The Inaugural
Ohakune Festival
29–30th August
1.30 – 4 pm daily
7.30 - 10 pm daily
Matinee sessions suitable for school students
Adults $10, unwaged & Uni students $7, Primary and secondary students $2
Tickets at the door
Wednesday 29th August 1.30 – 4 pm
Someone has to Pay
A Kiwi-creative music video/documentary illustrating the negative impact our consumerism has on developing countries especially children and the environment
Running Dry
Water, daily life, and for many daily strife.
Carpa Diem
Water and energy – do they mix? “Carpa Diem” is the best commercial advert produced this year on energy as judged at the International Festival in Lausanne, in Switzerland.
The True Cost of Food
By turns funny, grim, and insightful, this animated film, takes us on a surreal tour of modern-day factory farming and agribusiness. It looks at a simple alternative that could help save our families and the planet: eating local, sustainable foods.
The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil
When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, Cuba was faced with new challenges: How to feed its people and create a new, low-energy society. Today, the small country provides an example of community in action after facing a drastic reduction in fossil fuel resources and other imports. Learn about the hardships the Cubans endured as they transitioned from large-scale industrial agriculture to small organic farms and urban gardens—and how their communities became stronger in the process
Wednesday 29th August 7.30 – 10 pm
Bluffed
Remember the fable of the Emperor's New Clothes? Well, a similar tale is happening in Bluff, right on New Zealand's back doorstep. The Bluff oyster may be a national icon but there is a darker side to the oyster industry that few will admit to.
Species Loss
Simple and funny - a 60 second commercial about the value of saving endangered species and biodiversity.
Global Focus IV – Mongolia
On the sprawling sparsely-populated steppes of Mongolia, outdated and unregulated mining practices have put waterways across the country in jeopardy.
Global Focus IV – Iceland
Tui Tuia
As keepers of other birdsongs, the Tui takes us on a journey of sound and vocal mimicry
Out of Balance
Leading climate scientists explain how we have gotten to this challenging place, with climate, and the influence of the world’s largest company out of balance. Out of Balance’ looks at how ExxonMobil spearheaded a misinformation campaign while making record profits.
Happy Planet
Gives us a glimpse into that simple yet breathtaking beauty of the planet we evolved from. It evokes the need to conserve the environment and save it from distinction
Thursday 30th August 1.30 – 4 pm
A Stake in our Future 8 mins
Making clever use of New Zealand’s stunning beach landscape, this video begins by recounting the human timeline, noting major developments in the last 10,000 years.
Climate Change 5 mins
A short film exploring the issues and impacts of greenhouse effect and climate change and looks at some of the actions individuals can take to make a difference.
Good Riddance Air Pollution 5 mins
Tasmania's Forests 10 mins
A challenging window into the ongoing struggle to protect the giants of Tasmania’s wilderness. This short features recent dramatic footage of the land clearing of ancient forests in Tasmania, and shows the grassroots swell of environmental activists. Set to the music of the John Butler Trio.
Global Focus IV – Iceland 5 mins
An innovative solution preventing the seemingly inevitable decimation of wild North Atlantic salmon populations.
Species Loss 1 min
Simple and funny - a 60 second commercial about the value of saving endangered species and biodiversity.
Save Happy Valley 11 mins
Why would anyone want to turn Happy Valley into an opencast mine? The film details the beautiful ecosystem that is Happy Valley, identifies the treats posed to it by state owned enterprise Solid Energy and introduces the national campaign to stop the mine and save the place!
Global Focus Papua New Guinea
Store Wars 5 mins
Consumer choice and Fair Trade
Someone Has to pay 4 mins
A Kiwi-creative music video/documentary illustrating the negative impact our consumerism has on developing countries especially children and the environment.
The True Cost of Food 15 mins
By turns funny, grim, and insightful, this animated film, takes us on a surreal tour of modern-day factory farming and agribusiness. It looks at a simple alternative that could help save our families and the planet: eating local, sustainable foods.
Polluted Piako 5 mins
100% Pure NZ rivers??? Made by a primary student film crew - Polluted Piako documents the pollution and clean up of a river in the Hauraki Plains.
Carpa Diem 1 min
Water and energy – do they mix? “Carpa Diem” is the best commercial advert produced this year on energy as judged at the International Festival in Lausanne, in Switzerland.
Film making is rewarding! 3 mins
Ross Intermediate Project promoting the REEL EARTH 2008 Environmental Film Festival Competition for students .
Happy Planet 3 mins
Gives us a glimpse into that simple yet breathtaking beauty of the planet we evolved from. It evokes the need to conserve the environment and save it from distinction
Thursday 30th August 7.30 – 10 pm
The Good Fight
‘The Good Fight’ chronicles one man’s extraordinary efforts from the 1960s onward in saving the Grand Canyon from being ruined with dams and his ongoing struggle to preserve the Giant Sequoias from the axe of the Forest Service.
Global Focus IV – Ireland
North Mayo County is a beautiful unspoiled part of Ireland’s western seaboard where a proposed gas pipeline would jeopardize the delicate bog ecosystem and threaten both the safety of citizens and the local farmer’s way of life.
Texas Gold
Diane Wilson, a fourth generation fisherwoman and mother of 5, began her fight with the giants of the petro-chemical industry in 1989, when she discovered that her small Texas county had been named the most toxic place in America.
A Hard Rain
‘A Hard Rain’ exposes the hidden agendas behind the latest push for Australia to ‘go nuclear’& presents a compelling and frightening argument against it. By legendary activist and filmmaker David Bradbury
Happy Planet
Gives us a glimpse into that simple yet breathtaking beauty of the planet we evolved from. It evokes the need to conserve the environment and save it from distinction
To learn more about each film, see the selections page.
