Missoula Film Fest

Wildlife

For 20 years International Film Festival in Missoula has worked to set a standard for films that influence public thinking on wildlife from classrooms to television.

The festival, scheduled this year for April 5-12, has become the longest running juried wildlife film competition in the world.

“Our purpose is to foster the production of wildlife films that are technically well done, artistically pleasing and scientifically accurate,” said Amy Sperry, festival director.

The festival was started in 1977 by University of Montana wildlife biology professor Charles Jonkel and students.

“I was very disturbed by the poor quality and the deception inherent in the wildlife films I as seeing at that time,” Jonkel said. “Animals were typically portrayed as either fierce and dangerous or cute and cuddly. The misinformation in the films caused extra work for wildlife biologists, and in some cases led directly to wildlife being harmed.”

Hundreds of films from producers around the world are judged. The best are screened at the Wilma Theater in Missoula. Some of these films go on to commercial success.

For a schedule screenings and information on participating in the many festival events, call (406) 728-9380 or check it out on the Internet at http:/ /www.montana.com/iwff

, DataTimes