Catch some fantastic environmentally themed films at the Mission Beach Film Festival this weekend, writes Denise Carter

THE Mission Beach sustainable film festival whirs into action this weekend, a world first in the midst of two world heritage areas.

With events on the mainland and a satellite festival on Dunk Island, it’s sure to be a busy couple of days.

Dee Cameron, festival organiser, said it’s the first sustainable festival in the world from a heritage area.

The festival took 12 months of planning, and the weekends’ events will rev up in three venues.

Darren Cann, new CEO of Bedarra and Dunk Island, said he wanted to get involved, which is why he’s putting on four films over the weekend and having Dunk as a satellite to the festival.

"The green theme is in line with the resort’s aim of cutting its carbon footprint," Darren says.

"I’m really looking forward to Big River Man," Darren says. "It’s an interesting story about a chap from Slovenia who swims the world’s biggest rivers as a way to highlight the environment."

Big River Man will be screened at Dunk Island and at Castaways Resort on the mainland.

It’s a rollicking thrill ride that works as both a humorous character study and an enlightening environmental message.

In the movie, four-time world record endurance swimmer Martin Strel attempts to swim the mighty Amazon.

Strel said he wants to promote a message of clean rivers, clean water and friendship, "because these rivers and water have to stay clean, otherwise the world will collapse".

There is a family feature film in the shape of The Fox and the Child, a French tale of a life-changing encounter between a wild fox and a young girl and their impossible friendship, narrated by Kate Winslet.

The Age of Stupid also features at Dunk Island Resort and is part of an Under the Stars screening and fiesta at Castaways. The movie had its global premiere in September. It was reviewed by the UK’s Guardian newspaper, which called it "the first successful dramatisation of climate change to reach the big screen".

The Cove shows on Dunk and back on the mainland where it is screened in the Communities for Cassowary and Coastal Conservation Theatrette. The movie scooped audience awards for best documentary at this year’s Sundance, Sydney, and Hot Docs (Canada) film festivals.

>> For full listings of films, times, and venues, or for information on the Cassowary Coast Short Film Competition and Stills Photography Exhibition, visit www.missionbeachfilmfestival.com.au

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