World Community Film Series: “Play Again”

Join Word Community 7pm Tues, Jan. 24 at North Island College Theatre, Courtenay for the final screening in our film series before the World Community Film Festival.  

PLAY AGAIN examines the consequences of the fact that most children play behind electronic screens more than they play outside. What are we missing when we are behind screens so much? And how will this impact our children, our society, and eventually, our planet? PLAY AGAIN explores the changing balance between the virtual and natural worlds. Is our connection to nature disappearing down the digital rabbit hole?

The average American child now spends over eight hours in front of a screen each day, can name hundreds of corporate logos, but less than ten native plants. These children are almost entirely out of contact with the world that, over millions of years of evolution, shaped human beings — the natural world. This moving and humorous documentary follows six teenagers who, like the “average American child,” spend five to fifteen hours a day behind screens. PLAY AGAIN unplugs these teens and takes them on their first wilderness adventure – no electricity, no cell phone coverage, no virtual reality. Through the voices of children and leading experts,

PLAY AGAIN investigates the consequences of a childhood removed from nature and encourages action for a sustainable future. The long-term consequences of this experiment on human development remain to be seen, but the stakes couldn’t be higher. By most accounts, this generation will face multiple crises — environmental, economic and social. Will this screen world have adequately prepared these “digital natives” to address the problems they’ll face, problems on whose resolution their own survival may depend? As we stand at a turning point in our relationship with earth, we find ourselves immersed in the gray area between the natural and virtual worlds. From a global perspective of wonder and hope, PLAY AGAIN examines this unique point in history.

Join us for a provocative film and discussion - Tues, Jan. 24th at 7pm at the North Island College Theatre.

Admission by donation –  Note: This film will not be screened in the World Community Film Festival.

World Community Membership

World Community membership is only $10/year (Family $20/year ) 

With a membership you will have full access to the Video Libraries at both Freakin Coffee Shop (TinTown, Courtenay) and Seeds Natural Food Market (Cumberland). Members also receive our e-newsletter with current World Community News and Events.

To become a member contact:

wcdes.cv@gmail.com with your name, ph. # and email address.

Then, select your membership type and pay using the Paypal button below.

Select your membership type

Single membership $10.00 CAD Family membership $20.00 CAD

World Community Film Festival

Give a Gift of Film…Film Festival Tickets!!

An opportunity to travel the world and experience first-hand the challenges, triumphs and hopes of others living in the global village awaits you! It’s time once again for the World Community Film Festival, held in Courtenay this Feb 3rd & 4th. 

A festival pass for Fri. & Sat. is $32, Fri eve $14,  Sat $22 (only $3 for youth on Sat.)

Tickets are available at the Sid Williams Theatre Box Office – Call 338-2430 or order online www.sidwilliamstheatre.com  Check out the schedule online www.worldcommunity.ca or look for the program guide in The Word newspaper.

For 20 years the film festival, deemed ‘the largest social issues filmfest in BC’, has been showing documentary style films about international topics that you may never hear about on the evening news.

The festival gets off to a start Friday night with the film, JustDo It. With unprecedented access, director EmilyJames spent over a year embedded in activist groups such as ClimateCamp and Plane Stupid, documenting their clandestine activities. JustDo It introduces you to a powerful cast of mischievous and inspiring characters who put their bodies in the way. They super-glue themselves to bank trading floors,blockade factories and attack coal power stations enmasse, all despite the very real threat of arrest. JustDo It is an absorbing, illuminating and at times very funny film.

With over 30 films shown in 4 different venues, Saturday is considered the main event of the festival and includes a family film program on Saturday afternoon.  Themes such as community economic development, environmental issues, human rights, social and women’s issues, native rights and international solidarity are explored with passion, hope and creativity.

When not viewing films, visit the Bazaar in the Upper Florence Filberg Centre where community groups will be on hand to give out information or to sell merchandise related to the various issues raised during the festival.   It’s also a great place to relax and have a snack! And make sure to reserve your seat for the popular banquet on Saturday evening.

See you there!!

World Community Fair Trade sale

World Community Screens ‘Consuming Kids’

The World Community Film Series continues with another thought provoking

and provocative sneak preview from our upcoming World Community Film Festival.

Consuming Kids: The Commercialization of Childhood

Tues. Nov. 29th, 7:30 pm

North Island College Theatre, Courtenay

(admission by donation)

Consuming Kids throws desperately needed light on the practices of a relentless multi-billion dollar marketing machine which sees North American children as one of the most powerful and profitable consumer demographics in the world. Drawing on the insights of health care professionals, children’s advocates, and industry insiders, the film focuses on the explosive growth of child marketing in the wake of deregulation. While youth marketers have used the latest advances in psychology, anthropology, and neuroscience to target this lucrative market, ordinary consumers will find that Consuming Kids helps them deal with the onslaught of holiday marketing that is aimed at us and our kids right now.

Consuming Kids pushes back against the industry which sells kids and their parents everything from junk food and violent video games to bogus educational products and the family car. Challenging the ethics of children’s marketing and the wholesale commercialization of childhood, this film has audiences looking at advertising aimed at children in a totally different light.

Get a head start on your film festival viewing, and a new perspective on the commercialization of childhood and what you can do about it this holiday season.

A 5 minute trailer can be viewed here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maeXjey_FGA

More info: 250-337-5412