March 15, 2014, New York, NY
DamNation has won the SXSW Film 2014 Audience Award in the Documentary Spotlight category, the festival announced today, following the film’s world premiere at SXSW on March 10.
The filmmakers expressed their gratitude to festivalgoers for the positive reception, celebrating the news as a sign that the urgent issue of dam removal is resonating and will continue to build momentum as the film tours across the country.
DamNation is a film odyssey across America that explores the sea change in our national attitude from pride in big dams as engineering wonders to the growing awareness that our own future is bound to the life and health of our rivers. The film is produced by Patagonia in association with Stoecker Ecological & Felt Soul Media.
“Premiering DamNation at SXSW was a dream come true for Travis and I, and a dream come true for the film,” said Co-Director Ben Knight. “I honestly can’t even wrap my head around the fact that we won the audience award yet, it feels very surreal. I could feel an energy build during the film at our screenings in Austin, our audiences were just amazing.”
“After pouring ourselves into DamNation, it is incredible to see the film resonate so deeply with our audiences,” said Co-Director Travis Rummel. “We’re so appreciative to Patagonia for trusting us with the creative freedom needed to bring this critical story to life.”
“The health of our rivers impacts all of us, and we have too many degraded rivers with unnecessary and obsolete dams,” said Ecologist and Producer Matt Stoecker. “I’m thrilled to see audiences connect with our film and help us build momentum to free our rivers.”
Reviews:
“Damnation portrays the fictional “Monkey Wrench Gang” coming to life as we enter into the mindset of those who can no longer sit back and watch the planet and the rivers be destroyed.” – Huffington Post
“A highly entertaining investigation…” – ION Cinema
DamNation, 87 min, U.S., 2014. Directed by Ben Knight and Travis Rummel. Produced by Matt Stoecker and Travis Rummel. Editor: Ben Knight. Director of Photography: Ben Knight. Director of Underwater Photography: Matt Stoecker. Associate Producer: Beda Calhoun. Executive Producer: Yvon Chouinard. Featuring: David James Duncan, David Montgomery, Elmer Crow, Rebecca Miles Jim Waddell, Floyd Dominy, Katie Lee, Lee Spencer and Mikal Jakubal.
DamNation is available for pre-order. Use promo code DNPRE and save 15% when you pre-order DamNation from Vimeo On Demand.
DAMNATION SCREENINGS (many more will be added soon)
3.22.14 – EcoFocus Film Festival – Athens, GA
3.23.14 – Treefort Film Festival – Boise, ID
3.30.14 – DC Environmental Film Festival – Washington DC
4.03.13 – Colorado River Summit – Salt Lake City, UT
4.04.14 – Full Frame Film Festival – Durham, NC
4.05.14 – Environmental Film Festival @ Yale – New Haven, CT
4.05.14 – Sarasota Film Festival – Sarasota, FL
4.15.14 – International Wildlife Film Festival – Missoula, MT
4.17.14 – Portland Eco Film Festival @ Hollywood Theater – Portland, OR
4.26.14 – 5Point Film Festival – Carbondale, CO
5.09.14 – IFC one-week theatrical run – New York City, NY
5.09.14 – Hollywood Theater one-week theatrical run – Portland, OR
5.16.14 – Laemmle NoHo 7 one-week theatrical run- North Hollywood, CA
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