“Chasing Ice” to close Planet in Focus fest

September 24, 2012 by Kelly Anderson

Toronto’s 13th annual Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival will close with the Canadian premiere of Jeff Orlowski’s doc Chasing Ice (pictured).

The film’s subject, National Geographic photographer James Balog, will be in attendance at the screening to receive the fest’s International Eco Hero Award.

The fest, which opens with Caroline Bâcle’s documentary Lost Rivers, will also screen a special presentation of Candida Brady’s Trashed, which sees Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons investigating all matters regarding trash, in a journey that takes him from Iceland to Indonesia.

This year, in honor of the United Nations’ International Year of Sustainable Energy, Planet in Focus will highlight films that explore innovative ideas on renewable energy and other sustainable activities.

Other highlights of the five-day festival include the Toronto premiere of Occupy Love from Canadian filmmaker and activist Velcrow Ripper, the world premiere of Andrew Nisker’s Orange Witness, and the Canadian premiere of Wavumba from Jeroen van Velzen, who was named best new documentary director at the Tribeca Film Festival.

The Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival takes place October 10 to 14 at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Tags: Andrew Nisker, Chasing Ice, James Balog, Jeff Orlowski, Jeroen van Velzen, Planet In Focus Environmental Film Festival, Velcrow Ripper