S1.E15 ∙ Ixthioskala

The art of puppetry, performance, and the creation of imaginative 'inner pictures' is described in the voice of Monique Grund, master kindergarten teacher and the writer/director of The Magic Lantern Marionette Theater's 2013 premiere production. Inspired by the natural world of the San Francisco Bay, with its many sea creatures and aquatic parks, 75 year old Monique deftly describes her creative research and the formidable challenges faced in presenting an underwater story convincingly in a live theater performance. With a dedicated crew of teacher/puppeteers moving artfully crafted, exquisitely costumed sea creature marionettes, the story of 'The Princess Mermaid' unfolds with sparkling delight.

Long Live TOY profiles the world of a children's theater company located in the 3rd poorest city in the USA. Follow the TOY Company in Buffalo, NY as they lead through their 40Th season in the face of unforeseen local county funding cuts. We watch the inner workings of this devoted theater company as they stay focused to meticulously produce a season of plays that are artistically exciting, innovative in form and style and relevant in content for the children in the community. At the same time, watch as their voice in the funding fight leads the arts community in the funding battle.

The 'Log Cabin Project' documentary is a collaborative effort between Tim Stamps and Nathan Zamarron documenting the construction of a livable green architecture structure in Carter County, Kentucky. The documentary details Zamarron's approach to net-zero design, re-use of material, and sustainable living.

For the Love of Fish-Paste reveals the crucial misconception held by the United Arab Emirates community regarding the spaying/neutering of the stray cat population. We take you to the streets and the different animal shelters/veterinaries to hear explanations from different volunteers and veterinarians.

In this colourful and informational documentary, presenter Alec Doomadgee meets with smokers, ex-smokers and health professionals to talk about how to quit smoking cigarettes. Along the way, Alec finds out some of the support, methods and medications available to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to 'blow away the smokes'. The film, made for the 'No Smokes North Coast' project on the North Coast of NSW, Australia, highlights the issue that smoking is the number one killer of Indigenous peoples, and empowers smokers and communities to make a positive choice to improve their lives.

Through an intimate lens, this film documents the work of Union Agricultores Minifundistas to help farmers in Guatemala work organically and sustainably, and the effect they have had on local Mayan farmers on a financial, educational and emotional scale.