4th Annual Julian Film Festival, Friday, August 21st & Saturday, August 22nd
Location
Friday, August 21st & Saturday, August 22nd, the 4th Annual Julian Film Festival, benefitting and sponsored by the Volcan Mountain Foundation, is being held as a summer event for 2015. 'All Events Access Pass' and 'Single Session Movie Pass' Tickets are available now!
The nature-focused, environmental film festival will tie-in with, and support, VMF’s theme of A Watershed Year. It will focus on important themes of water and connectivity like those of the 15-mile long Volcan Mountain Range and it’s adjacent watershed and wildlife corridors in the San Diego County and Southern/Baja California regions. Two exceptional, award-winning, feature-length films also provide a local connection.
An Emmy-nominated documentary, ‘Breaking Point’ by award-winning documentary producer Bill Wisneski, spotlights a critical water issue and a potential crisis in Southern California with the Salton Sea and the Colorado River Basin. San Felipe Creek springs forth high on Volcan Mountain and flows east into the Anza-Borrego Watershed and onto the Salton Sea’s Colorado River Basin. California’s largest lake is disappearing and time is running out to make changes before an ecological breaking point is reached. Certainly protecting watersheds and water sources like the Volcan Mountain Range is one part of the solution to this weighty issue.
Another highlight of the festival will be the film ‘OR7-The Journey’, by filmmaker Clemens Schenk, that depicts the importance of wildlife corridors in Northern California/Oregon and the plight of grey wolves, and clarifies myths and misconceptions that surround these magnificent animals. The film documents the journey of OR-7, a grey wolf which was collared in Oregon and eventually dispersed from his pack. A journey that tells the story not only of OR-7, but of the wolf as a species in America. It is a journey of survival. A journey of inspiration.
Julian’s own California Wolf Center will be participating and adding to the post-film discussion. Everywhere this film’s been shown it’s sold out, so don’t miss your opportunity to view this critically-acclaimed and fascinating documentary!
The Julian Film Festival hopes to provide connectivity for those that love, and are hopeful for, nature and to serve as inspiration to inspire active stewardship for protection and care of vital natural resources like the Volcan Mountain Range. The film festival provides a fun, social opportunity to look at, share, and discuss important environmental issues as a community. It takes issues what may seem large and looming, and through spirited and social engagement gives hope that together we can (and must) tackle even the biggest issues that face society today.
The historic apple-producing, ranching and gold-mining town of Julian, California in the mountains of northeast San Diego County, provides the perfect setting to get informed about, and inspired by, nature. Surrounded by the Cleveland National Forest, Julian also showcases natural attractions for recreating and camping like the nearby Cuyamaca Rancho, Palomar and Anza-Borrego State Parks, and several county parks and preserves.
The Festival will kick off with Friday night films at the Julian Station (4470 Highway 78/Julian Road, Julian, CA 92036), a popular local food and watering hole and historic apple packing facility and cider house. Filmgoers can enjoy local, organic food and beverages from Mr. Manitas Taco Bar & Fruteria, The Cooler, Golden Coast Mead, and Julian Hard Cider before enjoying the films on an outdoor screen and a filmmaker reception to follow.
On Saturday, there will be four 90-minute film sessions with community/filmmaker discussions to follow at Julian High School (1656 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036) on the east-end of Main Street. Lunch will be available for pre-order and delivery through the Candied Apple Pastry Company.
Just a couple blocks away, the historic townsite of Julian offers ample dining, shopping and lodging opportunities. A Saturday night awards party at the historic Julian Town Hall with live music by Grand Canyon Sundown and food provided by Granny’s Kitchen. The Volcan Mountain Foundation is very appreciative to Nickel Beer Co., Volcan Mountain Winery, Woof 'n Rose Winery, and Blue Door Winery for donating beer and wine for the party. Thank you also to 'recovering' caterer Rita Cantor who will be contributing scrumptious cookies for lunch and decadent desserts for the party--she just can't stop sharing her fabulous creations!
On Sunday, attendees staying for the weekend can visit VMF’s Volcan Mountain Nature Center (22850 Volcan Road, Julian, CA 92036) and take a guided hike on VMF’s Sky Island Trail that provides a spectacular views to the coast and a terrific overview of adjacent watersheds and mountain peaks.
Visit www.JulianFilmFestival.com or www.VolcanMt.org for updates, tickets and more information.