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Photos: Courtesy of Mammoth Lakes Film Festival F ilm buffs may want to head to the mountains Memori- al Day weekend, as the Mammoth Lakes Film Festival, a fi ve-day festival that screens independent features and shorts, takes place May 24–28th. The annual fest is open- ing for the third year in a pristine mountain setting that allows festival orga- nizers to offer fi lmmakers and attendees alike a view of unique fi lms amid a beautiful setting fi lled with natural wonders. MLFF was named as one of the "Top 50 Festivals Worth Your Entry Fee" by Movie Maker Magazine in 2016, in part because of their nurturing atmosphere. According to festival founder Shira Dubrovner, "Because we are nestled high in the Eastern Sierras we are fortunate enough to have nature right in our backyard. We keep everything in walking distance and many hiking trails are right off the walking paths to the screening venues." She adds that being reconnected to nature through the beautiful setting "does something to the spirit that is undeniable. I'm excited and proud to be a part of that experience. We kind of leave Hollywood at the entrance to the town, and just get back to everyone's creative roots. When you're inspired in a natural setting, the walls come down, and it's just artist to artist, fi lmmaker to audience." Many of the fi lms also highlight the region and its ecology. "We always try to fi nd fi lms that help celebrate this beautiful landscape we live in," Dubrovner notes. "We love to fi nd fi lm- makers and cinephiles that can come and be inspired, not only by the fi lms but by the landscape of the area. We also partner with many local companies that are green and eco-friendly that support the festival without leaving a huge carbon footprint." In 2016, MLFF screened fi lms such as the documentary Learn- ing to See, in which director Jake Oelman presented his father, insect photographer Robert Oelman's transformational journey to fi nd and document the Amazon's strangest creatures, and preserve them. The narrative comedy Buddymoon, about a jilt- ed groom and his excitable best man on a backpacking trip to the Oregon wilderness, was both a hilarious friendship story and an ode to the great outdoors. Nature also played a pivotal role in Bodkin Ras, in which a young fugitive lands in a hidden, iso- lated Scottish town, surrounded by forest and sea. This year's offerings will feature fi lms with a message about, or setting in, nature. In addition, the festival works with suppliers that have an eco-friendly focus. "Our local coffee house, Stellar Brew, which sponsors our fi lmmakers' continental breakfast, is not only or- ganic but they buy local which helps the economy of the area and keeps their car- bon footprint low," Dubrovner explains. "They just won an award from the Cham- ber of Commerce for their eco-friendly business practices." In short, fi lmmakers and fi lm-lovers alike can expect get their "green screen" on at Mammoth Mountain, where a small but beloved fi lm festival is offering cinematic marvels to match the area's natural ones. The festival is being held May 24 –28. Visit www.mammothlakesfi lmfestival.com. HAPPY ROCK AAENCY -- WE NEED HELP! Too mmnn lemds in EVERY countn in CA, not enouuh muents! FULL AND PART TIIE POSITIONS IIIEDIATELY AVAILABLE! Responsibilities mre simple mnd nour hmrd work is rewmrded! NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY -- WE WILL TRAIN YOU! * EARN ALL-EXPENSES PAID TRIPS OF A LIFETIIE EVERY YEAR! * ADVANCEIENT AVAILABLE EVERY 2 IONTHS * IAKE AVERAAE $500 A SALE * VISIT HTTP://HAPPYROCKAAENCY.COO TO SCHEDULE YOUR INTERVIEW, OR CALL US AT (800) 445-3004 travel MAMMOTH LAKES FILM FESTIVAL Green Screens By Genie Davis 32 wholelifetimes.com