Posted on 4 February 2021 By Inspiring Connections Outdoors (ICO)
YouTube screening Feb 20-21 will benefit Sierra Club’s youth outings program
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In a time of serious stress, nothing soothes like the great outdoors. Now, even people who are staying home will be inspired and excited thanks to the first-ever virtual outdoors film festival hosted by the Sierra Club’s Inspiring Connections Outdoors (ICO) program.
The 2-night Inspiring Connections Outdoors Film Festival will take place February 20th and 21st beginning at 7PM Eastern Time (6PM Central/5PM Mountain/4PM Pacific) and can be watched on a smart TV or computer on Youtube Premieres.The program will feature a range of exciting, touching, and, importantly, diverse films centered on the outdoors.
There is no charge for watching the free Inspiring Connections Outdoors Film Festival. However, donations are greatly appreciated, as the weekend activity will serve as a fundraiser for seven Sierra Club Inspiring Connections Outdoors (ICO) groups across the nation. There will also be a silent auction, where great gear and other items from Stio, YETI, Gregory, Nite Ize, NRS and more can be bid on at the event website starting February 13th.
Night one, expected to last 2 hours, features films from the 5 Point On the Road adventure film festival. This exciting lineup of 14 short films range from the 3-minute Running Thoughts, showcasing what goes on in the heads of trail runners Perry Cohen, Junko Kazukawa and José González as they move in nature; to the 9-minute Stoke Chasers, a feminist look on why girls are taught to “watch” more than “do,” centered on the male-dominated surf and skate worlds; and the 22-minute United States of Joes, applauding the cooperation a band of punk rock climbers forge with a conservative community in rural Utah. Other films for this night explore the worlds of white-water kayaking, skiing, mountain biking, and river surfing, and include profiles of the first trans woman to tackle the Seven Summits (the highest mountains on each continent), and a cancer survivor who lost his leg but not his zest for the outdoors.
Night two, also approximately 2 hours, is being dubbed the “Community Campfire Night.” The evening showcases an innovative, unique lineup curated by the Sierra Club’s ICO volunteers, including young people. The films will especially reflect and inspire diverse youth and families.
Several of the films were created by student winners of the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest, which is open to youth from ages 9 to 25.
Films for this second night include:
- Moksha—Freedom Through the Mountains, a 22-minute film that follows three Nepali women who have dedicated themselves to spreading the joy that mountain biking can give to women across the Himalayas.
- Soul Deep, a 15-minute reflection by Dominic Gill into a future where a climbing gym in Memphis becomes a crucible for diversity, inclusivity, and community.
- Kid Warrior, directed by Vanessa Black, a 7-minute look at indigenous teen Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, who is mobilizing an army of teens in 25 countries to demand greener policy from our world’s leaders.
- A Reason to Fish (Una Razon para Pescar), an award-winning 10-minute film by Simon Perkins featuring the reflections of Miami resident and passionate fisherman Dan Diaz about his sport’s connection to both the natural world and to Diaz’ Cuban-born grandfather in search of political freedom.
The second night will include interview segments with several youth outdoor celebrities, including Kai Lightner, a 21-year-old professional rock climber and founder of Climbing for Change, a nonprofit that aims to readdress racial inequality in his sport, and representatives from Brothers of Climbing, a group with a similar mission. Several youths who have participated in ICO outings will serve as emcees for the exciting evening.
To sign up to watch the films and receive the Youtube Premieres link at ICOFilmFest.com.
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About Sierra Club’s Inspiring Connections Outdoors (ICO)
ICO, an outreach program of Sierra Club Outdoors, is an all-volunteer effort where adults collaborate with youth partners who have limited access to the outdoors to create safe and inclusive experiences in nature. Day or overnight outings include everything from hiking, paddling, biking, and rock climbing, to overnight tent camping, as well as learning about environmental stewardship.
ICO is a self-funded, volunteer effort (that is always looking for additional volunteers). To learn more, visit the group’s website.