The Parrot Education and Adoption Center is hosting a benefit screening of the new, award-winning (Belize Film Festival Best Short Film,) dramatic film “YOCHI” at Coronado’s Vintage Village Theatre on Saturday, July 29th, 11:00am.
Film Summary:
YOCHI is the story of a 9-year-old selectively mute Mayan boy who guards a nest of endangered Yellow-Headed Parrots in Belize’s pine savanna. When his beloved older brother, Itza, returns from the city, Yochi learns that he’s in debt and has turned to poaching – setting the brothers on a collision course.
YOCHI is a film about connection, finding your voice, and protecting that which is most sacred to you.
The filmmakers’ intention for this film is to raise awareness and encourage dialogue about poaching and the illegal wildlife trade and YOCHI has already toured through several cities in Belize bringing conservationists and community members together. YOCHI engages a complex issue by humanizing all the characters – and in doing so, will continue to encourage dialogue about the underlying social and economic factors that lead to poaching. YOCHI recently won the “Best Short Film” category at the Belize Film Festival and this fall will be a featured film in Washington DC presented by the USFWS and include a panel of experts on the illegal trade in wildlife.
The Yellow-Headed Parrot, found in the lowland pine savanna of Belize, is gravely endangered due to poaching and deforestation. Populations of Yellow-Headed Parrots have declined over 90% since the 1970s.
- Writer/Director Ilana Lapid will be present to discuss the making of YOCHI and answer questions after the screening.
- Film length is approximately 25 minutes. Discussion period after screening: Approximately 25-30 minutes.
- Proceeds from this showing will support the programs of the Parrot Education and Adoption Center. This event is open to the public.
Event Info:
- Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 11am
- Coronado Vintage Village Theatre, 820 Orange Avenue
- $15 per person. Tickets available at www.peac.org and also at Eventbrite.com, search YOCHII or: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/yochi-film-screening-san-diego-premiere-to-benefit-peac-tickets-36298177827?aff=es2
About the Parrot Education and Adoption Center:
Parrot Education & Adoption Center (PEAC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteeroperated organization dedicated to educating current and potential bird owners on the proper care of companion parrots. Based in San Diego and covering Southern California, PEAC began operations in 1996. In addition to education, PEAC fosters a small number of parrots who have been relinquished by their owners, and are available to be adopted by qualified families. Your generous support at fundraising events like this one, allows us to continue our commitment to companion parrot welfare in the community. Learn more at www.peac.org.
About the making of YOCHI:
YOCHI is a US-Belizean co-production shot in May, 2016 in western Belize, with a cast made up entirely of Belizean non-actors from villages in Cayo district. YOCHI shot in San Antonio Village, the surrounding jungle, and Mountain Pine Ridge. The film YOCHI is in four languages: Yucatec Mayan, English Creole, English, and Spanish. The crew is made up of Belizean filmmakers, and students and recent graduates of the Creative Media Institute of New Mexico State University.
For more information contact:
Kelly Flynn, (619) 435-2127, [email protected]
Barbara Crouse, (909) 641-3580, [email protected]
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