Celluloid in the City: Planet in Focus Film Festival Preview

I'm always astounded at the number of film festivals that happen in a given year here in our fair city of Toronto. The Planet in Focus Film Festival that happens from Nov 1-5th is one of the more interesting of the bunch to be sure.

With a solid slate of films, the Planet in Focus International Environmental Film & Video Festival also runs events like an Eco Fair, A Green Film Pitch Contest, Workshops on Activist Filmmaking and even a Organic Pancake Brunch on Saturday. (see site for times)

Here is a preview of some of the highlights screening at this year's festival.

Toronto In the Dawn of Cinema: this program is quite possibly one of the most exciting things to play in this city in a long time. Made up of silent films from 1904-1929 we see Toronto back before any of us can remember. Highlights include films about the Great Toronto Fire, War Recreations in High Park, A Prohibition Parade to Queen's Park and TTC Footage from 1931.

Escarpment Blues: a documentary/tour diary of the 2005 Sarah Harmer "I Love The Escarpment Tour" in support of ending the mining of the Niagara Escarpment which threatens to ruin surrounding watersheds, wildlands and wildlife. Mixing interview footage of activists, NDP Environmental Reps, concert footage and even a nasty heated exchange between the mining company and Harmer, this doc received great reviews during it's debut at NXNE.

30 Days: Off the Grid - Guranteed to be hilarious and insightful this episode of Super Size Me director Morgan Spurlock's TV show "30 Days" transports two of the most careless New York City folks into the workings of an urban eco farm for 30 Days. Expect shock and awe as these slickers discover the wonders of organic solar paneled meat-less outhouse living.