in London, Lee Alexander McQueen quickly ascended the ranks of the international fashion world. After graduating from Central Saint Martins and establishing his eponymous label, McQueen became head designer of Givenchy at age 27 and went on to win the Fashion Awards’ (then the British Fashion Show Awards) prize for British Designer of the Year four times. His theatrical runway shows and daring designs existed on the cutting edge of ‘90s fashion, his controversial confrontational work earning him equal attention from fans and detractors alike. At the same time, he also forged a friendship with the influential stylist Isabella Blow, cultivating an intimate relationship that would last until her death in 2007. As McQueen’s star rose, so did the pressure, and its accompanying anxiety, to constantly strive for ever greater heights of genius.

Through the testimonials from his closest friends and family, featuring personal archives extending back to the earliest days of his career, as well as dynamic footage of his most boundary-pushing shows and creations, McQueen offers a vivid portrait of the tortured-but-inspired auteur’s work and persona.

111 minutes

Tribeca Film Festival – Nominated – Best Documentary

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Directed by:  Susan Kucera

Narrated by:  Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges presents this beautifully photographed tour de force documentary of original thinking on who we are and the environmental challenges we face. Bridges, alongside prominent scientists and authors, weaves evolution, emergence, entropy, dark ecology, and what some are calling the end of nature, into a story that helps us understand our place among the species of Earth’s household. The film upends our way of thinking and provides original insights into our subconscious motivations, the unintended consequences, what to do about our fossil slaves, and how our fundamental animal nature influences our future as Humankind.

85 minutes

Amsterdam Film Festival – Winner – Best Documentary
Arizona International Film Festival – Winner – Special Jury Award
New Media Film Festival – Winner – Best Feature Documentary

The post Living in the Future’s Past (USA) 2018 appeared first on Tahoe Film Fest.

Directed by: Matt Tyrnauer

It’s impossible to recall late – ‘70s New York without recalling Studio 54, the legendary Manhattan night spot where celebrities (think Liza, Liz, Mick, Farrah, and Andy), socialites, and the beautiful danced, and most importantly, got seen. Located in the then-seedy part of town, it was the brainchild of Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell, two Brooklyn college-buddy entrepreneurs who, over the course of 33 months, became the kings of New York – and then lost it all.

The film skillfully tells us this one-of-a-kind story using never-before-seen footage, period music, present-day commentary by Schrager, and recollections from regulars and staff. Particularly invaluable is the testimony of the all-important gatekeeper: Marc Benecke, who, under Rubell’s command, kept the crowd outside at bay and discreetly selected who would be admitted as celebrities pulled up in taxis and limousines. Director Matt Tyrnauer explores the social climate that laid the foundation for the club’s sudden rise, the issues that led to its abrupt closure, and Schrager and Rubell’s post-Studio lives. Studio 54 takes its audiences past the velvet ropes, recalling an unforgettable place where, as Schrager put it, “you go to feel good about yourself.”

98 minutes

Sundance Film Festival – Film premiere

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Directed by:  John Antonelli, Tom Dusenbery and Will Parrinello

Narrated by:  Robert Redford

From Guatemala to the Congo – the new environmentalists share a common goal – safeguarding the Earth’s natural resourses from exploitation and pollution, while fighting for justice in their own communities. This film is the latest from an Emmy Award winning series which features inspiring portraits of six passionate and dedicated activists. These are true environmental heros who have placed themselves in harm’s way to battle intimidating adversaries while building strong grassroots support.

30 minutes
Two short films – Earthrise and Pollinators Under Pressure – will be screed prior to the film.

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Directed by: Tom Donahue

A gathering of who’s who of female actors and directors for a powerful call to action on elevating women’s roles in film and television both on and off screen. Meryl Streep, Sandra Oh, Jessica Chastain, Shonda Rhimes, Reese Witherspoon and executive producer Geena Davis are among the many powerful agents of change in the documentary.

The gender gap has become an urgent topic in recent years. But even the most jaded viewers will be taken aback by the film’s compelling evidence and anecdotes. Geena Davis (Thelma and Louise) had led groundbreaking research into Hollywood’s portrayal of women. Those damning facts become vivid through an array of iconic film clips. Even those who consider themselves informed on this topic will find fresh revelations. Fighting for change isn’t new. The film covers critical feminist filmmaker uprisings in the 1960s and ‘80s that were quelled by the status quo. Today, power dynamics are shifting as voices of dissent get louder. In the film, women testify candidly to their experiences of sexism and harassment. Hollywood has been a powerful force in shaping negative gender roles for over a century and now the industry can play a positive role in recasting those roles for a better future.

97 minutes

Toronto Film Festival – 2nd Place – People’s Choice Award

Filmmaker present

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Directed by: George Roy Hill

It’s September, 1936. The place: Joliet, Illinois. Luther Coleman, his apprentice Johnny Hooker, and their underlying Joe Erie’s latest swindle has netted them a nice amount of money, at least enough for an aged Luther to contemplate retiring from grifting. They are unaware however that the money belonged to ruthless racketeer Doyle Lonnegan, whose thugs kill Luther in retaliation. Before Luther’s death, he suggested to Hooker that he contact Henry Gondorff, his old friend in Chicago to learn the art of the big con. Hooker does contact Gondorff, who has retired after being burned in his last big con. Gondorff decides to come out of retirement solely to help Hooker get back at Lonnegan for Luther’s death. In pulling off the big con, Gondorff and Hooker require the assistance of a number of Gondorff’s old associates as well as a number of small time grifters. Beyond Lonnegan or anyone else finding out about the con, there are many obstacles in pulling off the sting, such as a controlling and overly cautious Lonnegan wanting to do things his own way, and a number of people chasing after Hooker, including a crooked Joliet vice cop named Snyder, Lonnegan’s lower level thugs and a hired hit man. Through the process, Hooker who sees himself as being a wheeler dealer, may come across a better deal than that provided to him by Gondorff.

129 minutes
Nominated for ten Academy Awards – Winner of seven
 A Documentary on the making of the film immediately following.

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