THE CANADIAN PRESS

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COURTENAY, B.C. - The World Community Film Festival is "a showcase of stories of everyday heroes," say organizers.

Heroes such as Hannah Taylor of Winnipeg (subject of the film "Hannah's Story"), an 11-year-old activist in the fight against homelessness; Wangari Maathai ("Taking Root"), the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize; and U.S. environmentalist and union organizer Judi Bari ("The Forest for the Trees").

The 18th festival will be staged Feb. 6-7 in Courtenay on the east coast of Vancouver Island. More than 30 films will be screened in what is billed as B.C.'s largest film festival on social justice issues.

Organizers make it clear that idealism underpins the event.

"When it works best, a good social change documentary will . . . inspire and move you," they say on the website www.worldcommunity.ca/film.htm.

"The very act of watching these films with a group of people serves to let us know that we are not alone. In fact there are hundreds in our own community and millions around the world who, like us, believe that a better world is possible. With every action taken, we become more hopeful."