Following a successful run across the globe on the film festival circuit, "The Linguists" (Seth Kramer, Daniel A. Miller, and Jeremy NewBerger) will have its world premiere broadcast February 26 on PBS (Check your local listings). The film, which chronicles linguists David Harrison and Gregory Anderson who are on a whirlwind race against time to document endangered languages, was a hit at the All Roads Film Festival 2008. With such a concerted effort lauded upon the ecological challenges of climate change, endangered languages provides a tangible reminder of the cultural implications facing our planet. Harrison and Anderson, the linguists, are at the forefront of The Enduring Voices Project, a partnership between National Geographic Mission Programs and the Living Tounges Institute for Endangered Languages.

Since its world premiere on the festival circuit in February, C. Karim Chrobog's War Child has received numerous awards and critical accolades from Bologna to New York. The film is an inspirational portrait of London based hip-hop artist Emmanuel Jal, a former Sudanese child soldier that has been able to create a new life for himself through music. In 2006, as the featured musical performer at the All Roads Film Festival, Jal moved audiences from L.A. to D.C. Footage captured from his D.C. performance at National Geographic Headquarters actually made it into the final cut of the film, providing a glimpse into the physical presence and lyrical skills of this talented artist.

The film is currently screening in Washington D.C. at Landmark's E. Street Cinema.

The image of an isolated polar bear drifting away on a runaway ice shelf has reached many hearts as a touching reminder of the urgent challenges facing our planet as a result of climate change. Tragically, the polar bear is not the only species under an imminent threat. Films such as Time & Tide, which screened as part of the All Roads Film Festival in 2006, and explorers such as Dr. Elizabeth Lindsey have placed a human face on the crises by identifying threatened islands and their populations as the "canaries in the coal mine" for the consequences of climate change. Suggesting perhaps more symbolism than substance, the entire population (est. 12,000) of the island nation of Tuvalu recently applied for asylum in Australia. While their request was officially denied, government officials are now exploring the idea of a new visa category to "cover climate change refugees." The Maldives, a nation of 1200 islands whose highest point is 2.3 meters above sea level is exploring a different tact to relocate their population of 370,000, purchasing new land. In this global real-estate market that is currently tending favorable towards buyers, Prime Minister Mohamed Nasheed has proposed setting aside the country's tourism revenues to literally buy a new homeland. The cultural implications for relocating an entire population into another sovereign nation in one fell swoop are dramatically enormous.

The 2008 All Roads Film Festival arrived in Hollywood, CA providing a refreshing glimpse into our planet's many cultural treasures amidst the staid breeze of uncertainty that had settled within the west coast valley. As K'NAAN's "Smile" oozed from the stage and into the LA night, a sense of positive vibrations seemed to sweep the prudence one faces when encountering a new discovery. According to All Roads Film Project director, Francene Blythe, "All Roads is place to travel around the world without going too far awary from home." She officially opened the festival reflecting upon the pillars that set the 5th year into being.

"Images & Stories: A New Generation" provides the thematic centerpiece for the film and photography showcased throughout the 2008 festival. With 29 dynamic films and 4 captivating photography exhibits collectively representing 20 cultures from 15 countries, the LA launch provided the broad strokes of a vast cultural landscape of past traditions, contemporary stories and new ideas. Stand out films and programs included, The Linguists, which chronicles a whirlwind expedition of Enduring Voices, a National Geographic initiative, that seeks to document endangered languages before the last fluent speaker dies. Two of the film's principals, lead researcher David Harrison and Johnny Hill Jr., one of last fluent speakers of Chemehuevi, were on hand to provide greater depth into the film's back-story and revitalization efforts, an omnipresent theme addressed throughout the festival. Last night, All Roads hosted a pre-festival event at the Mexican Cultural Institute showcasing the revitalization of the son music tradition along the Tesechoacán.River in the state of Veracruz, Mexico Persian Portraits was also a refreshing surprise. Programmed by Iran's Documentary Experimental Film Center as a cultural bridge through film, the program's five dynamic films portray a wide range of thematic ideas and emotions through the eyes of contemporary Iranian society. The festival also served host to three All Roads Seed Grantees making their North American and World Premieres respectfully, Welcome to Ernurmino!, What Was Promised and Keao.

The 2008 All Roads Film Festival is now underway following an exciting night highlighted by the smooth hip-hop stylings of K'NAAN.

Meet K'NAAN. The Somali born, award winning, hip-hop artist is set to headline the 2008 All Roads Film Festival.

The 2007 All Roads Film Festival has landed in the "Land of Enchantment" for its final destination of the year. With last night's premiere screening of "Super Amigos" and the opening of the photography exhibit, All Roads set into motion a very strong presence here at the Santa Fe Film Festival. Still to come, are more captivating films and the music of Tinariwen on Friday. For the filmmakers and photographers, the fellowship shared among all is special. Coming from such destinations as Finland, Australia, Canada and Mexico to name a few, Santa Fe has the feeling of a family reunion after festival runs in Los Angeles and Washington D.C. It is truly endearing to witness the cultivation of the these relationships first hand.

More to come...

Photos courtesy of Lenny Williams & Elizabeth Stevens, National Geographic Society

All Roads Photographer Akintunde Akinleye is featured in the Washington Post Style & Arts Studio Check out this image! Akintunde will be joined by all of the All Roads Photographers for the Washington D.C. run of the festival October 4-7.