Please join me at the Austin School of Film Wednesday, November 29th for a fine cut screening of Elephant Keeper, a Kindred Planet Productions' feature documentary shot in Laos.

Elephant Keeper Trailer:
https://vimeo.com/user17255072/elephantkeepertrailer1

Having moved here from Maine last month, I would like to introduce myself to the greater Austin film community, and get your feedback on the latest cut of a very special film I've been working on since 2013. Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions about the production of the film, and I will be available afterward to speak with folks interested in joining the production team. 

This event is free and open to the public (suggested $10 donation). 

I look forward to meeting you, and sharing this unique story with Austin. 

About the film...
Laos, a country rich in cultural heritage and exotic beauty, was once referred to as Lane Xang, or "The Land of a Million Elephants.” There are now less than 1000 elephants remaining. At the current mortality rates, it is believed that the Lao elephant will be extinct within 50 years.

Elephant Keeper goes behind the scenes at an elephant conservation center in Laos, providing a rare and intimate glimpse into the daily life of a Mahout. 

The story unfolds in the lush jungles of the Xayaburi Province, where intrepid expats, tourists, and locals seek out humane approaches to elephant conservation. Here we meet Mahout, Mr. Tong and Mae Dok, the 60-year old elephant matriarch. Elephant Keeper is an artistic piece that provides a snapshot into the life of a man fighting to preserve a dying way of life. As the narrative explores issues surrounding extinction and conservation, tensions between utilitarian versus humanitarian approaches emerge, as characters explore themes of culture and identity, economic empowerment, and environmental stewardship. 

Filmed predominantly in cinéma vérité, fly-on-the-wall footage is supplemented by Mr. Tong’s personal and reflective narrative and context-rich informal interviews with the Conservation Center’s founder and director, Sebastien Duffillot, and Tourism Coordinator, Emilie Guindon.

A film by Kate Kirby and Megan Webster

Kindred Planet Productions seeks to capture the interconnectedness of a 21st century world, raise awareness, and inspire change by bringing into focus stories from the margins.

www.kindredplanetproductions.com