Effigy Mounds Film Festival for February 2016

Date: January 26, 2016
Contact: Bob Palmer, [phone] ext 202

February 6, 7, 8 –Secrets of the Crocodile Caves –This remote preserve on the island of Madagascar,a few hundred miles off the coast of Africa, shelters an astonishing array of exotic wild animals. Protected by a fortress of ancient coral mountains with forbidding razor-sharp spires, some of these unusual creatures have thrived unscathed and unchanged for thousands of years. Aggressive Nile crocodiles, incredibly rare crowned lemurs, countless chameleons, and the lethal fossa, described as a "mongoose on steroids," share the lush forest and these deep forbidding caves. Art display by Jessica Salesman and Local Artist Patsy King

February 13, 14, 15 –America's Stone Age Explorers –Who were the first Americans and where did they come from? The conventional view is that they arrive here around 13,500 years ago, but startling new archaeological discoveries suggest it may have been long before that.And experts are testing contentious theories regarding how they got here, including the idea of a dangerous canoe-born voyage from Asia down the west coast of the Americas, or even across the Atlantic from Europe. Art by Albert LeBeau and East, West &Waterville Elem. –Teacher Carlyn Lechtenberg

February 20, 21, 22 –Deadly Beauty of Nature –A rolling thunder roars down a mountain as a massive blanket of snow obliterates everything in its path.Never before has the true fury and power of the mighty Avalanche been captured on film. Long time cinematographer Steve Kroschel has literally risked his life to contrast the destructive chaos of the Avalanche with the geometric brilliance of the simple Snowflake. Display By Albert LeBeau

February 27, 28, 29 –Travel the World by Train –Our journey through North America begins via the Midnight Sun route as we traverse the Alaska wilderness to the Arctic Circle. Traveling from eastern to western Canada, we view the awesome landscapes of the glacier-carved mountains and the vast expanse of the Great Plains. This film is regarded by many to be America's most beautiful train journey as we start on the East Coast and follow the footsteps of the early pioneers across the continent to the shores of the Pacific Ocean on the trans-American route. Art by MFL Mar Mac School –Teacher Natalie Heiring

For more information on the film festival and other upcoming events, visit us online at www.nps.gov/efmo or call the visitor center at [phone] ext. 202. Effigy Mounds National Monument's Visitor Center is located three miles north of Marquette, Iowa and 22 miles south of Waukon, Iowa on HWY 76. Admission to the festival is free.