Coquelicot Tasting Room Opening Reception. Courtesy image.
NatureTrack Film Festival Postponed Until October 9-11
Update: After careful consideration and consultation with multiple stakeholders, the NatureTrack Film Festival (NTFF) has made the difficult decision to postpone our March 20-22, 2020 event to October 9-11, 2020.
LOS OLIVOS — The NatureTrack Film Festival (NTFF), the only nature-focused film festival between San Francisco and Los Angeles, will return to Los Olivos on March 20-22, 2020. Festival organizers will build on two successful years, bringing an even more diverse and distinctive selection of outdoor film to the third NatureTrack Film Festival. Entries are thoughtfully curated and selected to “ignite passion for nature through film.”
In just two years, the NatureTrack Film Festival has already attracted the attention of filmmakers around the world. The inaugural festival resulted in more than 1,500 film submissions and featured notable outdoor filmmakers like Chris and Keith Malloy, Jeff Johnson, and Chris Burkard. Other artists traveled from as far away as Germany, England and Pakistan to showcase their films. In 2019, festival producers were delighted when Netflix premiered an episode of its hit documentary series “Our Planet” at the festival. Organizers were further honored when renowned filmmaker and National Geographic photographer, James Balog of “Chasing Ice,” asked to bring his newest film “The Human Element” to the 2019 NTFF.
Higgenbotham Twins. Courtesy image.
The town of Los Olivos is located just inland and north of Santa Barbara in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, gateway to the Los Padres National Forest. With Santa Barbara County being the birthplace of Earth Day and the modern environmental movement, it’s an ideal location for a film festival that has been enthusiastically embraced by locals, filmmakers and visitors alike. In Los Olivos, visitors can enjoy a small-town vibe with world-renowned wineries and restaurants to make their film festival experience even more enjoyable.
There is a variety of packages to suit any budget. Individual ticket price is $10; six and 12-packs of tickets available for $50 and $90 respectively, a VIP All-Access Pass is $200. providing an even more economical way to enjoy multiple films. The festival offers discounted Student tickets as well.
More information on each director, their films, and when films are scheduled can be found at www.NatureTrackFilmFestival.org
Special events will take place Friday through Sunday, March 20 through 22, at the various festival venues throughout Los Olivos.
Friday, March 20
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Opening Reception/Introduction to Filmmakers
Location: Artisan Gallery, 2432 Alamo Pintado Ave, Los Olivos
Meet many of the festival filmmakers in a casual setting.
Appetizers from First & Oak, with wine from Coquelicot Estate Wines and beer from M. Special Brewing Company
$25/adult, $15/child (12 and under), free for All-Access Pass holders
Saturday, March 21
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Spotlight Event – Carbon Cowboys Panel Discussion
Location: St. Mark’s In-the-Valley, Stacy Hall, 2901 Nojoqui Ave, Los Olivos
Guest speakers: Steve Apfelbaum, Founder & Chairman of AES; Susan Lehnhardt, Three Waters Reserve; Larry Kopald, The Carbon Underground Organization and FaceTime/Skype with Peter Byck, Carbon Cowboys.
Screenings: Peter Byck’s “Herd Impact” and Chris Malloy’s “Unbroken Ground,” sponsored by Patagonia Provisions
Light lunch will be served with beer and wine
$20/adult, $15/child (12 and under), free for All-Access Pass holders
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Spotlight Event – Meet the Director, Composer and Cast of “By Hand”
Location: St. Mark’s In-the-Valley, Stacy Hall, 2901 Nojoqui Ave, Los Olivos
Guest speakers: “By Hand” co-director Kellen Keene, the documentary’s subjects twin brothers Casey and Ryan Higginbotham and the film’s composer, Todd Hannigan.
The evening begins at 5:00 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres including Full of Life flatbread, wine from Grimms Bluff Winery and beer from M. Special Brewing Company. A screening of “By Hand” is at 5:45 p.m. followed by a Q&A with the film’s creators.
$30/adult, $20/child (12 and under), free to All-Access Pass holders
Sunday, March 22
Meet the Maker.“Using Animation & Music to Convey Your Story”
10:15-10:45 am
Wildflower Women Boutique 2920 Grand Ave, Los Olivos
Wildflower Women Boutique is pleased to welcome NatureTrack Film Festival directors, pass holders, and guests to enjoy a special opportunity to meet with directors to discuss how they combine their illustrative skills with music to create powerful animated stories that convey so much meaning. Join owner Amber Lease, as she hosts Director Yeliz Motro along with Producer Catherine Nelson of “Escape” and Elizabeth Lewis of “Waters of March” for an interesting chat over mimosas and muffins.A special discount on merchandise will be available to all NatureTrack pass holders.
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Awards Ceremony
Location: Los Olivos Community Organization Hall (The Grange), 2374 Alamo Pintado Ave, Los Olivos
Free
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Closing Reception
Location: Sides Restaurant, 2375 Alamo Pintado Ave, Los Olivos
Appetizers and wines from Hitching Post Wines and beer from M. Special Brewing Company.
$25/adult, $15/child, free to All Access Pass holders
Free, NatureTrack docent-led hikes are scheduled for all three days. Film screenings begin Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. For an entire film, event and hike schedule, go to www.naturetrackfilmfestival.org. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.