LOOKING TO THE FUTURE THERE HAS NEVER BEEN Every year, we learn more about our planet, the issues impacting it, the people on the frontlines of conservation and science, and how better !A MORE CRITICAL TIME to make ACFF a tool for positive change. As we enter 2020, ACFF has to support organizations working to protect a renewed commitment to present the most compelling, contemporary our environment, further scientific study, films about conservation issues, sustain programs and events that PO BOX 889 and raise awareness on conservation issues. engage people of diverse ages and backgrounds, and support filmmakers Shepherdstown, WV 25443 We hope you recognize the important role and film projects that make a profound and lasting difference. ACFF plays in these efforts and will support With the support of individuals, businesses, foundations, and conservationfilmfest.org us with your donation of any amount. community partners LIKE YOU, we can: We need and appreciate your help! Giving online is easy: INFORM a diverse audience about OFFER resources that facilitate further understanding and Visit conservationfilmfest.org/donate local and global conservation issues and actions we can take to exploration, opportunities to “As a student filmmaker, I was in and hit the DONATE button! help preserve nature, culture, and convert inspiration into action, and awe at my time here. Equally Or mail a check to ACFF, P.O. Box 889, well-being for all. connections to the causes and informative and intimate, I had organizations that will help people real one on one time with Shepherdstown, WV 25443. INSPIRE filmmakers, audience make a positive difference. professionals. I hope one day I members, and students interested can give back to the festival as in conservation issues, education, STRENGTHEN local and regional much as it gave me this communities through education, and storytelling. weekend!” WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL for the generous support of partnerships, tourism, and special so many sponsors, grantors, volunteers, community partners, ENGAGE partners in the events. — ABBY MELLINGER, STUDENT FILMMAKER & WORKSHOP PARTICIPANT and individuals who make our efforts possible. environmental, science, and media fields to help design, teach and Special thanks to these patrons in 2019: promote educational programs for BECOME AN ACFF AMBASSADOR! ALDO LEOPOLD $5,000+ CONSERVATIONIST FUND students and aspiring filmmakers. HHMI Tangled Bank Studios MEMBERS $1,000+ • Volunteer at the festival and special events – it’s easy and fun. PROVIDE access to select ACFF The Campbell Foundation John C. Allen, Jr. • Promote our events and programs – word of mouth is so powerful. Randy Barber & Melissa Moye films to schools, community Nora Roberts Foundation • Bring your kids and friends – lots to learn and actions to take. Oak Spring Garden Foundation Martin & Elise Baach groups, and organizations and give Shepherd University John Bresland & Beth Batdorf greater exposure for filmmakers • Join us in our mission to engage, inform, and inspire – your Frances Brolle and the critical issues they explore RACHEL CARSON $2500+ participation and support makes all the difference! John Deupree & Sara Reynolds EcoLab through their films. Edward Ewing Shepherdstown Art Glass & Jewelry Mina Goodrich & Lawrence Dean Tito’s Handmade Vodka Nicholas Snow & Cathleen McCoy JOHN MUIR $1500+ George & Holly Stone Schutte & Yenser Wealth Hank Willard 12% Management of Raymond James INCOME 12% EXPENSES Fundraising ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERS Program Sustainable Solutions Barns of Rose Hill JANE GOODALL Contemporary American Theater 13% 39% 15% $1000+ Individuals Grants General Admin15% The Allemall Foundation Festival 2019 FINANCIAL Friends of the National Conservation DCEFF – Environmental Film Training Center (NCTC) Festival in the Nation’s Capital SNAPSHOT 73% 36% Programming Harrison & Johnston, PLC Eastern Panhandle Green Coalition Sponsorships Jefferson Arts Council Electric Vehicle Association of River’s Edge Landscapes Greater Washington DC Route 11 Potato Chips Endangered Species Coalition Winchester Gastroenterology Freedom’s Run Associates Friends of NCTC International League of Conservation JACQUES COUSTEAU $500+ Photographers Blue Ridge Smiles Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival Bistro 112 Long Branch Historic House & Farm Flying Dog Brewery US F&WS National Conservation The Hive House Training Center Jefferson County Convention & Potomac Valley Audubon Society Visitors Bureau Shenandoah University Kinnett CPAs, Inc. Shepherd University Skinner Law Firm Shepherdstown Film Society Sierra Club, Catoctin Group L TO R: Pitch Panel award winners Jessica HOSPITALITY SPONSOR YEAR IN REVIEW Sky Meadows State Park Wiegandt & Sarah Koenigsberg; Workshop Clarion Hotel & Quality Inn, Sustainability Matters participants Andy Espinosa & Taylor White Shepherdstown The Hill School from Shenandoah University; Nikki Stamps, MEDIA SPONSOR Weinberg Center for the Arts Belinda Burwell, and bird ambassadors at Music Planet Radio Wildlife Vet Care Barns of Rose Hill Best of Fest. Stella van Hilst at Leskey Lab’s Bug Petting Zoo at the 2019 Festival 2019 Student filmmaker award winners Tito Barbosa, Mycologist William Padilla Brown sharing mushroom knowledge Jennifer Lee & Hilary Lo at the Short Film Spring Fling Paige Marsicano, and Lizzie Bankowski

MISSION The mission of the American Conservation Film Festival is to present conservation-focused films and programs that engage, inform, and inspire.

Molly Bloom, Jen Rolston, and Christa Matrangelo Joyce at the festival dance party Green Fire Award winner Josh Murphy Conservation Filmmaker Workshop participants INITIATIVES CURATE and present contemporary films on conservation issues. 2019 HIGHLIGHTS “LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this film fest. So inspiring. SUPPORT emerging filmmakers and new film Leaves me craving more.” —AUDIENCE MEMBER projects. THE AMERICAN CONSERVATION FILM FESTIVAL... “Hilary and the team run a really great program and PROVIDE educational, interactive opportunities I appreciate their being very forward thinking taking for filmmakers, audience members, and youth. Screened 58 conservation filmson a wide variety of topics Welcomed 11 guest speakers to special events and the Offereddozens of Take Action items on our website related an interest in exposing the topic of unsustainable population growth and its impact on the PARTNER with organizations, businesses, and including environmental activism, scientific discovery, festival on topics ranging from the role of raptors to to festival films to inspire direct involvement in conservation environment.” –FILMMAKER individuals to share information and strengthen climate change, wildlife preservation, energy alternatives, maintaining hope in a time of environmental distress. issues. resources. sustainable agriculture, water quality, human population, Welcomed 11 filmmakersto the festival from California, Involved over 35 volunteers in helping with events, “You can get an instant understanding of the impact and more. you can engender by being an ACFF sponsor. Florida, Washington, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, programs, and planning. Reviewed, curated, and selected the best 39 films from and Washington, DC. Responsible living on this planet is, perhaps, the BOARD & STAFF most pressing issue for humans, and the festival over 300 submissions for the annual film festival. Presented 3 free educational and entertaining events Awarded cash prize awards for excellence in 8 film and programs for youth: a special screening of Backyard provides vivid reminders why.” —SPONSOR Alexandra Hazel, PRESIDENT Shared films with over 2,000 people in the tri-state region. categories: Green Fire, Short Film, Foreign Film, Student Wilderness at the National Conservation Training Center; Elise Baach, VICE-PRESIDENT Film, Green Spark Awards in three categories, and Audience “Thank you again for inviting me to be a part of your a wildlife film followed by a Bug Petting Zoo at the festival; Janna Bond, SECRETARY Hosted and/or partnered in 12 special screenings at 10 Choice Award. amazing film festival. It was a wonderful experience and the Next Gen Capture Conservation video contest, venues in 8 towns or cities including Frederick, MD, and I was really impressed by all the students! I’ll Mark Burgess, CPA, TREASURER Presented the 8th annual Conservation Filmmaker open to all students 18 and under. Middleburg, VA, Shepherdstown, WV, Winchester, VA, and definitely come back to check out the film festival Jeffrey Gustafson Workshop, providing instruction and networking beyond. Completed a 2-year archive digitizing and cataloging in the future.” —FILMMAKER WORKSHOP PRESENTER opportunities to 26 emerging and seasoned filmmakers Michael Hobert project, where Shepherd University intern Anna Perkins Presented 13 programs and special events during the from 9 conservation media experts. “If you’re a filmmaker considering submitting or Dennis Liu digitized and compiled over 400 films from the ACFF festival, including a vegetarian food tasting, display of attending, the folks at ACFF are SO generous to Bill McShea electric cars, discussion on human population, presentation Gave 7 scholarships to student filmmakers to assist archives, 2003 to 2014. These films are now safely stored their filmmakers. They were kind enough to offer Nicholas Snow on foraging for and cultivating mushrooms, dance party with tuition, travel, and lodging to attend the Filmmaker on a dedicated ACFF hard drive. us a travel stipend that helped our team of student Workshop, thanks to the Alex Kemnitzer Emerging filmmakers attend. We would likely not have been Christina van Hilst with the “greenest DJ in America,” and discussion on what Developed an updated, comprehensive strategic plan to Filmmaker Fund and the Oak Spring Garden Foundation. able to make it without their financial assistance. it means to be a “green” business. guide our mission and initiatives for the next three years. Awarded 4 cash prizes totaling $4,000 to filmmakers for We are SO GRATEFUL.” —STUDENT FILMMAKER Jennifer Lee, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Partnered with 21 organizations and venues to present new film projects at the Pitch Panel Contest at the Filmmaker Introduced a new ACFF logo and mascot, Athena the Owl, Hilary Lo, FESTIVAL MANAGER screenings, support conservation initiatives, and share “You do what you do SO WELL! It’s always so Workshop. custom designed by local artist Maria Nickllin. information. New partners include Shenandoah University, invigorating to come to town and take in the Jen Rolston & Eden Design, COMMUNICATIONS LIAISON the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, Long Branch Historic Garnered 25 national, regional, and local festival and Granted free admission to all students 18 and younger weekend’s screenings.” — AUDIENCE MEMBER House and Farm, and The Hill School. event sponsors, 9 of whom were new this year. at all events and to all college students at the festival. Anna Perkins, INTERN