Meadows Center hosts screening of San Marcos River film, 'Yakona'

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
March 25, 2014

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University is sponsoring the San Marcos premier of the SXSW Film Festival award-winning film, "YAKONA: A film through the eyes of the San Marcos River," with a free screening 9 p.m. April 12 in Sewell Park.

"YAKONA" is an impressionistic journey down the San Marcos River. The film travels from source to sea, through the changing seasons, interpreting the river’s time and memory, and documenting the relationship between ourselves and the natural world. With more than 200 springs, the headwaters is one of the longest continually-inhabited areas in North America, birthplace of the Coahuiltecan people and is currently under petition for designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. "YAKONA" uses stunning imagery, dynamic sound design and an original score to speak directly to the viewer, appealing to humanity’s higher nature to protect this ancient sacred place.

"YAKONA" had its world premiere at SXSW 2014. The film was met with outstanding praise and appreciation, garnering great reviews and press coverage, three nearly sold out screenings and an Audience Choice Award in the Visions category of the festival.

Directors Anlo Sepulveda and Paul Collins are Texas-based filmmakers who entered the scene with Sepulveda’s directorial debut, "Otis Under Sky," at SXSW 2011, which Collins co-produced. Inspired by the beauty of the San Marcos River and pure cinema films such as The Qatsi Trilogy and Baraka, they came together to create a cinematic journey from source to sea.

The official film website may be found online at www.yakona.org. For more information, or to schedule an interview with the filmmakers, contact Jillian Hall at jill@yakona.org or (512) 638-0943.