ShAFF 2019: Water Films 2 - Paddle For The Planet: an evening of intrepid waterway activism 15

Chasing Wild - 12 minutes

Three friends set off on a 400km bikepacking and packraft expedition through the heart of the sacred headwaters in northwestern British Columbia, birthplace of three critical salmon rivers, and home to the Tahltan people. In the wake of the devastating Mount Polley Mine disaster, the team’s goal is to understand what is at stake as a wave of new mines are developed across this remote corner of the province. Their journey offers an exciting and sobering window into this wild landscape as they pedal through vast boreal forest, paddle frigid whitewater, battle monster trout, outrun a grizzly, learn about the Tahltan’s fight to protect their homeland and glimpse inside a massive open pit mine.

The Undamaged - 52 minutes

The Balkan Peninsula cradles Europe's last free flowing rivers and supports abundant, diverse and endemic wildlife. These rivers are The Undamaged - wild, pristine and undammed. However, they are under threat of an unprecedented dam craze from private hydro power companies. Over 2,700 small and large hydropower plants are planned to be built, (or are already under construction) in the Balkans; 535 in strictly protected areas and 113 dams inside 14 National Parks. Follow the Balkan Rivers Tour, a crew of whitewater kayakers, filmers, photographers, and friends who decided to stand up for their river! They traveled the Balkans for 39 days, kayaking 23 rivers in 6 countries and organising 11 events. The journey ends with an emotionally-charged and exciting protest in front of the Albanian Prime Minister’s headquarters, demanding the Albanian Government to stop all dam plans on the Vjosa River. With a total of 500 paddlers and more than 1,500 protesters from 18 nations, Balkan Rivers Tour was the biggest river conservation action in Europe to date. The international media attention the tour generated presented the issue of dams to a wide range of people across the Balkans, Europe and the world, exposing the often illegal and underground concessions and construction of dams. The crew paddled through canyons and river valleys that seldom see people, connecting with locals who lead traditional lives, dependant on these rivers. The film introduces the issue of dam in the Balkans and sheds light on other battles for rivers around the world, focusing on the success and inspiration of the the Franklin River Blockade, which took place on the Franklin and Gordon rivers in Tasmania, between the years 1981-1983. Follow this journey of exploration, discovery and resistance and the community that has been created by small pockets of people resisting dams across the Balkans. The Undamaged will leave people with the motivation to act, the courage to stand up to injustice in their world, and the inspiration that it can be effective while being fun.

Waterway Jay - 7 minutes

In 2017, Jay Gustafson launched Paddle for Progress, a two-year, 4,300-mile personal journey in response to Governor Dayton's call for water action. Jay's mission to reconnect humanity with one of our most precious resources took him to the most remote and least visited corners of Minnesota, as well as through nearly every major community in the state. ​ Alone in the wilderness, Jay reminds us how we are all linked to water, one of the most powerful elements on earth that is in a constant state of danger. His passion for paddling and call to something greater than himself leads us down water trails into our own spirit's journey and connection with the earth. ​ Waterway Jay is the story of this one man's journey to save water, and how we are connected to it all.

Cal Major Film - 60 minutes