flagfilm08.jpgThe Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival, a collection of the most inspiring and thought-provoking adventure, social, and environmental outdoor-related films from around the world, starts Thursday March 6th and runs through through Sunday March 9th, 2008 at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Flagstaff.

 

From March 6th-9th, Flagstaff’s high-altitude forest setting becomes a spectacular base for outdoor and film enthusiasts to celebrate the spirit of exploration. The historic Orpheum Theater is the perfect host with a huge screen, a digital projection system, and even a licensed lounge.

Of particular interest to cyclists is the showing of “Klunkers“.  In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, San Francisco was the vortex of America’s counter-culture movement. Just over the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County another movement was underway, this one on two wheels and fueled by the city’s music scene. Klunkerz documents the history of mountain biking from its infancy.

The sixth edition of the festival has more screenings and more films from more countries. The past five-year’s sell-out audiences have been intoxicated by the lineup of features and shorts that illuminate the collective spirit of curiosity.

 

With each passing year the depth of submissions and quality increases as filmmakers expand the genre and take advantage of new technological advances and opportunities. As evidenced in the program, the range of topics and styles vary greatly. Each unique screening exposes people to new points of view, experiences, landscapes and thrills. A few films will be complemented through the festival with speakers either directly tied to the films or their subject matter to add an additional dimension to their content.

The festival is also proud to use this forum to introduce local students to a new genre of filmmaking that is a dramatic departure from mainstream Hollywood. As in the past four years, approximately 1000 middle and high school students will attend special showings on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning. We’ve collaborated with Mt. Elden Middle School teacher Diana Laufenberg, to create a curriculum based on the films the students will be watching.

This year, on Thursday, March 6th form 7:00pm-11:00pm we will host a set of films with an environmental focus and have John Burcham, professional Flagstaff adventure photographer (www.johnburncham.com), Dale Djerassi, director of Oil on Ice, and Bill Parrish join us for a panel discussion on the controversial Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.

In addition, on Saturday March 8th from 9:00am-12:30pm we will screen a series of films that are either made by local filmmakers or have subject matter directly related to the Northern Arizona community.

Last year we had huge success introducing an adrenaline-filled evening of extreme outdoor sport related films that did not fail to excite and inspire. This year we have another great selection of films for this late-night Saturday evening show with a party-type atmosphere and lounge serving up great beer.

ALL FILMS, TIMES and Ticket information is ONLINE AT: www.flagstaffmountainfilms.com