Planet in Focus
Planet in Focus is an environmental film festival which takes place in the fall in Toronto, Canada since 2000.
Its mission [1] is to promote the use of film and video as a catalysts for public awareness, discussion, and appropriate action on the ecological and social health of the planet; to include diverse perspectives; to promote social and ecological sustainability in all festival operations, and forge relationships with organizations and individuals who have similar goals.
Planet in Focus is also the name of the non-profit organization which runs the festival, founded in 1999 by festival director Mark Haslam.
Awards
Awards have been given out every year except in the first year.
2001
- Programmers' Choice Award: Why the Rabbit Turns White, Tantoo Cardinal and Greg Coyes, 1998
- Audience Choice Award: The Great Dance, Damon and Craig Foster, 2000
2002
- Programmers' Choice Award: The Return of Navajo Boy, Jeff Spitz, 2000
- Big Pitch Award: Clucky Keegstra, Ann Shin and Neil Spiegel
- Eco Hero Award: Dr. Rosalie Bertell
- Outstanding Media Maker Award: John A. Livingston
2003
- Programmers' Choice Award: One More Dead Fish, Allan & Stefan Forbes, 2002
- Big Pitch Award:
- Up Your Yangtze, Yung Chang
- Spilling the Beans, Sean Kelly
- Industry Eco-Hero Award: John and Janet Foster
- for outstanding achievement in raising environmental awareness through film or video
- Community Eco-Hero Award: Jean-Dominic Lévesque-René
- for outstanding achievement in raising environmental awareness and community activism
2004
- Best International Short: Mini Cine Tupy, Sergio Bloch
- Best International Feature: Sin Embargo, Judith Grey
- Best Canadian Short: The Water Thieves, Sébastien Élias
- Best Canadian Feature: Animals, Jason Young
- Eco-Hero Community Award: Henry Lickers
- Eco-Hero Media Award: Frédéric Back