FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 17, 2007

(Anchorage, AK) Join the Alaska Marine Conservation Council (AMCC) and the Copper River Watershed Project (CRWP) when they host the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival On Tour at the Bear Tooth Theatre in Anchorage on October 25 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at the Bear Tooth Theatre for $7.00 per person.

The Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival brings together award-winning environmental films in a spirit of inspiration and education. Whether exploring the natural and cultural wonders of the Mekong River from its source in Tibet to South China or discovering how one tribe in the Amazon sought unlikely alliances to defend its land from oil development, the films bring awareness to the natural world around us and our role in that delicate balance.

The film festival was started in 2003 by The South Yuba Rivers Citizens League in Nevada City, California. “After five extremely successful festivals in California, we knew that we wanted to take the tour on the road to share these incredible films with a larger audience. Our mission is to inspire those in attendance to take action on behalf of the environment,” said Susie Sutphin, festival tour manager. “We’re thrilled that AMCC and CRWP have teamed up to host the festival in Anchorage,” Sutphin said.

Hosting the film festival is a natural extension of both AMCC’s and CRWP’s community-based approach to conservation. The Alaska Marine Conservation Council works to protect the long-term health of Alaska’s fisheries and marine ecosystems by working with coastal communities that depend on healthy oceans for their livelihoods and ways of life. The Copper River Watershed Project was created to benefit communities along the Copper River with the vision of helping diversify the economy of this unique region while sustaining its natural resources and cultural heritage. The film festival is a benefit for both the AMCC and the CRWP.

"Although we focus on the Copper River and salmon as a renewable resource in our backyard, these films celebrate rivers everywhere and bring home the message that everyone lives in a watershed," said Kristin Smith, Executive Director of the Copper River Watershed Project.

“It’s a privilege to be hosting an event that focuses on the positive conservation actions of individuals and communities,” said Diana DeFazio of the Alaska Marine Conservation Council.

EVENT DETAILS:
WHAT: WILD & SCENIC ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL On Tour

WHO: Hosted by the Alaska Marine Conservation Council and the Copper River Watershed Project

WHEN: Thursday, October 16^th. Show starts at 8pm.

WHERE: Bear Tooth Theatre, 1230 W. 27^th Avenue, Anchorage

COST: $7 per person.

TICKETS: On sale at the Bear Tooth Theatre box office (907) 276-4200

INFO: Contact Diana at the Alaska Marine Conservation Council, (907) 277-5357; Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival website

FILMS

-NOMADS: WANDERING WOMEN OF THE WHITEWATER TRIBE

-DREAM PEOPLE OF THE AMAZON 

-EXPLORING THE MOTHER OF WATERS

-WOMBAT

-PLANETARY COLAL REEF FOUNDATION

-DOWN THE COPPER RIVER

-RIDE OF THE MERGANSERS

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