Looking for something to fill the movie theater lull between Argo and Skyfall? Check out the Artivist Film Festival taking place in Hollywood this weekend. Now in its ninth year, the organization is affiliated with the United Nations Department of Public Information and raises awareness for humanity, animals and the environment through film. This year's festival will screen ten films produced in five different countries. Standouts include Wild Horses and Renegades, which opens the festival and features Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Viggo Mortensen, Raoul Trukillo, Daryl Hannah, and Dances with Wolves author Michael Blake. The film focuses on the effects of corporate greed on our planet and is preceded by Return to the Forest, a William Shatner–narrated story about the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation. Also compelling, the November 4th screening of Maximum Tolerated Dose, which uses both documentary and traditional filmmaking to explore the world of animal testing from the perspectives of humans and animals. Two shorts follow the film. Woof is the uplifting story of a dog from street to shelter to home, all from the point of view of the dog, and Once There Were Polar Bears tells the history of Alaskan polar bears living on land and is set to a soundtrack from animal rights activist Moby.
The full lineup of showtimes and events can be found on the organization's ticket website, and many are expected to sell out.
