The 3rd Annual Freeland Film Festival 2020 opens Friday, September 11, at 7 p.m. Central DST for 5-Days of Films. Steven Galster, the Founder of Freeland and noted environmental human rights investigator, presents the opening film The Last Ice, produced by National Geographic. The Last Ice shares the story of the Inuit peoples of Arctic Canada and Greenland. They are fighting to preserve their traditional ways amidst impeding colonialism, global warming, and the industrial extraction of Arctic resources, threatening their way of life. Freeland Film Festival Executive Producer, Rich Christian, shared the film’s subjects “beautifully reflect on their own stories and histories, and what they want to see in their futures.” A live Q&A with Director Scott Dressler immediately follows the film, giving viewers keen insights into this powerful story.

For the past two years, the Freeland Film Festival has been proud to call Green Lake Town Square, the official Film Festival Headquarters. "The staff have always been incredibly supportive, and we cannot wait to resume our live events sooner than later," said Evelyn Galster, event coordinator.   

Last year, actress and philanthropist Jane Seymour joined Freeland in Green Lake to celebrate filmmakers and storytellers. “Freeland Film Festival has been an incredible experience. The films have been so moving and inspiring,” Seymour shared of her participation in 2019. The panel she participated in, held in the Ballroom at Town Square, was standing room only! It was a fantastic turnout! 

The Festival theme of “Stories that Inspire” pairs serious subjects with hope and recovery, as viewers walk away moved to act and create change. Topics include wildlife trafficking and habitat loss, human trafficking and slavery; indigenous peoples’ sacred land rights; the changing environment and environmental farming; and our changing climate. The virtual format of the event will not only draw in international audiences but also provides flexibility to viewers to watch the films on their schedule. From environmentalists to travelers, dancers, and birders, the lineup of films and panels are compelling. Additional film highlights include: climate activist Greta Thunberg’s new film, Nature Now, calling all of us to protect and restore nature; Flying Without Borders, the story of the common crane’s incredible migratory journey across national borders of political conflict, and refugee crises; and Zen Speaker: Breaking the Silence, a personal portrait of Amy Ayoub, a prominent political fundraiser who had been a longtime victim of sex trafficking and abuse. Panels will feature old and new faces, including Leonard Morris, who opened 2019’s Festival with his award-winning film Children of Bal Ashram. This year, Morris will join us to discuss Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi, who provides a home and family for boys rescued from child labor in India. Additionally, Steven Galster will share updates about EndPandemics.earth, a new global alliance working to reduce the risk of future zoonotic outbreaks by protecting and regenerating nature. Also scheduled is a Tigers in America panel, inspired by the recent global conversation around captive tigers, including the series Tiger King. We are super excited to announce Carole Baskin has been added to our Tigers’ lineup in America panel. Stay tuned!! Carole was just added to the cast of DWTS, so hopefully, she can promote awareness of Freeland and this incredible film festival with Hollywood! It could happen, right? Please consider attending this fantastic event and supporting Freeland. 

All-access passes, tickets to individual films, and additional details available at: http://www.freelandfilmfest.org/