The first festival was this weekend at the Magnolia Film Festival in Starksville, MS. WOAO? kept the food conversation going as Saturday night’s feature film.

The second festival will take place in none other then the sunshine state itself at the Florida Film Festival in Maitland, Fl on April 10th. WOAO? was selected to kick off the Food Focused Film weekend! As always, if you’re in the area stop on by it should be a great time.

And while the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival has come and gone, we still have a lasting impression of the warmth and fun we had there, plus a fun interview to snack on! Check out the interview from See Jane Do with Shelley and WOAO?’s very own Marty Mesh! Hear what inspired Shelley to make WOAO?, Marty’s thoughts on the future of organic growing and their comments on natural vs organic: http://www.livestream.com/cognizantproductions/video?clipId=flv_0cb26468-a5f5-4ae4-8c64-e593ab9c9983

And speaking of some tasty multi-media press, tune in to Heritage Radio Network at 1 pm today to hear Shelley joining Hungry Filmmaker’s co-curator, Cathy Erway, on her show, Let’s Eat In. Ana Joanes, director of FRESH, will be there as well, so we’re excited to start talking about eating food, having babies, writing books, and making films as we gear up for the 2nd Installment of Hungry Filmmakers this Tuesday, February 23rd! If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, get one soon: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/93405 And check out our listing in the NY Times Dining Calendar!

Plus, DVDs will be out to manufacture soon and WOAO? website is being updated, dandified & expanded as we speak! Check back soon for more features…

OH, and very important–the comment period has been extended to March 3rd regarding Genetically Engineered Crop contamination, so DON’T FORGET to tell USDA to keep GE Alfafa OUT of our food system! Here’s the True Food Network’s easy Action Page: http://ga3.org/campaign/alfalfaEIS?rk=V1WKc_9aH2M2E

Enjoy!

Shelley and the WOAO? team

Back by popular demand, the food documentary film screening and discussion event Hungry Filmmakers will return to Anthology Film Archives on Tuesday, February 23, 2010. This follows the incredibly enthusiastic response to the inaugural Hungry Filmmakers in December, which featured upcoming films by Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis, Mascha and Manfred Poppenk, and was moderated by Anna Lappé. The organizers hope to grow the series and its community of filmmakers and fans with another exciting lineup of screenings.

Hungry Filmmakers aims to showcase the work of filmmakers who are dedicated to furthering sustainable food dialogue in a social, friendly environment that allows for deeper discussion. Offering viewers a sampling rather than a full screening of each, the program includes ten-minute excerpts of each of the featured films. Kerry Trueman, editor of EatingLiberally.org, will moderate a panel discussion with the directors and/or producers following the screenings. Throughout the films in this lineup, our filmmakers explore the dire effects of over fishing and the underlying causes of food-borne illnesses; the lack of fresh food in underserved communities, and the growth of sustainable food production practices that are inspirational to all.

The films:
FRESH Ana Sofia Joanes
MAD COW INVESTIGATOR Nancye Good
WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE? Catherine Gund
THE END OF THE LINE Rupert Murray
FLY ON THE WALL Jenny Montasir

When: February 23, 2010
Anthology Film Archives
32 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Screenings begin promptly at 7:00 p.m.
$15 at door and in advance: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/93405 (link on http://hungryfilmmakers.blogspot.com/)

A reception will follow in the theatre lobby with complimentary snacks, Lagunitas beer and wine from T Edwards. BYOC (bring your own cup) strongly encouraged if you wish to have a drink.

Hungry Filmmakers is a not-for-profit event hosted by Shelley Rogers, Cathy Erway, Jimmy’s No. 43 and Tim Lynch. Proceeds will be donated to the nonprofit organization Just Food, which works to promote access of fresh, seasonal, sustainable grown food for all New York City residents.

Jimmy’s No. 43 is a bar and restaurant that is committed to supporting the local arts and sustainable food communities. Awarded “Best Bar with Good Food” by New York Magazine, “Favorite NY Pubs” by Forbes and a “Snail of Approval” for its use of local farm-sourced ingredients from Slow Food NYC, Jimmy’s No. 43 hosts many events and fundraisers, and founded the Good Beer Seal bar community.

Anthology Film Archives is an international center for the preservation, study and exhibition of film and video with a particular focus on American avant-garde cinema.