People like good stories, for good reason. I'm not a fan of sensationalism, but I do appreciate an entertaining story that has a meaningful message. I think this explains the popularity of such films as Super Size Me, and Michael Moore's documentaries. I think too many TV shows and films with important messages to tell get caught up in a scripted narrative, or else frighten or bore their audiences to death. There are so many different ways that people relate to the natural world - from the hunter or the vegetarian. I'm interested in telling everyone's story.
We intentionally cast a wide net. This is another reason why I felt like the Short-Attention-Span nature of the film fest was essential - variety. People's time is short and as great of a film as Who Killed the Electric Car is, not everyone wants to sit through 90 minutes of one eco-themed story. We wanted to include more people and expand the conversation. We've found that people really appreciate our variety. We often hear that our collection is "not what we expected, and that's a good thing." We look for personal stories that have not been told before; quirky, inspirational, and generally non-political. And of course, they have to be 30 seconds to 30 minutes in length.
EarthDance Films has been a real gift in my life. It has given me a chance to meet and work with incredibly talented people and interesting audiences from all over the world. It has also made me a better curator and editor. I am grateful for the opportunity to help build community and (hopefully) inspire some people along the way!
--Zak Zide
