(Flagstaff, AZ) - From October 10-14, Flagstaff becomes a spectacular cinematic destination to celebrate the spirit of exploration and filmmaking during the ninth annual homegrown Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival (FMFF). Taking place at the historic Orpheum Theater, this year's programming of over 40 films offers a rare, eclectic line-up.

Each unique session exposes new points of view, experiences, landscapes and thrills with many of the filmmakers present to discuss the passion behind their projects. Sessions this year include favorites such as the extreme sports program, a locals program, an environmental program and something new, an exclusive “sneak peak” of select scenes from the upcoming documentary Wrenched: The Legacy of The Monkey Wrench Gang, being produced in the four-corners region. Wrenched captures the passing of the monkey wrench from the pioneers of eco-activism to a new generation who carry Edward Abbey’s legacy into the 21st century.

The preview will be accompanied by a panel of environmental legends, friends of Abbey’s and the film’s team, producer Kurt Engfehr (main editor and co-producer on two of Michael Moore’s films, the Oscar-winning, Bowling For Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11), director, ML Lincoln (director of Drowning River), and editor, Patrick Gambuti, Jr. (editor and co-director on At the Edge of the World, editor and co-writer, Greedy Lying Bastards and Bill W.). Introducing the session will be critically acclaimed author Craig Childs, who will be giving a spoken word performance.

During the week of the festival, local students will be treated to a new genre of filmmaking, a dramatic departure from mainstream Hollywood. Because of the festival, approximately 1000 high school students will attend screenings programmed for them with an accompanying curriculum.

The Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival is a non-profit, volunteer-run effort. Any profits from the event are reinvested into future festivals, the Student Program or the Emerging Filmmaker Program; a free, weekly activity for Flagstaff high school students teaching filmmaking basics.

The event is happy to be gaining the support of the community. Recently Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center (BDPEC) joined the festival as the Title Sponsor. Darla Espinosa, Director of Marketing for BDPEC commented, “The film festival is about bringing families and friends together for a fun social event. Our doctors, staff and patients are among those families. It goes beyond providing vision care when we have the opportunity to give back. It’s about supporting our family.”

Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center is opening a new state of the art facility in Flagstaff, bringing Bladeless LASIK surgery to the area.

The Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival highlights a collection of the most inspiring and thought-provoking social, environmental, outdoor-adventure and indigenous films from around the world.

For more information call (928) 600-6572.