Seeds of Change Short Documentary
Filmed and Edited by Gretchen Powers
About the film:
Seeds of Change is a short documentary film that discusses the past, present and future of apple farming in the Kali Gandaki River valley in Mustang ,Nepal. Before apples were introduced to this valley around 44 years ago the main source of income for the inhabitants of this valley was the tourism industry. The main villages discussed in the film, Kagbeni, Marpha, Tukuche and Kobang all fall along the latter half of the Annapurna Circuit trek route. The income brought in from the trekkers was supplemented by the income from the newly successful apple crop until a few years ago.
When a new transportation road was completed that extended from Beni in the south to Jomsom in the north. This new road provided unprecidented access to this remote area, that on one hand was a positive addition to the area because agriculture products could quickly be transported to further markets. However, this new road also gave trekkers the ability to skip over many villages by means of a bus or jeep that has left the guesthouses of these villages in a dire situation.
Add another key player, climate change and the future of this beautiful, remote area seems even more uncertain. With warmer temperatures not only affecting the crops they eat on a daily basis, but the newly successful apple industry. In the southern parts of the valley the apples are becoming lumpy and inedible. The inverse is that villages further north are now able to grow apples.
This film serves as a snapshot of a story that is not over yet. What the future holds for apples in this region, only time will tell.
Where the funds will go:
Post production costs- Paying to have an original score written for the film as well as some final graphics designed.
Film Festival Entries- Entering this film into a number of film festivals is important to me not just as a filmmaker but as a means to spread awareness about what is happening in this little corner of the world.
Please remember, no donation is too small, and I am grateful for every dollar, facebook share, tweet or message of encouragement.
Risks and Challenges:
In the world of technology, crazy stuff happens all the time. Software gliches, harddrives crash, coffee is spilt, chargers are fried, the internet goes down... unforseeable problems will arise, and persistance becomes a key player in taking this project the last 100 meters across the finish line.
Whether it's a few bucks or a share on Facebook, thank you so much for your support of this project!
Trailer: