Environmental films part of Earth Day weekend

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival will be part of the Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Festival on April 19-20 at the Olympic Village Lodge at Squaw Valley.

Screenings on both nights will begin at 7.

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival focuses on films which speak to the environmental concerns and celebrations of our planet.

On April 19 the movie is “GROW!” – a documentary that captures the energy and independence of a fresh crop of young farmers. The documentary shows that it is not just Old MacDonald on the farm anymore. All across the U.S. there is a growing movement of educated young people who are leaving the cities to take up an agrarian life.

“Dark Side of the Lens”, to be featured on April 20, is the story of one man’s personal and heartfelt account of life as an ocean based photographer. This short film takes the audience on an eerie, stunning and moving journey amongst the oceanic grandeur of Ireland’s west coast.

Also to be shown on April 20 is the film “Kadoma”. After more than a decade exploring Central Africa, Hendri Coetzee is a modern legend of African exploration. Solo on the Congo River in 2009, Hendri received an email from American expedition kayaker Ben Stookesberry. “It would be ludicrous to take an American who you don’t know, and who has never been to Africa into its very heart.” Hendi replied. But a year later, he did just that. Joined by Chris Korbulic, Ben’s longtime kayak partner, Hendi led the way from the Nile overland through Rwanda in order to kayak into the heart of the Congo on a previously unnavigated waterway, the Lukuga River. Seven weeks into the expedition, deep in the DRC, tragedy strikes.

The films will be shown in the Olympic Village Lodge. Tickets are $10. Advanced tickets can be purchased at New Moon Natural Foods in Truckee and Tahoe City, and at Alice’s Market in the Village at Squaw Valley.