Local film festival

A local group will bring several films to Havre during the Hi-Line Documentary and Independent Film Festival to encourage awareness and discussion about current issues. "The films are informative, and they start discussions," said Kris Shaw, a member of Yellow Bus Creations, which is sponsoring the film festival that runs Friday, Feb. 26, to Sunday, Feb. 28, in the theater in Cowan Hall on Montana State University-Northern's campus. The discussions aren't about agreeing with everyone else, but the ability to talk with one another, she said. A short film competition also will take place during the festival. Sunday afternoon, 17 shorts submitted by Havre High School students and four shorts submitted by Turner High School students will be screened. Judges will score the films, and awards will be given for the best, Campbell said. Most of the entries focus on the theme of trust, Shaw said. "It helps the students focus on issues of the day and a way to use their creativity to do something" about the things they believe in, Shaw said. "It helps them to become involved in their communities." Awareness is the theme of this year's festival. People should attend "just to try to become more aware of the world around you and how you relate to it," said Rita Campbell, another member of Yellow Bus. Some issues films focus on are personal, like how people are eating and taking care of themselves, and other topics include green issues and politics, she said. The main film to be shown Friday, "Food, Inc.," has already started discussions about the food industry, Shaw said. Some of the feedback is negative. To her, though, it's a film about how people need to know where their food comes from, how it's inspected and how safe it is. Other films span topics that people are dealing with now, Campbell said. "2012: Apocalypse or Awakening" focuses on the infamous end of the Mayan calendar. The film explores what's happening astrologically in the solar system and how that could affect Earth, Campbell said. "It's a much more realistic version of what's happening, and it goes into the history of it, too," she added. "Prodigal Sons" follows a Helena Family's reaction to and process of acceptance of their child's gender change. "Jesus in India" raises issues of religious awareness, she said. It focuses on the historical possibility that Jesus studied and lived in India. The lineup also includes: "The Shift," "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music" and "God on Trial." Several shorts also raise awareness issues and include: "The Gift — SCC series," "X to Y," "The Man Inside," "Stand By Me," "Don't Worry" and "War/ No More Trouble." "Food, Inc." kicks off the festival Friday at 7 p.m. Films resume 10 a.m. Saturday and run until 9 p.m. Sunday, films begin at 10 a.m. and run until 5 p.m., with the short competition beginning at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for students and $8 for families for single shows. All day passes are $10 for adults, $5 for students and $15 for families. For a weekend pass, adults pay $20, students $10 and families $30. Tickets can be purchased beforehand at Creative Leisure, Havre Health Foods and High Plains Gallery & Frame Shop, or they will be available at the door.