Congratulations, Susan Allsbrook! Susan won the Free Trip for 2 in Thailand from Intrepid Travel.

The Trip: Northern Thailand is among the greatest adventure destinations on the planet and this journey reveals why: hiking among hill tribes, sailing its rivers, and calling into friendly and colorful villages along the way. This 15-day journey will take her from the chaotic streets of Bangkok to the serene countryside and offer a glimpse into this fascinating country. Plus, during her adventure, Susan will visit the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Hospital and meet Motala and Mosha, two of the elephants featured in “The Eyes of Thailand” documentary.

As promised, ALL DONORS WHO SELECTED THIS PERK WILL GET TO CHOOSE BETWEEN AN “EYES OF THAILAND” POSTER, T-SHIRT OR WATER BOTTLE. You will receive an email within the week to select your preference.
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“The Eyes of Thailand” has contracted Animator Tahnee Gehm to help bring certain stories within the film to life. Examples include Motala’s and Mosha’s trips to FAE’s Elephant Hospital after being injured and Soraida’s inspiration to found FAE, among others.

Tahnee is currently a student at the California Institute of the Arts, studying Character Animation. Creating a handful of internationally-screened animated short films in as many diverse styles as possible, she hopes to one day start her own animation studio. While art and animation have been life-long passions, she also enjoys playing violin and piano, along with tinkering with technology.

We’re thrilled to have Tahnee on board and look forward to unveiling a sneak peek to some animation stills soon. Stay tuned!

Thanksgiving always causes me to reflect on what I’m grateful for, and this year I’m extra grateful for all of your love and support for me, Soraida, the elephants, the staff at FAE and “The Eyes of Thailand” film.

"The Eyes of Thailand" Director/Producer Windy Borman with the cast and crew of The Chiang Mai Project (Thailand, 2007).

In 2007, I celebrated Thanksgiving in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Little did I know that within a week that adventure would lead me to my next documentary project. Armed only with a video camera and an open heart, I visited FAE’s Elephant Hospital and the rest is history.

After three trips, 100+ hours of video footage, countless interviews, and priceless donations from friends and family, we now have a feature-length documentary that will help protect Asian elephants and call for the ban and safe removal of landmines around the world.

Thank you for joining me on this journey and I hope each and everyone of you had a Thanksgiving filled with laughter and love.

Sincerely,

Windy Borman

Producer/Director, “The Eyes of Thailand”

Motala and Mosha each received newly designed elephant-sized prostheses on November 9, 2011. (Photo credit: Soraida Salwala).

LAMPANG, THAILAND–On November 9, 2011, Mosha celebrated her sixth birthday at the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Hospital, and to mark the occasion, the staff of the Prostheses Foundation presented Mosha with her seventh prosthesis.

Dr. Therdchai Jivacite of the Prostheses Foundation presents Mosha's seventh prosthesis to Soraida Salwala, FAE's founder. (Photo credit: Soraida Salwala).

Mosha enjoyed her Birthday treats of tamarind, sticky rice, and bananas before test-driving her new leg in her pen.

Mosha test-drives her new prosthesis. (Photo credit: Soraida Salwala).

“Auntie” Motala, joined the festivities, too, when Dr. Jivacite presented her with her fourth prostheses. She walked over to Mosha’s pen to wish her a Happy Birthday.

Motala, wearing her fourth prosthesis, visits Mosha, a.k.a. the "Birthday Girl". (Photo credit: Soraida Salwala).

Mosha and Motala are both elephant landmine survivors and permanent residents of FAE’s Elephant Hospital. Mosha stepped on a landmine in 2006 when she was only 7-months old. In 2008, she received the world’s first elephant prosthetic, designed by Dr. Jivacite. A decade earlier, Motala stepped on a landmine; she received her first prosthesis in 2009. All of their prostheses have been designed by Dr. Jivacite and donated to FAE by the Prostheses Foundation in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Mosha’s and Motala’s journey is featured in the upcoming documentary, “The Eyes of Thailand“, directed and produced by Windy Borman and produced by Tim VandeSteeg. For more information on the film, visit: http://eyesofthailand.com

Trilogy at The Vineyards presents
Meet the Filmmaker: An Afternoon with Windy Borman, Director of “The Eyes of Thailand”

Join us on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 2:00pm as we welcome the filmmakers of “The Eyes of Thailand“, a feature-length documentary directed and produced by Windy Borman and produced by award-winning producer Tim VandeSteeg.

“The Eyes of Thailand” tells the true and inspirational story of one woman’s quest to help two elephant landmine survivors—Motala and Baby Mosha—walk on their own four legs. Treating their wounds was only part of the journey; building elephant-sized prostheses was another. Told in the style of “The Cove” (2009), “Born into Brothels” (2004) and “Gorillas in the Mist” (1988), “The Eyes of Thailand” is a touching and uplifting story of how far one woman will go to ease the suffering of an endangered species.

Windy will share production stories from the field, updates on the elephants at the Elephant Hospital in Thailand, as well as share an exclusive never-before-seen “Sneak Peek” of a clip of “The Eyes of Thailand” before it’s released in 2012.

All attendees will receive a complimentary glass of wine.

Donations will be accepted after the presentation and all donations are tax-deductible when made via check or through the Film’s IndieGoGo online fundraising campaign. Donation Perks include: posters, T-shirts, artisan chocolates, fine art, invitations to the Film’s Sneak Peeks, a private screening with the Filmmaker for you and 25 friends–even a chance to Win a FREE 15-day Trip for 2 in Thailand. For more information, please visit: http://www.indiegogo.com/The-Eyes-of-Thailand-Film

Please RSVP by:
Calling the Concierge Desk 925.809.7180 OR
Emailing michelle.medina@trilogyresortliving.com

Founder Charles Knowles kicked off the 10^th Annual Wildlife Conservation Expo with some humor, but then got straight to the point: One out of every 1,000 species are going extinct every year.

“It’s a man-made problem,” said Knowles, “so we need a man-made solution.”

Which is exactly why hundreds, consisting of scientists, conservationists and wildlife supporters, gathered in San Francisco, CA: to find solutions to the rapid decline of wildlife around the world.

Next, Dr. Colleen Begg of the Niassa Lion Project shared a proverb from Mozambique: “You can’t dance well on one leg”. While she was speaking of the synergy and creative problem solving that happens when groups of committed people get together, I couldn’t help but see the connections to Motala and Baby Mosha, two elephant landmine survivors featured in “The Eyes of Thailand” documentary. You can’t dance well on one leg or three legs. I thought. Elephants need all four!
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Mosha & Palahdee relax on her mat at FAE. (Photo credit: Michael Wysocki).

By Michael Wysocki

Kammoon, a former patient of FAE admitted a year ago for severe constipation, has now left our world. Heavy rains at an elephant tourist camp proved to be fatal for Kammoon, causing her to slip down into a narrow ravine immobilizing her. The rains poured down and with no truck to help dig her out, time was just too precious. Now we can only imagine her story, and just try to understand her fate.  Bless you Kammoon and thank you for your presence here on earth.

After this tragic loss, and the rains gone for now, we enter a new day filled with sunshine and hope here at FAE. While Soraida heals and regains strength to continue her mission rescuing her “children”, the team stays focused on healing the ones within their reach. Motala and Mosha continue their rehabilitation and practice daily using their Prosthetic leg, I am so proud of you two. Ya’ll bring so much joy to the visitors that come from even across the world to see you. They even know of Mosha’s cheeky habits like turning on the water faucet on the other side of the fence and scrubbing her own enclosure. She loves her young mahout, Palahdee, and just seems so content lying there on her bed resting her body next to him, still using her lively trunk to pick at him.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

While most of the United States was busy marking the 10^th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, half a world away, an endangered Asian Elephant suffered a brutal reminder of the ongoing war raging in Burma (Myanmar).

San Francisco, CA – September 13, 2011 – On Sunday, September 11, 2011, the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Hospital, the World’s First Elephant Hospital, located in Lampang, Thailand, received word that PaHaePo, a Thai male elephant, stepped on a landmine across the border in Burma.

After being stranded by high tides and stuck behind fallen trees from heavy rains, PaHaePo arrived at FAE late at night on September 12, 2011. He joins four other elephant landmine victims being treated at FAE’s Elephant Hospital. All five sustained their injuries in August or September, when heavy rainfall encourages low-lying greenery to take over mountainous trails used for logging and transport between villages–and rebel camps. Burma is the only country actively using landmines in its on-going civil war and no one knows whether government or rebel forces planted the landmines.

Soraida Salwala estimates that over 90 elephants have stepped on landmines since she opened FAE in 1993. Many died before they could receive treatment, and FAE has treated 15, rehabilitating four to date. Motala and Mosha, who stepped on landmines in 1999 and 2006, respectively, are permanent residents at FAE and walk with the assistance of the world’s first elephant-sized prostheses. These amazing feats of perseverance and ingenuity are documented in the feature-length documentary, “The Eyes of Thailand” <http://eyesofthailand.com>, Directed and Produced by Windy Borman and Produced by award-winning producer Tim VandeSteeg. “The Eyes of Thailand” is currently in the Post-production phase and scheduled to premiere in early 2012.

While filming “The Eyes of Thailand” in 2010, two new elephant landmine victims arrived at FAE. After 12 months, Boonmee’s foot is still not fully healed, but Maekapae’s has healed enough that her owner checked her out of the hospital the day after PaHaePo arrived.

FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/eyesofthailand

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/eyesofthailand

Website: http://www.eyesofthailand.com

Photos: http://twitter.com/SoraidaSalwala

Contact: Windy Borman | windy@dvaproductions.com

Director & Producer, “The Eyes of Thailand”

"The Eyes of Thailand" painting by Los Angeles-based artist Annabel Ruffell. Dimensions: 30 inches x 40 inches Medium: Acrylic/Mixed Media

Sir David Attenborough asks: Are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book?

We aren’t at “The Eyes of Thailand” and neither is artist Annabel Ruffell, who has created a new painting, also entitled “The Eyes of Thailand”, which you can bring home when you select the “Ele-Painting” Donation Perk via our IndieGoGo fundraising campaign.

The painting draws inspiration from the Film’s poster and features three of the stars–Soraida Salwala (the founder of FAE’s Elephant Hospital) and two elephant landmine survivors (Motala and Baby Mosha)–walking beneath an ancient Thai teak tree.

“I feel very passionate about supporting ‘The Eyes of Thailand’ [film],” says Ruffell. “Elephants are amazing, intelligent Beings that deserve to live in peace and freedom. They have as much right to this earth as we humans do.”

Annabel Ruffell was born in London, England and grew up in a small town called Ascot, not far from London. She has traveled around the world and lived in Germany, Spain, Australia and South Africa. These experiences have inspired her and are reflected in her art. In 2003, Annabel’s travels led her to Los Angeles, California and she now resides in Santa Monica. Annabel has been painting with acrylics and oils for a number of years now and continues to explore different mediums. Over the years, she has exhibited her art at venues in London and Los Angeles.

“My inspiration comes from all of life; its beauty, its ever-changing form, the light and dark, the extremes it encompasses and all the colors in between,” writes Ruffell. “I have always been fascinated with the power and beauty of color, the merging and mixing of it and the many shades and shapes it can develop into. My intention is to inspire people from all walks of life around the world, with my paintings, prints and greeting cards.”

To learn more about Annabel Ruffell and see her work, please visit: http://www.annabelruffellart.com/

To bring “The Eyes of Thailand” painting into your home, visit our IndieGoGo page and select the “Art For Elephant’s Sake” perk. There’s only one painting available, so act now!

Sincerely,

Windy Borman

Director | Producer, The Eyes of Thailand

I am thrilled to announce that in less than a month we’ve raised over US $2,000 for “The Eyes of Thailand” through our IndieGoGo campaign!  Thanks to donations from our “Ele-Friends” like you, we’re well on our way to securing the US $75,000 needed to complete the Film and submit it to film festivals this fall.

If you haven’t visited our IndieGoGo page, yet, please read the details below and then click here to make your tax-deductible donation today and learn how to share it with your friends.

Our Goal & Donation Perks

Director/Producer Windy Borman filming in Thailand (2009).

Director | Producer Windy Borman began filming “The Eyes of Thailand” in 2007. Thanks to your support over the last 4 years, the filming is complete and we’re ready to begin the Post-production phase. After approximately 16 weeks, the Film will be complete and ready to submit to film festivals.

We need US $75,000 to complete the “The Eyes of Thailand” and get it ready to submit to film festivals by the end of 2011. The current funds sought will be allocated to the Post-production costs of the Film, which include: crew wages; celebrity narrator; editing; visual effects; music composer/score; animation; color correction; transfer costs; music and stock footage rights; lab fees; film festival submissions; producers’ and director’s fees; and business, insurance and legal expenses.

We know it’s a big goal, but we also know we can do it with your help! Plus, we’ve gathered some GREAT perks for our Ele-Friends, including:

Win a FREE 15-day Trip for 2 in Thailand from Intrepid Travel

• Posters
• T-shirts
• Artisan chocolates by Choclatique
• Fine art photography by Jodi Frediani and Suzanne Roland
• Invitations to the Film’s Sneak Peeks
• A private screening with the Filmmaker for you and 25 friends, and
• A CHANCE TO WIN A FREE 15-DAY TRIP FOR 2 IN THAILAND from Intrepid Travel.

For more information on the Donation Perks, please visit http://ht.ly/5Wntb . We’ll add to it as more perks are available, so check back often.

NOTE: ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE thanks to our fiscal sponsor, the San Francisco Film Society.

If we don’t reach our fundraising goal of $75,000, we will still push the Film through to completion; it just may take longer to complete, which means delaying the impact we can make to protect endangered Asian Elephants and pressure all governments to sign the Mine Ban Treaty.

If we exceed our Fundraising Goal, we will apply the funds toward the Film’s Marketing and Publicity budget so we can make a bigger splash when we hit the film festival circuit in 2012.

Our Impact

Our social and environmental goals for “The Eyes of Thailand” are to:

• Educate and inspire viewers to protect Asian Elephants, and
• Encourage all governments to ban the use of landmines

Our ultimate hope is to convey the added sense of urgency for people and organizations worldwide to pressure Thailand to change its laws to protect the dwindling number of Asian Elephants. If nothing is done, the species will become extinct within the next 50 years, producing devastating effects on the environment, as well as the social and cultural structure of the country.

Other Ways You Can Help

In addition to donating to “The Eyes of Thailand“, you can help spread the word by joining our Facebook Page, following us on Twitter and suggesting us to your friends. There are some handy “share” tools on IndieGoGo to make this easier, so please check them out, too.

If you really want to be a Social Media Star, you can help promote “The Eyes of Thailand” fundraising campaign to your network. Email friends, give us shout outs on Facebook and Twitter, mention us in your Newsletters and Blogs, and add a link to the Film on your website.

15-piece Choclatique Collection, including a dark chocolate elephant

Not feeling techie? No problem. You can also host a Party with a Purpose for your “Ele-Friends” in honor of “The Eyes of Thailand”.

1. Host a dinner party, dance party, game night, etc. and have a suggested donation at the door.
2. Play “The Eyes of Thailand” trailer, which you can find on our website and YouTube.
3. Ask your friends to donate to “The Eyes of Thailand” film.
4. Pool the donations and make a large donation online.

In fact, if you donate $5,000 or more, you qualify for a Private Screening with Director Windy Borman for you and 25 friends!

Our Story

"The Eyes of Thailand" Poster

D.V.A. Productions, in Association with Indiewood Pictures, is producing the powerful and hard-hitting feature documentary “The Eyes of Thailand“, a true and inspirational story of one woman’s quest to help two elephant landmine survivors—Motala and Baby Mosha—walk on their own four legs. Treating their wounds was only part of the journey; building elephant-sized prostheses was another.

Told in the style of “The Cove” (2009), “Born into Brothels” (2004) and “Gorillas in the Mist” (1988), “The Eyes of Thailand” is a touching and uplifting story of how far one woman will go to ease the suffering of an endangered species.

The Film is Directed and Produced by Windy Borman and Produced by award-winning producer Tim VandeSteeg.