One word describes Telluride Mountainfilm: INSPIRING. Inspiration is truly the take-away of this fascinating festival.
Mission
The mission of Mountainfilm "is dedicated to educating and inspiring audiences about issues that matter, cultures worth exploring, environments worth preserving and conversations worth sustaining." The festival included leading independent documentaries, a discussion by author Terry Tempest Williams, a presentation by 350.org founder Bill McKibben, a Richard Holbrooke tribute, photography exhibits, a book signing, and art exhibits. Speakers and attendees included artists, photographers, academics, adventurers and activists. Some of my favorite documentaries were: Chasing Water, Happy, Bidder 70, The City Dark, Cold, The Green Wave, If a Tree Falls, Into Darkness and Kadoma. I suggest seeing as many as you can.
Green Commitment
I want to highlight the green evolution and commitment at Mountainfilm. This festival is truly a low-impact festival. Ninety-percent of festival trash is recycled or composted, no bottled water is provided to attendees, and printed materials are made on recycled paper with soy ink. Mountainfilm reduced coal-generated electricity and generated their own power with two grid-tied diesel generators and biodiesel in 2007. Then in 2008, the festival went further and added hydro-power to the mix. This has reduced carbon 100% from festival operations.
The festival also took the risk of not providing any single-use disposable containers. On Saturday morning, I went to a Coffee Talk discussion about Greg Mortenson and forgot my reusable mug. I learned my lesson and had to struggle through the session without any caffeine. In addition, attendees brought a bowl and spoon to the Ice Cream Socials and plates and silverware to the Closing Picnic.
Mountainfilm is not only an annual celebration of adventure culture, but a coming together of a diverse group of people who want to make a difference in the world.
How are you making the world a better place?
All photos courtesy of Mountainfilm.