Play Again received a warm welcome throughout Ecuador in April, with screenings in Quito, Mindo and the Galapagos. We were told “Youth in Quito can be shy in large groups like this, so don’t expect them to speak out.”  Well, something must have changed that day!  The young people of Quito, representing more than ten high schools and several universities at the Casa de la Cultura, were articulate, passionate and very vocal.  They know it is up to them to take action to protect and conserve Ecuador’s unique natural areas and species and they thanked us for providing inspiration.  The Quito screening was organized by Jess Lopez, of 350.org Ecuador, and an amazing group of her colleagues who will be taking Play Again DVD’s and study guides to high schools in the area.

In the Galapagos, Play Again was shown at the JICA center on the island of Santa Cruz (followed by a school screening for educators at the Salon de Ciudad).  Organized by local musician Elena Albarado, the screening was well attended and followed by thoughtful discussion.  The environmental, social and economic issues of the Galapagos are as unique and complex as the place itself.  See more photos here.

PLAY AGAIN has received a generous grant from the Quimby Family Foundation for the Maine Educational Outreach Campaign!  Thank you so much to QFF for helping us engage youth in this important conversation!  The campaign will include the creation of a PLAY AGAIN study guide, free school screenings at local independent theaters and free DVDs and screening licenses to public schools throughout the state.  We will work with organizations in Maine to make the campaign applicable to the specific communities throughout the state.  If you know a foundation or company that might want to sponsor a PLAY AGAIN educational outreach campaign in your state, please get in touch (all donations are tax-deductible)!  Order your FREE DVD here.

Our winter fundraiser with 5-time Grammy winning bassist Victor Wooten, of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, was a huge success! The Oregon Ducks bowl game did not stop 200 fans from packing Mississippi Studios for the standing room only event. Jim Brunberg, Tony Furtado and David Jorgenson opened the show with some John Prine favorites. VIP guests were treated to dessert with Victor after the show and a DVD signed by Victor and PLAY AGAIN filmmakers. Thank you to Vic and his passionate fans for their commitment to PLAY AGAIN and the issues it raises! See more photos on our facebook page.

PLAY AGAIN was honored with a Jury Award for Best Documentary at our World Premier at FICMA in Barcelona. Director Tonje Hessen Schei and Producer Meg Merrill were in attendance, although not understanding Catalan, it took some time before they realized they had won. This wonderful festival was the perfect place to release PLAY AGAIN to the world. We met so many amazing film makers and celebrated on the red carpet with environmental activist Daryl Hannah.

Our Portland Pre-Release Premier on May 15th, 2010 was an incredible community event, selling out the 600 seat historic Bagdad Theater. Lines wrapped around the corner and fans without seats took over the balcony aisles. Our six PLAY AGAIN teens saw themselves for the first time on the big screen and looked pretty pleased with the outcome. They joined director Tonje Hessen Schei, producer Meg Merrill and editor David Bee on stage for an engaging Q & A after the film. Almost all of the questions were for them. Along with gift certificates from local companies like La Paloma, Thinker Toys and Switch Shoes, TrackersNW auctioned off a week of summer camp. This event was a true testament to the incredible support we have received from this amazing community for the past four years. Thank you, Portland!