2015 Eco Heros Draft

PRESS RELEASE For immediate release: PLANET IN FOCUS ANNOUNCES 2015 ECO-HEROES AWARDS presented to Dr. VANDANA SHIVA and AMY MILLAN Toronto – Wednesday , September 24, 2015: Planet in Focus (PIF) unveiled today the 2015 Eco-Heroes Award recipients for the 16th annual Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival taking place in Toronto on October 21-25. This year’s recipients are fearless activists and compelling creators whose works inspire global change. Dr. Vandana Shiva will be presented her award at the speaking event “An Evening with Dr. Vandana Shiva” during the Festival on October 21st, 2015 at the Isabel Bader Theatre. Amy Milan will be presented her Award at the Planet in Focus Opening Night Gala at The Royal Cinema. “Every year, Planet in Focus presents the Eco-Hero awards to individuals whose work as a filmmaker, artist or activist has inspired individuals to take action to create change. Dr Vandana Shiva is one of our generation’s greatest environmental activists and Amy Millan’s work to promote seed security contributes to the preservation of our planet,” commented Anne Mark, Executive Director of Planet in Focus. More about the Planet in Focus 2015 Eco-Heroes; International Eco-Hero: Activist, Author & Scientist Dr Vandana Shiva Dr. Vandana Shiva is an author, scientist, environmentalist and modern-day revolutionary, who for forty years has been fighting a heroic battle on behalf of humanity and the ecologically besieged natural systems that we are part of. She has spent much of her life in the defense and celebration of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge particularly as it pertains to seeds, farming, human rights, and the anti-globalization movement. She has helped movements in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Ireland, Switzerland and Austria with their campaigns against genetic engineering. In 2003, when the US initiated a dispute against the EU to remove the bans and moratoria on genetically modified crops and foods, Dr. Shiva launched a global citizens campaign on GMOs in the WTO. Dr. Shiva was one of the first Honorary Patrons of Planet in Focus, along with Dr. David Suzuki. Canadian Eco-Hero: Activist and Musician, Amy Millan Amy Millan is a Canadian indie rock singer and guitarist. She has recorded and performed with the bands Stars and Broken Social Scene as well as having a successful solo career. However her current role as an environmental activist and leader. Working with friends at USC Canada, she spearheaded the I Am A Seed Saver campaign to promote awareness of biodiversity, farmers’ rights and ecological agriculture. Amy helped develop the campaign, recruit the creative team that executed it, and was the spark that brought Sam Roberts, Jim Cuddy and Leslie Feist to join in and speak about why seeds are important to them. We salute Amy as an inspiration and reminder that there is an environmental activist in all of us. About Planet in Focus Foundation The Planet in Focus Foundation is a non-for-profit, and now, member driven, charitable organization whose mission is to promote environmental education and conservation by raising awareness of environmental issues through a variety of film-based initiatives including; the Planet in Focus Environmental Film & Video Festival (PIF), the School Programs such as the Festival Field Trip and UN World Environment Day Student Film Festival, and the new monthly screening series Salon Vert that showcases the best environmental films from Canada and around the world. For more information visit: planetinfocus.org or connect with us on Twitter @PlanetInFocus or Facebook at www.facebook.com/planetinfocus. Media Contact: Angie Burns | Strut Entertainment Telephone: 416.861.0387 | Email: [email protected] .

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