by Michelle Paster
AFI FEST Daily News

Photos by Veronika Cernadas, American Film Institute

To support global awareness and recycling efforts at AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi, festival-goers are encouraged to recycle at the artist-painted bins near the elevators on the Rooftop Village.

In exchange for VHS tapes, DVDs, CDs, CD jewel cases, cell phones and used bottles, recyclers will receive free AFI FEST screening tickets and a chance to win a Gibson SmartWood Les Paul Studio guitar, the world's first line of eco-friendly SmartWood guitars.

A second guitar will be signed by celebrities visiting the rooftop village and auctioned off after AFI FEST by recycling partner Global Inheritance at globalinheritance.org to support ongoing environment awareness programs.

The aim of Global Inheritance is "using the power of creativity to facilitate progressive social change while rejecting conflict," explains Natalie McMenemy, AFI FEST Director of Operations and Documentary Programmer.

"We're really excited to have Gibson Guitars involved. They have embraced our recycling initiative.

Photos by Veronika Cernadas, American Film Institute

"The campaign is more about taking responsibility for your actions and being aware as a consumer of goods where they go when you're done. This is about integrating small manageable changes into your everyday life and being conscious of the footprint you personally leave on the environment based on your activities."

On the Global Inheritance/AFI FEST Relationship:

"This all started when I attended Coachella Music Festival last April and saw this amazing focus on recycling," McMenemy explains. "As a special event producer myself, it was refreshing to see such a concentrated, conscious, very prevalent effort to be aware of the effect the event was having on the environment. Plus, Global Inheritance was on site, and I called the founder, Eric Ritz, when I got back from Coachella and we began discussing what we could do for AFI FEST."

On Documentary Awareness:

"This is about creating awareness, thinking responsibly about our own event and consumption," McMenemy says. "I'm also the Documentary Programmer, so these issues are always at the forefront for me. There have been some truly notable shocking and inspiring films this year about what's going on in the world, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH for one, but another that has a message just as powerful and terrifying that is playing as a part of AFI FEST in our World Cinema section.

"A CRUDE AWAKENING - THE OILCRASH is a film I first saw this year at SXSW in Austin, Texas. I was utterly speechless and shaken for hours after seeing it. The message is all about our dependence on fossil fuels, a finite resource, and where this could lead if we don't play catch up in this country real quick.

Photos by Veronika Cernadas, American Film Institute

"To me, this year is about not ignoring what's right in front of you (like every time you fill up for gas or send recyclables to a landfill), not taking things for granted and thinking about your impact on the world.

On Recycling and Composting at AFI FEST:

"We are recycling and composting on site in the AFI FEST Rooftop Village this year," says McMenemy. "We recycle every year, but this year it's a focused effort where you can bring VHS tapes, DVDs or cases, CD jewel cases, cell phones or used beverage bottles, and redeem them for AFI FEST screening tickets and more at the Information Booth.

"With our partner Global Inheritance, AFI FEST has trash/recycle/compost artist designed bins throughout the AFI FEST Rooftop Village. You can compost food, paper products, plastics and newspapers. There is also a Global Inheritance flier at the Information Booth on 10 Easy Ways You Can Make A Difference In Your Everyday Life."

On Taking Metro:

"Additionally, we have Metro as our Official Alternative Transportation partner," McMenemy says. "The partnership is about promoting public transportation and cutting down on personal gas consumption. It's easy and convenient. You just go Metro to the Metro Red Line Hollywood/Vine Station and walk to ArcLight Hollywood a couple of blocks away."

On the AFI FEST Shuttle:

"We also have an AFI FEST Shuttle running a regular daily schedule from Orange Court at Hollywood & Highland," explains McMenemy. "So you can go Metro to the Metro Red Line Hollywood/Highland Station and hop on the AFI FEST shuttle.

"For all of these programs, we have an AFI FEST Alternative Parking/Transportation Program where you can earn free AFI FEST screening tickets for using our partners and bringing in your Metro ticket or pass.

"We're an international film festival and Los Angeles is a cultural diverse city that is very spread out. Metro reaches new communities for us and can bring them to Hollywood quickly and easily."