.

Planet in Focus, Canada’s largest environmental film festival, begins its 12th year on Wednesday, October 12, 2011. With so many festivals in Toronto, it’s sometimes hard to remember that film festivals play an important role in bringing people together, sharing ideas and challenging the status quo. Festivals often bring to light films that may never be seen otherwise. They highlight local, national and international issues and bring them home in a way that makes them personal and important. In this way, we are quite lucky, then, that Planet in Focus calls Toronto home. With their Green Screen initiative (focused on helping filmmakers practice their art in a more environmentally responsible way) and the Film on Tour program, in addition to youth educational activities, Planet in Focus makes a significant impact in the realm of environmental awareness each year. With their annual festival, however, they bring to Toronto a group of dedicated filmmakers and activists to engage in important conversations about the world we live in and how we can better live in it.

The 2011 edition of Planet in Focus looks to be a stellar year. Opening the festival is Revenge of the Electric Car, the sequel to Who Killed the Electric Car?, which follows the revitalization of the race to produce the electric car after thousands were destroyed in 2006. Narrated by Tim Robbins, director Chris Paine chronicles his behind the scenes look at major car companies (such as Nissan and GM) to discover at the motives — and issues — behind the resurgence of interest in this technology. Paine will be in attendance at the opening night of the festival, which also marks the film’s Canadian premiere.

On opening night Planet in Focus will also give one of its two awards of the festival. The 2011 Canadian Eco Hero Award will be presented to Kevin McMahon, an award-winning filmmaker and writer. His films In The Reign Of Twilight, Stolen Spirits of Haida Gwaii and Waterlife have brought the environment to the forefront with explorations of the Arctic, the Pacific Northwest and the Great Lakes.

Bookending this stellar start to the festival is The Whale, the closing night film, narrated by Ryan Reynolds and directed by Suzanne Chisholm and Michael Parfit. The Whale follows Luna, a baby orca, as he finds kinship with a group of humans off the coast of Vancouver Island when he is separated from his family. Once Luna’s story becomes public, a battle over his freedom begins between the Canadian government, NGOs, the Mowachaht tribe and those who are simply inspired by the event. This evening will also include a presentation of Planet in Focus’ International Eco Hero Award to Richard O’Barry, made famous for his activism in the area of whales and dolphins, most notably in the Academy Award winning film The Cove. Mr. O’Barry will be on hand to receive his award.

Complementing the strength of the opening and closing films is an equally strong lineup of films screening throughout the five day festival. The Gold of Others looks at the battle between Canada’s federal Mining Act’s right to exploit subsoil resources and the citizens’ right to protect their land, focusing on the community of Malartic, Quebec and the gold that’s under it. Brick by Brick: The Story of Evergreen Brick Works takes an inside look at this important piece of Toronto’s culture. The screening will be followed by a discussion on sustainable design in Toronto, and will be attended by director Catherine Annau and Evergreen Executive Director Geoff Cape. Portrait of Resistance: The Art & Activism of Carole Condé and Karl Beveridge looks at the lives and careers of these Toronto-based photographers. Niger River: A River Under Siege follows director Berince Notenboom as she and her team kayak 750-kilometers on the Bani and Niger Rivers to see how the local tribes are adapting to the changing weather conditions being forced upon them by climate change. This is only a tiny smattering of the over 75 films presented at this year’s festival. Check their website for a full program guide, including showtimes, guests and tickets.

In addition to the stellar public program this year, Planet in Focus offers an industry series that includes two days of panels, three innovative programs, a pitch session and funding opportunities. The industry series itself takes place over two days of the festival, October 12 and 13, and allows funders, emerging and established filmmakers and broadcasters to come together to discuss the most pressing and interested issues in activist filmmaking. Industry activities continue with The Eco-Corporate Roundtable, a summit designed to bridge the gap between filmmakers and corporations, such as Tim Horton’s, Loblaw and ING Direct, and the Green Screen Panel, which builds on the work done year round by this initiative to create new ways to make films in an environmentally responsible way. Finally, The Green Pitch is a returning pitch competition which awards $5,500 in development funding and services to the best eco-film idea.

Planet in Focus Executive Director Sarah Margolius says of the festival, “Planet in Focus has been the meeting place for those interested in the state of our planet, and making the best world possible through the magic of film.” This year’s festival seems only be building on the 12 years that have come before it, expanding the programming and raising the profile of issues that are crucially important right now. Check the Planet in Focus website for all the details on the festival.