ChasDOC inc. warmly welcomes you to the first presentation of the Charleston Documentary Film Festival, or ChasDOC, Oct. 5-8, 2006. An original exposition of some of the world's best-produced documentaries, our inaugural year theme is dedicated to the environment.

Charleston bears a rich tradition in the cultivation of the arts and natural preservation. In this tradition, ChasDOC will screen documentary films and cinematic shorts addressing a wide variety of environmental and ecological issues in films such as "Plagues and Pleasure of the Salton Sea" and "The Real Dirt on Farmer John." Films treating local, regional and international environmental concerns will also be showcased. In all, more than 40 films in four days will be screened in a variety of venues in Downtown Charleston, Folly Beach and The Navy Yard at Noisette in North Charleston, many of which are family-friendly. Tickets are only $6 per film, or $45 for an all-access festival pass, including admission to the opening and closing parties. Saturday and Sunday night screenings are free and open to the public! The films will be complemented by the opening party and a closing celebration, with the Green Lounge at the American Theater opened throughout, "serving" refreshments, all-day screenings, ticket purchases and free Internet access for laptops.

We are excited to have created a quality Film Festival for this outstanding city, which has always supported the arts and endeavors to protect its ecological heritage. With the anticipated high response, ChasDOC -- the only film festival in Charleston -- will become an annual event!

ChasDOC is committed to bringing its audience innovative film work of artistic merit that informs and enlightens. We endeavor to affirm through the entertaining and visually appealing format of film what South Carolinians have known for generations: that our land, our environment, and our wildlife must be preserved with the utmost of our collective and individual abilities. Join us in the exhibition of distinctive cinematic work by filmmakers both established and up-and-coming, and learn more about eco-social issues that impact concerned citizens locally and globally.

ChasDOC is supported by ChasDOC inc., a 501c3 not-for-profit organization created in February of this year. ChasDOC inc.'s mission is to teach and educate the community on how to produce award-winning documentary films and videos on issues of concern, and in correlation with top environmental and human rights groups, produce significant works of social art, measurable in economic and cultural change through the mantra: think global, act local.

ChasDOC inc. also supports a year-round filmmaking program called The ChasDOC Film Society. Currently in production of their first film, "There's No Place Like Home," ChasDOC Film Society hopes to produce four feature documentaries a year, all with local filmmakers treating local issues. Our second film, "Water is Life" (March 2007), is a month-long kayak expedition through the watershed of South Carolina.

ChasDOC is also a full-fledged film and video production company for hire.

A sincere thank you to the community members, companies and organizations who have generously supported ChasDOC through financial gifts and the donation of time and expertise. Charleston's leading film festival would not exist without your help.