Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival 2008

The Ones That Got Away -- In addition to pollution, deforestation and overpopulation, one of the greatest threats to the planet's ecology is the continuing devastation of the world's fisheries. In particular, Third World countries are faced with the almost insurmountable challenge of competing for a precious natural resource with Western countries boasting modern industrial vessels that strip the seas with alarmingly destructive efficiency. Cry Sea examines this growing crisis in the seas of Senegal. Having emptied the European seas of fish, gigantic fishing trawlers are now targeting Africa. Unable to compete with this 'European Invasion', Senegalese fishermen are being driven out of business. Again and again, local fisherman cast their nets into the sea, only to pull them back empty and are now being forced to risk their lives going further into deeper water in search of fish, while some species have disappeared entirely. At a fish processing plant in Kayar, the scale of the industry's collapse is apparent. Why the fishing treaties between European nations and West African nations are so unequitable, also raises the possibility of corruption at the highest government levels. It's believed that 50% of Senegal's fish are now caught by these industrial trawlers shipped to Europe. With the orcountry's population growing and a precious food resource dwindling, the chances of a gigantic human tragedy are being cast out upon the water. Please note: Online ticket sales end 24 hours before each event. Tickets may still be available for purchase at the venue.

"It will inspire others to re-examine a conflict that has waged for generations." ABC 7 News Los Angeles “…Absorbing drama.” Los Angeles Times “Four hundred and eleven years after Shakespeare published 'Romeo and Juliet,' the bard is alive and well." Malibu Times Jerusalem: A city of contrasts and conflicts, where Arabs, Jews, Christians and Muslims all mix but seldom mingle. This is where David, a young Israeli Jew, and Fatima, a beautiful Palestinian Muslim girl, meet and fall in love. In a volatile land that is steeped in tradition and soaked in blood, their love is forbidden. Despite their best efforts to keep their romance a secret, their friends and families find out the truth. Their reactions are swift and violent. David and Fatima must act quickly to avoid losing each other forever. Willing to risk all for the sake of love, they elope in a land where marriage between them is impossible and the consequences of being together - deadly. In this dramatic story of love, destiny, and the search for peace in the Holy Land, David and Fatima struggle to beat the odds and in doing so challenge not only their families but Fate itself. Please note: Online ticket sales end 24 hours before each event. Tickets may still be available for purchase at the venue.

Cinema of Conscience

This film is a coming of age romance set in the high octane world of Brighton's Boy Racers and Indie Punks. 18 year old Brent Black lives on the roughest estate in Brighton with his alcoholic dad and disabled kid brother. He's got an old Ford Capri with a supercharged V8 engine, and he's the leader of teen Boy Racer gang the Dolphins. This is his life. His world.

What does a grounded life of creative expression look and feel like in today's world? It is difficult to find, even among the most committed of artists in any medium, someone whose work is an unbroken rhythm with her life. Karen Karnes is such an artist. The constancy, the slow and even pacing, the focus and simplicity of her life are the context of her art --which comes not from her head, not from her ambition nor even from experimentation. Her work grows from her body and from her life.

Arts In Film

"The Field of Stars", a magically still place far out from the city where time seems to have stopped, holds several tales of love, friendship and nostalgia of better times. Alfonso meets a young cyclist coming down from a misty road; with the help of his old-time friends, he will slowly transform him into a big champion. Luisa, tired of traditionally conservative men, plans to leave the village to seek for a better life in the city. And Nanda, an aged mother is forced to battle his own son to protect the place where all were raised from the inevitable changes of life.

US Cinema

In a large Ugandan city, everyone has a niche to fill; food venders play a vital role of getting cheap food from preparers to the people working in the streets and offices of the busy city. The film is an opportunity to see a unique way of life, where people have niches to fill that allows them to make a meager living with grace and dignity. Please note: Online ticket sales end 24 hours before each event. Tickets may still be available for purchase at the venue.