Saturday Film Program

For Saturday we have teamed up with local nonprofits and businesses to show 12 short films over the course of the afternoon. The films cover a lot of ground, from a story about a Kansas farmer improving his farm’s resilience to drought through regenerative agricultural practices, to a lighthearted animated orchestra describing the sleep-cycle of hibernating animals. This film festival brings together a series of diverse stories that remind us all of our deep connection to the places we love and why we work to create positive change in our communities. We can't wait to share these stories with you!

Imagination | 4 min. | Steve Henderson

Sponsored by Flockworks

We’ve all been that kid sitting in the back seat of our family car, wishing we were somewhere else. Watch day dreams come to life as the driveway snow piles, sidewalk handrails and stair sets start to tease our inner skier.

Blue Carbon | 6 min. | Benjamin Drummond

Sponsored by Redwood Forest Foundation Inc.

"Blue carbon" is carbon that's captured and stored by coastal wetlands, helping to mitigate climate change. This film is about mud and the multiple benefits that estuaries provide for us.

Mountain Yellow-Legged Frogs | 8 min. | Steven Bumgardner

Sponsored by Mendo Litho

Once the most abundant vertebrate in the Sierra Nevada, mountain yellow-legged frog populations plummeted with the introduction of non-native fish. A story of unintended consequences.

During the Drought | 12 min. | Chrisna Byck

Sponsored by Thanksgiving Coffee

A Kansas Farmer, Michael Thompson, regenerates his soils with no-till, cover-crops and Adaptive Multi-Paddock (AMP) grazing - giving his farm resilience during the severe 2011 and 2012 droughts.

Biomimicry | 21 min. | Leila Conners

Sponsored by Stanford Inn by the Sea

Biomimicry is the practice of looking deeply into nature for solutions to engineering, design and other challenges. This film shows how mimicking nature could solve some of our most pressing problems.

Blue Ventures | 6 min. | Gabriel Diamond

Sponsored by Noyo Center for Marine Science

In 2004, frustrated by failed marine conservation efforts, marine biologist Alasdair Harris encouraged a coastal Madagascar community to close off a small section of their octopus-fishing area. A few months later, the community saw huge increases in their catch and incomes.

A Letter to Congress | 3 min. | Dalia Burde

Sponsored by Mendo Parks

Wallace Stegner’s 1960 letter to Congress about the importance of wilderness.

L’orchestre D’hibernation Animaux | 5 min. | Tom McNamara

Sponsored by Mendocino Woodlands Camp Association

What if hibernating animals of different species formed an orchestra and performed a symphony about their winter’s sleep? Well, they did—sort of. Because this is the science version of “Peter and the Wolf,” starring a frog, a turtle, a bird, a mosquito, a bear, and a fish… Ladies and gentlemen, “The Sleep Cycle” by L’orchestre D’hibernation Animaux.

For the Love of Mary | 6 min. | Kirk Horton

Sponsored by Mendocino Film Festival

First-time 97-year-old runner, George Etzweiler, completed the race up the northeast's tallest peak, Mount Washington, when he was 69 years old. In addition to his ancient, lucky, green running shorts, Etzweiler carries something else special with him: The memory of his late wife of 68 years, Mary.

The Nature of Maps | 10 min. | Tahria Sheather

Sponsored by Visit Mendocino County

Marty Schnure and Ross Donihue are modern day pioneers: roaming some of the world’s last remaining wild lands to create maps to help conserve these precious places. Through their project with conservationist Kris Tompkins and Conservacion Patagonica to map the new Patagonia Park in Chile, The Nature of Maps explores the integral role maps play in conservation, adventure and our understanding of wild places.

Our Last Trash | 20 min. | Joanne Yue

Sponsored by Zero Waste Mendo

The film highlights the current global recycling crisis and the adverse effects of disposable plastics on the environment. Our Last Trash explores the meaning of a "zero waste" lifestyle, and how some individuals are combating this plastic issue one reusable item at a time.

(unofficial) History of the National Parks | 4 min. | Ryan Maxey

Sponsored by Pacific Environmental Education Center

The complete story of the National Parks in under four minutes. Hold on to your seats!