Artivist Film Festival Announces North American Premiere of 'Minds In The Water' as the 2011 Opening Night Film - msnbc.com

Documentary Feature Follows Professional Free Surfer Dave 'Rasta' Rastovich and His Friends including Hollywood's Isabel Lucas and Hayden Panettiere on an International Mission To Save Dolphins

The Humane Society of the United States On Board As Festival's Official Opening Night NGO Partner

Screening August 18th at Hollywood's Egyptian Theater

LOS ANGELES, July 27, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artivist Film Festival announced today that "Minds In The Water," a feature-length documentary about a professional free surfer whose mission to save dolphinsour mammalian fellowsbecame an international cause clbre, will open the 2011 festival in Hollywood, August 18-20.

The Opening Night Film presentation marks the North American premiere of the film. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is the Official Opening Night NGO Partner.

The film follows the quest of professional surfer Dave "Rasta" Rastovich and his friends to protect dolphins, whales and the oceans they all share. Through a five-year adventure from Australia to the Galapagos, Chile, California, Alaska and Japan we see one surfer's transformation from observer to activist in his desire to defend the seas and its inhabitants.

Along the way, Rasta is joined by fellow surfers and even Hollywood celebrities, notably Isabel Lucas ("Transformers 2") and Hayden Panettiere ("Heroes," "Scream 4"), who travel with him on a whirlwind journey around the world, raising public awareness for their cause. Isabel Lucas will participate in the panel discussion immediately following the Opening Night screening of the film, along with Rastovich and the film's director Justin Krumb.

"Being selected to premiere our film in North America here at Artivist is a great honor," says Krumb. "The surfing community has such deep roots in Southern California, and so many people here care about the issues the oceans face, that we feel it's an amazing opportunity to showcase what a few motivated people can accomplish with passionate determination."

For the film's star, "'Minds In The Water' is a great way to share arealistic, deeper look at how surfers all around the world can do their part to resolve human-created problems that exist in our most cherished aspect of life, namely the ocean," says Rastovich.

Artivist has enlisted the support of leading NGOs for this year's film festival. The Humane Society of the United States is the official NGO Partner for the Opening Night Film program. The Artivist Film Festival ensures that NGOs (Non Governmental Organizations) or Charitable Organizations be included as an integral part of its festival experience. Artivist invites NGOs to partner and promote their charitable work at each film screening as a way of encouraging community partnership, networking and positive action.

"The Humane Society of the United States is proud to support the Artivist Film Festival and the premiere screening of 'Minds in the Water.' Artivist has steadfastly addressed animal welfare issues over the years and is an important vehicle to help create change by giving documentaries like this a forum," says Jonny Vasic, Program Director, Animal Content in Entertainment of HSUS.

This year, Artivist proudly welcomes back PETROBRAS as its Official Community Partner. Since 2004, Petrobras has supported the growth of the international Artivist Film Festival and Artivist Awards.

LA Weekly reprises its role as a media sponsor this year. The festival is also sponsored proudly by Kanon Organic Vodka ( http://www.kanonvodka.com/ ).

Screenings are free to the public but advanced tickets are encouraged as the programs do "sell out." All screenings and festival activities including panel discussions, filmmakers-audience Q&As and receptions will be held at the historic Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. For more information and advance ticket reservations, visit http://www.artivist.com/festival/.

ABOUT PETROBRAS

Artivist proudly welcomes back PETROBRAS ( http://www.petrobras.com.br/en/ ) as its Official Community Partner. Since 2004, Petrobras has supported the growth of the international Artivist Film Festival and Artivist Awards. Petrobras, a Brazilian energy company, has a 30 year history of distributing ethanol from sugar cane as fuel for vehicles, and is now committed to increasing the production and exports of ethanol.
At its new research center, scientists are looking for ways to produce ethanol from farming byproducts, which can increase production without the need for more farming land.

Petrobras is the largest funder of Cultural Arts Programs in Brazil, and a partner of hundreds of social, animal welfare, and environmental projects, such as the

protection of endangered sea turtles, spinners dolphins and the manatee, as well as initiatives on carbon capture, water protection, biodiversity, and climate change.

As the only company in the energy sector that is part of the Global Compact Board of the UNITED NATIONS, Petrobras commits its corporate governance to the 10 principles set forth by the UNITED NATIONS.

Understanding the interdependence between humanity, animals, and the environment is crucial in our global community. By working with individuals and groups, organizations and companies, we can create long-term solutions to our global problems.

ABOUT ARTIVIST FILM FESTIVAL

Founded in 2003, ARTIVIST FILM FESTIVAL is the only festival dedicated to raising awareness for International Human Rights, Children's Advocacy, Environmental Preservation, and Animal Advocacy through Film.

Over the past eight years Artivist Film Festival has screened more than 400 international Films representing 60+ Countries, and has produced Film Tours promoting its mission to more than 35 Million people infive Countries: USA, UK, Japan, Mexico, and Portugal

Each year Artivist Film Festival concludes with The Artivist Awards, honoring the contributions of filmmakers, community leaders, and celebrity advocates. Past Honorees include: Peter Fonda, Olivia Wilde, Hank Azaria, Ted Danson, Alyssa Milano, Daryl Hannah, Matthew McConaughey, Joaquin Phoenix, James Cromwell, Mira Sorvino, Tippi Hedren, Mike Farrell, and Ed Begley, Jr.

ABOUT THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF AMERICA

The Humane Society of the United States ( http://www.humanesociety.org/ )is the nation's largest animal protection organization, backed by 11 million Americans. We work to reduce suffering and improve the lives of all animals by advocating for better laws ; investigating animal cruelty ; conducting campaigns to reform industries; performing animal rescue and emergency response ; and providing care to animals through our sanctuaries, emergency shelters, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and clinics.

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Media Contact:
Lisa Carroll, Publicist
ARTIVIST FILM FESTIVAL
626-280-8291

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