The Fifth Sacred Thing

Almost 20 years ago, illustrious author Starhawk wrote an inspiring work of fiction called The Fifth Sacred Thing about a successful eco community living in California in a future some 30 odd years from now. Now, at a time when positive visions of our future are most needed, Starhawk and her team plan to make the story into a film. If you've read the book, intend to or simply like what you see in the promo below, please consider supporting the project to make this dream a reality. Thanks.


From: Kickstarter: The Fifth Sacred Thing
"They say that movies are collective dreams. If so, we’re heading for a nightmare—for there are very few films that show a positive future on earth. We want to change that. How can we create a thriving, just and balanced future if we can’t even imagine it? We want to bring alive a vision that can inspire people—and we’ve found the story in Starhawk’s novel, The Fifth Sacred Thing.
In the story, set in 2048, Northern California has survived eco-catastrophes, wars and epidemics and forged a society based on respect for the Four Sacred Things that support life: air, fire, water and earth. Streets are turned into gardens, streams flow free, people of all races and religions live in harmony – until the militarist Southlands attack. How can the people of a peaceful society fight against ruthless invaders without becoming what they’re fighting against? Musician-turned-guerilla Bird, his story-teller grandmother Maya, and Madrone, the healer, must wield a force more powerful than weapons—the fifth sacred thing..."

Read more and make a pledge here | Join the Facebook page

Possible Futures Film Contest

From: Possible Futures Film Contest
"A FILM CONTEST TO INSPIRE A NEW POSITIVE FUTURE
Here is our invitation to the storytellers of the world: Make a short film that Inspires us. Moves us. Gives us something to believe in.

Envision a new, positive, possible future for the world. One that is environmentally sustainable, socially just, peaceful and spiritually fulfilling.

The film contest includes awards valuing $30,000 that will be announced in July. Films can be 1 to 5 minutes in length and must be submitted by June 21st.

Dig into the contest guidelines and details
Register now to participate

The contest is open to filmmakers around the world and at all levels of expertise! The prizes add to 30K dollars and include trips for two to Ecuador's Amazon rainforest. A team of notable judges and the community of voters will decide the winners!Make a Film. Make a Difference"

Submissions end June 21st 2011 | No submission fees required

Further Info: Possible Futures Film Contest / Facebook

London Futures: Wish You Were Here?

The Museum Of London is currently hosting an exhibition of photographs from the future called Postcards From The Future - Wish You Were Here?. No time machine was employed to retrieve the images, simply the imagination and design skills of Robert Graves and Didier Madoc-Jones.

The artists created eight photos for the original Postcards From The Future series way back in 2008 (these can be viewed on the website here). This current exhibition displays 14 images of London digitally transformed to suggest possible effects of climate change on the city. The exhibition runs until 6 March 2011.

From: London Futures - Wish You Were Here?
"The display brings home the full impact of global warming, food scarcity, rising sea levels and how all Londoners will need to innovate and adapt to survive. Examples of the striking images that will be on show include Parliament Square put to work as a rice paddy, ice skating down the Thames, Buckingham Palace surrounded by a sea of shanty housing and the Gherkin occupied by thousands of eco-refugees highlight the shocking realities we could face...

“We want to create a space in which people can consider how climate change may impact on their lives. We are committed to making beautiful and arresting images which tell their own story. We have deliberately chosen ‘postcard’ shots of London, places that all of us are familiar with. By focusing our creative energy on these well- known panoramas, the images have taken on a life of their own...”"

More here