SPIRITUAL INDIA (28 mins.)
Philanthropist Charles Annenberg Weingarten and the Explore team set out for India, a land ascribed with deep spiritual and philosophical roots - a land of magic. Here, under the inspirational guidance of Swamiji Muni Baba and his beloved Ganges River, they take an unforgettable journey to discover the spiritual nature of philanthropy and find ways in which we can all practice the art of compassionate giving.

preceded by

HERO (4 mins.)
Abebech Gobena saves children who have lost their parents due to starvation and other causes. Through great perseverance and seemingly boundless generosity, she now supports more than 5,000 children.

PROTEST OR PUNCHES (4 mins.)
At the 2006 Asian Games in Qatar, boxer Faraj Mahmoud Darwish – a Palestinian refugee – was paired against an Israeli boxer, and was advised that he should not fight as a sign of political protest. It is a decision with profound consequences for his life and career. 

ORCA GUARDIANS (10 mins.)
Amidst the San Juan Islands live several pods of orcas known collectively as the Southern Residents. This group of orcas eats fish, not marine animals. Scientists Kenneth Balcomb and Paul Spong are recording the movements of these incredible creatures, with the hopes that their findings will help protect future generations.

For this special occasion the Vancouver International Film Festival is offering something we’ve never done before, a special avant-premiere of a film that will feature prominently in this fall's 28th annual VIFF (October 1 – 15). Reporter is a tremendously compelling new documentary about Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter/columnist Nicholas Kristof.

“As the preeminent risk-taking journalist of our time, New York Times op-ed columnist Nicholas Kristof makes an ideal documentary subject. In Reporter, director Eric Metzger discovers that potential. Following the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning scribe on his 2008 trip to Congo—where he was accompanied by a duo of younger journalists to broaden the reach of his coverage—Metzger wisely avoids turning the details of Kristof’s mission into a blind hagiography. Instead, he uses Kristof’s techniques to illustrate the profound motives of humanitarian aid” --indiewire.com 

“This is a fascinating and engaging story; among other things, it reveals that Kristof reads scientific articles about the ‘psychology of compassion,’ the better to tailor his writing to a readership inured to African suffering. This is the best thing I’ve seen at Sundance this year so far.” —Chris Knight, National Post, January 19, 2009

Explore is a philanthropic multimedia organization that makes documentary films and photographs to showcase extraordinary nonprofit efforts and leaders around the world.

Through fact-finding missions to identify potential grant recipients, members of the Explore team see first hand where and how possible financial support might be used. Explore opens the door to a world most people never get to see - one that has been neglected by the mainstream media. Viewers meet the people affected by positive change catalyzed by philanthropy, and just as importantly, the leaders creating it.

Explore's film and images document how people from all over the world, from every walk of life, are taking positive steps that have local impact and global relevance. Inspirational content for the web, television and theatrical viewing include interviews, conversations and stories with local heroes. Its multimedia portal brings these individuals together as a collective voice that celebrates and encourages selfless acts of giving.

Explore strives to personalize the business of philanthropy while rediscovering the human element. The team's missions have led them to places where suffering is met with compassion and where the human spirit is kept alive by people who have dedicated their lives to humanity, not material gain.

Among Explore's founding principles are "Share What You Know" and "Never Stop Learning." These concepts have guided the team through Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Sudan, Darfur, Rwanda, China, Tibet, India, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, The Vatican, The Arctic, Greenland, Costa Rica, Canada and many U.S. cities.

The journey for the Explore team continues with its core mission in mind - to champion the selfless acts of others to inspire a revolution of giving.

Explore.org is based on a concept developed by and advanced under the leadership of Charles Annenberg Weingarten, with the support of the Annenberg Foundation.

Call the FILM INFO LINE: 604.683.FILM (3456) for the latest info and listings. Tickets can be purchased in advance on-line at www.vifc.org or in person 30 minutes before showtime.

Adult tickets: $10 (Double Bill - $13)
Student/Senior $8 (Double Bill - $11)
Matinees $8

As a registered non-profit society, the VIFC screens films that have not always been seen by the BC Film Classification Board. Under BC law, any person wishing to see these unclassified films must belong to the VIFC Society and be 18 years or older. Valid for one year based on the date of purchase, the VIFC basic membership cost is $2.50.

For More Membership Information go to http://www.vifc.org/membership.html.

Vancity Theatre is located at 1181 Seymour St. (at Davie)