Films
The foundation of our film work lies in the two-feature-length documentaries of our Necessary Journeys (Being Caribou and Finding Farley). However Leanne has recently worked on a number of interactive (Bear 71) and web-based video projects and is available for hire.
Interactive Documentary
Web Videos
Finding Farley
Finding Farley (62min) is a National Film Board of Canada production directed by Leanne Allison and written by Karsten Heuer. The film is about a cross-Canada family journey by canoe, train, and sailboat following the literary footsteps of one of Canada's most celebrated authors- Farley Mowat.
Purchase the film at: http://www.nfb.ca/store
Being Caribou
Being Caribou ((72 minutes) is a National Film Board of Canada production written and directed by Leanne Allison and Diana Wilson. It has been broadcast on Canadian National television (CBC's The Nature of Things) and across the US on The Documentary Channel and LinkTV. Composed of footage shot by Leanne during the epic 1,500-km-long trip, it seamlessly weaves stunning close-ups of the caribou migration with the intimate video diaries of the two people following this endangered herd.
"Being Caribou records an amazing odyssey of a remarkable couple. It is a record of sheer courage, stamina, and stubbornness – to find and follow on foot North America's counterpart to Africa's wildebeest migration."
- David Suzuki
The National Film Board of Canada has now released a bilingual version of Being Caribou and have a study guide available free on-line for teachers.
http://www3.onf.ca/sg/100561.pdf
Awards:
- Best Nature, Science and Environmental Documentary, 2006 Canadian Gemini Awards
- Best Environmental Film, 2005 Telluride Mountain Film Festival
- Best Nature Film, 2005 Portland International Nature and Environmental Film Festival
- Best Environment and Conservation Film, 2005 Japan International Wildlife Film Festival
Get Involved:
Bear 71
Bear 71 is a web-based interactive documentary about an ill-fated grizzly looking back on her life. For over ten years she made a living in Alberta’s Bow Valley, the most developed place in the world where grizzly bears still exist.
Highway Wilding
A short web video about the wildlife highway crossing structures in Banff National Park.
Banff Caribou Reintroduction
Parks Canada plans to reintroduce caribou to the mountain national parks. This video explains what happened to the last few caribou in Banff National Park and how they will soon get a second chance to call the park home.
Wolverine Research
Dr. Tony Clevenger and his team are assessing the effectiveness of animal overpasses and underpasses for wolverines (and other animals) needing to cross the four-lane Trans Canada Highway.
"If you want to get incredible inspiration, skills, and hands on documentary filmmaking experience QUICK there is no better place than the Gulf Island Film and Television School. This was literally the only film training I had before we set out on our trip with the caribou. The top notch instructors at GIFTS make you believe you can create your own film after just one week at the school- and you can!"
Leanne Allison - co-director of Being Caribou
