Planet in Focus Festival Recap

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This past weekend was the 19^thannual Planet in Focus Film Festival in Toronto.

Planet in Focus is an environmental media arts organization with year-round programming. Their mandate is to produce cultural events that showcase engaging and artistic films that question, explore, and tell stories about the world in which we live. They use film as a catalyst for public awareness, discussion, and engagement on a broad range of environmental issues.

Those of you who have been here for a while know that I started Airplanes & Avocados to tell stories; stories about my adventures around the world, but more important stories of the different environmental issues I witnessed around the world.

With an end goal of one day turning these mini projects into a full-length environmental documentary, being at Planet in Focus was all the more special to an aspiring filmmaker like me. This is my second year at the festival and my absolute favourite thing about it is that I never walk away feeling doomed. Environmental issues can be tough to address from a positive standpoint, especially with crushing news like the latest IPCC Report making it seem like there is no hope for us. But the films at Planet in Focus always seem to restore store my faith in humanity and our ability to repair the damage that we’ve done. I always walk out of theatres, not weighed down by guilt or hopelessness, but uplifted with inspiration and optimism that we really can change this world for the better.

There were three films at this year’s festival that I found particularly inspiring – in fact, all three moved me to tears – that’s how well done they were.

The Woman Who Loves Giraffes – Alison Reid

If you didn’t already know who Anne Dagg was before watching this film, you definitely will after and you will be amazed by her story. In 1956, Canadian scientist Anne Innis Dagg went where no female or male biologist had ever gone before – to study the behaviour of giraffes in the wilds of South Africa. The Woman Who Loves Giraffes takes us through Anne’s year-long journey documenting these beautiful creatures and the hardships she faces upon returning home. Hearing about Anne’s battles with the University of Guelph and Waterloo provoked emotions of sadness, frustration, and anger from myself and many others in the audience. As a fellow female passionate about conservation, I was devastated that Anne had been so badly wronged by these institutions simply because she was a woman. Anne Dagg is talented, resourceful, and a leader in conservation writing – I feel honoured to have had the opportunity to witness her journey in becoming one of Canada’s greatest scientists of all time.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XS-22tabZI[/embedyt]Youth Unstoppable – Slater Jewell-Kemker

This was hands down, one of the most inspirational films that I have ever seen. Salter Jewell-Kemer is an Ontario filmmaker and the embodiment of “youth unstoppable”. The film follows Slater through a decade-long journey, beginning when she was only fifteen years old, demanding action on climate change and fighting for her future. In her debut feature, she brings us on a journey documenting the rise of the Global Youth Climate Movement through rallies, international social media exchanges, and at major Climate Conferences. Honest, passionate, and inspiring, this film shows Slater’s and her friend’s development as they grow as activists and individuals from adolescence to wholly engaged climate fighters as adults. It documents their struggles, losses, and victories, and reminds us all of the power of youth.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQYHBrtYsnk[/embedyt]

Sharkwater: Extinction – Rob Stewart

Of course, this post would not be complete without mentioning my favourite film from the festival, Sharkwater: Extinction, Rob Stewart’s final film. It was Rob who inspired me to want to become an environmental filmmaker – his passion, relentless drive, and pursuit for the truth inspired me to want to fight for our planet just as hard as he did. His passing last February shocked me and the world and I’d actually been avoiding watching the film for quite a while because I wasn’t sure how I would handle it.

I’m so glad that Rob’s family and the team were able to finish the beautiful project that Rob started. This movie is a testament to Rob’s bold and fearless investigative skills, his passionate dedication to shark conservation, and his immense courage as a diver and environmentalist.

The film takes us to Costa Rica, Panama, Cape Verde, the Bahamas, and the United States as Rob journeys to expose the corruption in the shark finning trade across the world. Rob took risks to expose dreadful exploitative activities that I wasn’t even aware of.

Help keep Rob’s mission to save sharks alive by going out to see this film on the big screen. You can also donate to Rob’s legacy foundation HERE.