Blog posting by Karly Placek, Documentary Studies and Production '15, FLEFF Social Media Manager, Monroe, Wisconsin 

I'm over in Williams 202 live blogging with Kelly Matheson, Program Manager for the Americas for Witness. She's about to discuss the TRUST  Campaign regarding climate change awareness.There's still time to join if you aren't here already. If you can't make it, here are some highlights! 

4:05 p.m. - Matheson discusses the main issues we, as inhabitants of Earth, face due to climate change. 

4:07 p.m. - UN predicts that by 2050, one in seven people will have to be relocated due to food and water shortages. 

4:15 p.m. - Matheson discusses the rights inherent to future generations - the concept of  "intergenerational justice." 

4:19 p.m. -  "We have a basic human right to a stable environment." 

4:21 p.m. -  Young environmentalists are urging the local and national government to adapt a Comprehensive Climate Recovery plan to protect the atmosphere - but it must be based on carbon science instead of carbon politics. 

4:25 p.m. -  One of the TRUST campaign videos is screened. It features Nelson Kanuk, an Alaskan teen suing the government for neglecting his basic human rights regarding environmental health. He and his family live a sustainable lifestyle and depend directly upon the environment for their food and resources. 

4:35 p.m. - There are two audiences for action campaign videos. One is the broad audience, who raise awareness on issues. The other audience is among the decision makers in governmental power - those who can make legal change. 

4:40 p.m. - "We try to go from close up shots to wide shots." This is about the individual as well as the world. 

4:45 p.m. - We watch another TRUST Campaign video. This time, Massachusetts teen Eshe Sherley is featured. She urges the  government to think about incorporating local and healthy food initiatives into public school systems. 

4:55 p.m. - The Public Trust Doctrine is everywhere - it is applicable in every sovereign state, whereas legislation such as the Clean Air Act is only recognized in certain areas. 

5:01 p.m. - Discussion of the NEPA Act - The government must know the social, environmental, and cultural consequences of acts regarding the environment. 

5:05 p.m. -  "A true listener listens with the willingness to help." - Eshe Sherley. Matheson remarks that this is one of the most important things she has learned. 

Much thanks to Kelly Matheson for an excellent presentation! I'm eager to learn more about environmental policies and what I can do to help. Check out Witness's TRUST Campaign for more information on how you can get involved. 

Blog posting by Karly Placek, Documentary Studies and Production '15, FLEFF Social Media Manager, Monroe, Wisconsin 

The countdown is on. We are a little over a month away from FLEFF and the excitement among the blogging staff is palpable. 

Working as a Social Media Manager this year constantly keeps me on my toes. I'm always learning more about the personalities and passions of my fellow bloggers and my admiration for the team grows with each day. While we've only assembled as a team about two months ago, the feats we've accomplished and the bond we've created as a micro-community are truly remarkable. 

Our journey hasn't been easy. We've faced a few roadblocks with our flash mob strategies. In the beginning of the semester, we determined that many small, on-the-fly flash mobs would be effective in getting the word out about FLEFF. Theories often differ from practice. Upon hitting the streets and assembling for flash mobs, we discovered that careful planning and a larger amount of flash mob participants would actually be more beneficial. Spreading information on the streets via word of mouth does indeed work, but large, organized group events can work wonders. I've always believed that success is comprised of one part knowledge and two parts mistake. We've made some mistakes but we've learned immensely from them. We now have an arsenal of surprises for the public - so watch out! 

As the festival draws closer, I'm eager to see how the blogging staff and intern staff will collaborate together. On March 3rd, the entire staff's skills will be put to the test as we attend the Upstate Filmmakers Showcase  at downtown Ithaca's premiere movie theater,Cinemapolis. I hope all of the interns engage with other audience members and take advantage of the intellectually stimulating conversation that will take place. I have faith in the passion of my fellow interns and am expecting the showcase to be a moving experience! 

The road to come on our FLEFF 2013 adventure is sure to be bumpy - but our staff knows how to enjoy the ride. What are you eager to see the FLEFF interns overcome this year? 

 Blog posting written by Karly Placek, Documentary Studies and Production '15, FLEFF Blogger, Monroe, Wisconsin 

 Look down at your feet. 

Are they moving? In fact, when's the last time you stood up? Walked around? 

Sedentary lifestyles are becoming far too common. Even I spend most of my day sitting - in the classroom, at my desk, in my car. We are becoming immobile. 

Our children are stuck indoors while childhood obesity skyrockets. We want to go to the gym, but we're too busy with work. And after all, our cubicles only offer us 4 feet to pace around in. 

We need Mobilities now more than ever. Mobilities are what move us. Mobilities are a call to action . Mobilities are the pains in our rear that remind us that we need to get up and do. 

 This year at FLEFF, the movers and shakers of the world will assemble. Those who understand the dangers of an immobile world will unite. Voices from dGenerate Films ,  who specialize in  banned Chinese political films, will collaborate with the minds of Fulbright scholars from around the world. FLEFF creates a community for active  conversation, for moving ideas. We will not only get up, we will run to a sustainable, mobile future. 

FLEFF is mobile. 

Are you? 

 Blog posting by Karly Placek, Documentary Studies and Production '15, FLEFF Blogger, Monroe, Wisconsin 

Hey FLEFF fanatics, 

It's the year of Mobilities, so let's get moving! 

My name is Karly Placek and I'm pumped to be blogging and managing social media for FLEFF 2013! 

I'm a sophomore Documentary Studies and Production major with minors in Honors and Anthropology. 

This year is all about movement. Mobility has been a reoccurring theme in my life as I've traveled throughout most of the United States and a few other countries.  I even moved from my small farming town of  Monroe, Wisconsin to Ithaca, New York for college. I hope to continue moving throughout my life as I take my future career in documentary and new media overseas. 

I'm out to discover new ideas about the human relationship with the environment during FLEFF 2013. As president of the Ithaca College Animal Rights community organization,I'm extremely interested in our society's dependance on animals as resources. I can't wait to meet our eco-centric guests this year! 

I'm also excited about FLEFF's new partnership with EngageMedia, an international social justice and environmental awareness media forum. EngageMedia allows voices from countries such as Indonesia, Thailand and Papua New Guinea to speak out about local issues with global effects. I can't wait to learn more about international environmental issues and maybe even contribute a short video featuring issues happening in Ithaca.

 What environmental issues in Ithaca do you think need to be broadcasted internationally? 

Blog posting written by Andrew Ronald, Film, Photography & Visual Arts '15, FLEFF Intern, Mahopac, NY

It has been really exciting for us FLEFF interns to get to know each other, and as a blogger, I took the liberty in getting to know my fellow colleagues I will be working with at the festival. I would like to introduce all you FLEFF activists to the spunky and ambitious Karly Placek, a freshman at Ithaca College majoring in Documentary Studies and Production. Karly is from Monroe, Wisconsin, and if you ever happen to be in the area, she highly recommends Brennan's Market, the cheese store where she works, or just a good field to go cow tipping in. 

ANDREW RONALD - What made you interested in becoming a FLEFF intern?

KARLY PLACEK - I was interested in the international aspects of it. I wanted to meet new people from different cultures and share ideas about art and media

AR - On that note, what have your experiences been like so far and have they upheld what made you originally interested in joining FLEFF?

KP - I like getting the chance to meet other kids at different schools [on campus] that I normally wouldn’t collaborate with. It has been interesting to brainstorm different ideas for the festival with them. These students come from such different backgrounds and I think it’s really great that we all get the chance to work together. 

AR - Because FLEFF explores the theme of microtopias this year, how would you define this term in your own words?

KP - To me, microtopias are places that are created when people understand that ideas aren’t necessarily accepted in society as a whole. They are, in fact, created on a smaller scale to unite people with comment interests.

AR - How effectively do you think the interns this year are promoting FLEFF through social media and other forms of communication?

KP - I think FLEFF interns this year are doing a good job about getting the word out about FLEFF. Not only are they utilizing Facebook and Twitter, but they are working on promoting public relations via word of mouth, posters and stickers. 

AR - The screening of Oka! kickstarted the FLEFF experience unofficially last Sunday. What did you think of the film and the director?

KP - I absolutely loved it, and I think that has to do a lot with my global interests. Anything about Africa sparks my interest and I am personally an active member of Invisible Children, a club that aims to resolve conflicts in Africa. Having the director there brought me so much insight that I had never experienced in a film before. She really served as an example that I could emulate in the future with my own personal filmmaking career and anthropological exploration.

AR - What are you most looking forward to?

KP - I am most interested in meeting the directors and brainchildren behind international films and new media projects. I want to get advice from them and see what my career could actually be like in the real world. They have a lot to offer and I have a lot to learn.