by Natalie McMenemy
AFI FEST Director of Operations

AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi is committed to global responsibility by reducing its environmental footprint and supporting the fight against AIDS. To raise awareness, AFI FEST is encouraging manageable lifestyle adjustments and thinking responsibly about daily activities.

AFI FEST/Global Inheritance Recycling Store and Recycling Program - Receive free AFI FEST screening tickets and more for recycling at the AFI FEST Rooftop Village. Items that can be recycled include:

• VHS tapes
• DVDs
• CDs
• CD jewel cases
• Cell phones
• Used beverage bottles

AFI FEST Waste and Composting - AFI FEST partners with Global Inheritance and Global Resources to recycle and compost waste. Look for recycle containers at the AFI FEST Rooftop Village.

Alternative Transportation - AFI FEST encourages patrons to use Metro, the Official Alternative Transportation Partner, or park-and-walk and park-and-ride to the festival.

All patrons who participate receive a voucher booklet to have stamped at the Information Booth/Recycling Store or Box Office. Collect stamps and redeem for free screening tickets to AFI FEST.

Whole Foods Market - This year, AFI FEST partner Whole Foods Market made the largest corporate purchase of wind energy credits in the nation.

Whole Foods' commitment to green practices also includes promoting sustainable agriculture, using green building materials, and recycling and reducing waste wherever possible.

Local and regional green mission teams look for new ways to keep Whole Foods Market at the forefront of green business.

Best Buy - With partner Best Buy, AFI FEST is encouraging patrons to recycle by providing options to drop off recyclable materials, both in the AFI FEST Rooftop Village and at Best Buy's Atwater Village location (2909 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles) November 10 and 11. Great prizes and incentives, including free screening vouchers for AFI FEST.

24-Hour Movie Marathon & Fundraiser - A 35-year film retrospective, featuring hits and sleepers from FILMEX and AFI FEST, as well as surprise snippets and special guests. Starts Saturday, November 11 at 12:00 Noon.

In keeping with the international scope of AFI FEST and the vision of the originators of FILMEX, marathon participants may also choose to raise money for The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Buy a pass at the AFI FEST Box Office, 1.866.AFI FEST and www.AFI.com.

Team AFI FEST/FILMEX in Honolulu Marathon - In memory of Gary Essert and Gary Abraham, founders of FILMEX, four staffers from AFI FEST are training for the December 10 Honolulu Marathon and raising money for AIDS Project Los Angeles.

So far, over $12,000 has been raised to assist people living with AIDS and HIV in Los Angeles.

Help at www.AIDSMarathon.com, click "sponsor a runner" and enter "AFI" under team name.