Cinema of conscience

Published 1:00 pm Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Earth Day brings return of ‘conscientious’ film festival.

The fifth annual “Conscientious Projector: Films of Hope for the People and the Planet” coincides with Earth Day activities this year.

The series runs for two nights, from 7-11 p.m. April 22-23 at the Bainbridge High School LGI Room.

Although the event is scaled down from previous years, the spirit of the festival remains unchanged.

Festival producer Neva Welton hopes people will “come get educated and inspired and take one step – there’s no step that’s too small.”

The eight films this year discuss alternative energy, genetically engineered food, water privatization and storm water.

Welton has invited local speakers to join the discussion at intermission each night.

Members of Winslow Tomorrow have been invited for the discussion of “The Venetian Dilemma,” which looks at historic Venice in danger of losing its character through increased tourism and failing to provide for the needs of local residents.

“The bottom line is, are the people who live there really being taking care of?” Welton says, which echoes issues with which the Winslow Tomorrow project is grappling.

Welton hopes “The Future of Food” about genetically engineered foods, will spur discussion on what to do about large corporations patenting genetically modified foods, but will also address how people can support local farmers. Rebecca Slattery of Persephone Farm and other local growers will be in the audience.

Disussing locally grown food also ties into “The End of Suburbia,” to be shown Saturday night, which looks at the end of cheap oil.

As in past festivals, there will be a table set up with information about getting involved in various issues.

For, as Welton points out, “the festival has always been about being active.”

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. each evening.

April 22:

• 7:10 p.m. “Thirst” – about the dangers of water privatization

• 8:10 p.m. “Reining in the Storm: One Building at a Time” – about natural storm water management

• 8:35 p.m. Intermission and discussion

• 9 p.m. “The Future of Food” – about genetically engineered foods and alternatives to large-scale agribusiness

• 10:30 p.m. “Think Twice” – teens on the “real price-tag” of the things we buy

April 23:

7:10 p.m. “The Eco Van Comes Clean” – an animated short about alternative energy

• 7:15 p.m. “The End of Suburbia” – about the end of cheap oil

• 8:35 p.m. Intermission and discussion

• 9 p.m. “Velocity” – about wind power as alternative energy

• 9:35 p.m. “The Venetian Dilemma” – Venice’s struggle between growing tourism against a shrinking residential population lacking basic amenities

Admission is $5 each night; free for under 21. For more information, see www.kitsapcan.org.