A Snow Mobile for George

About the Project

A Snow Mobile for George is a documentary film about a rambunctious road trip that collects the stories of fishermen, cowboys and firemen who have to face the consequences of environmental de-regulation by the Bush Administration. The documentary uncovers the political strategy and rationale behind a massive sell-off of public resources.

Fired up by a question over a used snowmobile in the Sierra Nevada, he visits Yurok Indians in Northern California, cowboys in Wyoming, and Wall Street workers in New York City. Delivered with a dry sense of humor, the filmmaker discovers the personal cost of deregulation and--thanks to his snowmobile--uncovers a sophisticated political strategy.

The audience engagement for A Snow Mobile for George created a national series of screening of the film in support of two campaigns for sustainable communities. The Powder River Basin Resource Council and the Northern Plains Resource Council organized screenings in ten states to demand greater protection from the harmful effects of oil and gas development for ranchers and farmers. A second branch of screenings supported the "Leave No Species Behind" campaign of the Endangered Species Coalition to demand immediate Congressional oversight on the abuse of science in environmental regulations. This national tour screened the film before vulnerable rural, agricultural and Native American communities, and in urban areas where environmental justice is long over-due.

The project consisted of Internet outreach, invitations from trusted local messengers, live screenings with speakers, action components, and follow up with policy makers. The trust built by the Resource Councils with ranchers and farmers, and the scientific credibility of the Endangered Species Coalition combined with the film's portrayal of the environmental experience of long ignored, hard-working Americans has the potential to expand the base of stake holders that policy-makers must consider in deciding issues of sustainability.

The Fledgling Fund Impact

The Fledgling Fund was pleased to provide support to create a national series of screenings in support of two campaigns for sustainable communities in the second half of 2008. This film inspired conversation in places where these conversations were rare. We believe that films like this hold enormous potential to inspire change.