It’s about the birds and the bees. It’s about organic. It’s about coffee, ripe peaches, and solutions, and it’s coming to the One Eleven Evelyn Theater for a three day film festival in just a few short days.

Produced by Barry Snitken and presented by the Siskiyou Project, the Siskiyou Film Fest will feature films that focus on key environmental issues such as fair trade and organic agriculture, while provoking thought on the important subjects of oil consumption and alternative fuels. One of the most mysterious problems seen in recent times will also be addressed - the reported disappearance of a vast majority of honeybees from the hives of beekeepers across the nation.

The festival’s opening night will begin with wine served by the internationally recognized Troon Vineyard, along with delicious foods prepared by Chef Marilyn. Illustrations by local artist Paula Fong (http://www.prfong.com) , done in watercolor with pen and ink, will be on display, and host Patsy Smullen of KOBI 5 will host the night’s film offerings, which will kick off with Ryan’s Well. This story outlines the efforts of a determined child who to help provide clean water to a poor area of Uganda, Africa. Ryan Hreljec’s efforts have blossomed into Ryan’s Well Foundation and the provision of over 319 clean water wells thus far, liquid proof that one person can make a world of difference.

After The Organic Opportunity and the Siskiyou Field institute presentation, the gala night will wind down with a short interview with Call to Renewal founder Rev. Jim Wallis and close with a film called “Kilowatt Hours”. In this last video, filmmaker Jeff Barrie will lead viewers through various parts of the country, showing how solutions to the energy crisis can be resolved without putting into action the massive electric plant expansion project recommended by Dick Cheney and his National Energy Policy Development Group.

A slight change of pace will occur on Friday evening as The Shift offers insight to the environmental movement and encourages individuals to become more aware of who they are inside, and what they can offer to the land. The evening ends with an exciting undersea adventure with Pacific reef sharks.

On Saturday morning, it’s all about the children! A series of short but delightful kids films will discuss everything from vegetables to turtles to wombat wisdom, culminating in an introduction to some new feathery friends, courtesy of Wildlife Images, who will be bringing in birds of prey to meet and greet guests.

Next is a special afternoon segment for teens, with offerings that range from purely strange to the dramatically imaginative. The festival will then return to its normal schedule. This final night will start off by introducing the story of 13 grandmothers from various parts of the globe, then move to another ocean trip to visit places off the Oregon coast. The festival will conclude with a buzz as the final film rolls - The Vanishing of the Honeybees”.

Tickets for the event may be purchased at the following locations:

1. The Creative Alternative

229 S W G St., Grants Pass

2. Online: http://siskiyoufilmfest.org/tickets/tickets.html

3. By credit card, directly from the Siskiyou Project, by calling 541-592-4459

For more information on the festival and a complete schedule of events and times, please visit the Siskiyou Project internet site at this location: http://www.siskiyoufilmfest.org/index.php

1. Old Dog Documentaries granted permission to use clip from “birdsong & coffee”, available at http://www.olddogdocumentaries.com/index.htm

2. The producer of “Vanishing of the Bees” granted permission to use the film’s trailer, available here: http://www.vanishingbees.com/

3. The producer of “Buyer Be Fair” granted permission to use this video clip: http://www.buyerbefair.org/film_summary.html