Looks like it’s going to be food and garden week here at doc it out. I just got back from watching The Garden by Scott Hamilton Kennedy and later this week, I’m going to watch Food, Inc. Both come on the heels of my picking up and subsequently putting down Michael Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma…

Whew, I’m way behind in posting here owing to the fact that I’ve been working on articles for other publications (more on that soon), which in my book, is a very good thing. As usual though, my inbox is swamped with goodies. Here is a quick round up of some very cool film stuff: 

- 2008 Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition: Submit your short “narrative, documentary, animated, experimental and/or student-made short films (1-10 minutes in actual or excerpted run time) that explore methods and ideas to responsibly manage and utilize earth’s most precious resource.” Cash prizes and what sounds like a wonderful evening of screening at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden. Deadline to enter is September 1.

- factualTV is a beta site that allows you to watch docs for free. Organized by subject, it looks like mostly programs made for Euro doc channels so it is a good way to access content that you might not otherwise get to see. I was having some wonk accessing the site with Safari, but the site suggests updating your Flash plug-in, which I have yet to do. An already great destination for documentary content.

- First Person Festival of Memoir and Documentary Art, isn’t that just beautiful? Tell a first person story through written word, video or photography, and “find universality in the personal, make the exotic familiar, shock and amaze, or pause to reflect, all while crafting an engaging and true tale around a slice of real life.” Deadline to enter is August 15.

- Perhaps inspired by my own recent attempts to get a handle on composting while apartment dwelling, I’m loving Shira Golding’s article over at MediaRights on Guerilla Gardening. Leave it to Shira to shine a light on this intriguing trend. Plus, Agnes Varda’s The Gleaners & I is one of my top all-time fave docs. Thanks Shira!

- The International Documentary Association has asked producer Eddie Schmidt to to serve as its interim executive director upon the departure of Sandra Ruch. It was nice to think of board president diane estelle Vicari in the role, but also wonderful that Eddie is taking up the challenge. Welcome Eddie and thanks for your service. Read the release>>

When I was researching for yesterday’s indieWIRE green docs article, I came across several sites that I thought were interesting that have nothing to do with film. Thought I’d share them:

GreenDimes -  For $36 a year, this company will stop your junk mail. I might be work that you could do yourself though it sounds labor-intensive to find all the direct mailers to get yourself removed from the mailing lists. I also wonder if it stops the “Resident” mailers. But, I’ve used the telemarketers opt-out and found it to be bliss so this would probably be something I’ll try when I get some extra cash.

Eco-Cell – Donate your old cell phone to raise money for gorrilla conservation.

NYC Donate – Gives you ways to donate all kinds of things, from cell phones to clothes and furniture.

More suggestions to help us deal with trash and/or unwanted goods?