A Point Loma filmmaker has an entry in this year’s sixth annual Blue Water Film Festival, as well as an upcoming six-part science series being screened at San Diego Natural History Museum.
Nate Dappen heads the production company Day’s Edge at 2924 Emerson St, Suite 220 in Point Loma. His company specializes in documentaries about science, nature, history, and culture.
The BWFF takes place March 20-23 in celebration of United Nations World Water Day on March 22. The four-day festival showcases features, shorts, and animated films with a total of 33 films comprised of nine features, 16 shorts, and eight animated films. The BWFF encourages attendees to think broadly bring humans into balance with the planet. about how climate change affects Earth and deeply about the universal concerns and actions needed to
The Blue Water Institute supports the BWFF as a festival intended to bring greater awareness to and engagement for the planet’s supply of water – its oceans, aquifers, rivers, dams, lakes, streams, and waterway systems through cinema and engagement. Known for its environmental programming, BWFF works to provide opportunities for support and mentorship of the emerging voices of up-and-coming environmental filmmakers.
Dappen’s team has a film titled “San Diego: America’s Wildest City,” screening in La Jolla as part of this year’s BWFF. His team also has wrapped post-production on a six-part primetime science series titled “Human Footprint,” starting July 5 with a special pre-screening hosted by KPBS at San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park on June 27.
On Dappen’s website at daysedge.com, it’s noted that their team of Ph.D.-trained scientists and award-winning filmmakers, photographers, and storytellers is “passionate about bringing cutting-edge science, inspiring stories and important messages to broad audiences. Day’s Edge has produced global media projects which have won dozens of awards and reached millions of people trying to understand and preserve the world we live in.”
Dappen spoke of San Diego’s being preeminently qualified to host science filmmakers like himself. “San Diego is one of the most biodiverse places in America with plants and animals, not only in the marine environment, but also terrestrially because of its numerous ecosystems and elevations,” Dappen said. “We did ‘San Diego: America’s Wildest City.’ It’s nice to have made a local presentation that’s all about San Diego.”
On his website, a short description of Dappen’s upcoming primetime science six-part series, “Human Footprint,” reads: “Earth is home to more than 10 million species. Yet the actions of one species – humans – affect every other. We’ve cracked the genetic code, created music, art, literature, and culture of remarkable beauty. Yet, for all of our ingenuity, our species can also be stubbornly short-sighted.
“In ‘Human Footprint,’ Princeton biologist Shane Cambpell-Staton travels the world to explore our global impact. This film is unique not only in the topics it covers, its perspective and visual aesthetic, but also in its music. It’s the first science series driven entirely by hip hop and rap. The series is scored by hip hop and jazz legend Adrian Younge and also features tracks by many famous rappers. I think this series is entertaining, important, and fresh. I hope you’ll agree.”
BLUE WATER FILM FESTIVAL
Starts on March 20 with the opening night reception and screening of “Black Water,” directed by Howard Hall; “Reel Effect: Kelpless,” directed by actor/activist Matthew Modine; and Rachael Scott’s “Arctic: The Frozen Planet.” The screenings will be held at the San Diego Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park.
The festival will also spotlight Point Loma filmmaker Nathan Dappen’s “San Diego: America’s Wildest City” on Friday evening, presented by Austrian Consulate Michael Postl at the Garfield Theater at JCC Lawrence Center.
The festival’s centerpiece presentation features “Let It Be Naked,” directed by Jeff Garner at the Warren Auditorium at USD campus. The festival will close with the winner of the Grand Jury to be screened at UCSD Park & Market. The feature, shorts, animated, television films, and special events will be exhibited at San Diego Museum of Photography in Balboa Park, Garfield Theater (JCC Lawrence Center), InterContinental Vistal Bar & Restaurant, Mangelsen Nature Gallery, KIPJ Theater, Warren Auditorium, UCSD Park & Market.
BWFF tickets can be purchased at bluewaterfilmfestival.org. Find out more about Dappen’s latest science film series at pbs.org/show/human-footprint.
