Film Festival on Environment

The Hindu, Wednesday, 25 May 2005

The green brigade has something to look forward to: the country's only film festival on environment and wildlife films, Vatavaran Film Festival, this time round on the theme of "Forests for Life". While the festival will be held in the Capital from November 21 to 24, for the moment, it is open for entries. The last date for entries in July 15.

In the competitive section, awards have been instituted in eight categories. They include films on wildlife conservation, wildlife natural history, environment, public service message spots, animation film, student film and the most environmentally conscious broadcaster.

"For the student-film category, we will be looking at an age group of at least secondary level schooling and above. And not just students of media institutes but anyone interested in the theme. For the environmentally conscious broadcaster, we will be looking at the content from the period January 2004 to December 2004," says the Deputy Director of the Centre for Media Studies, Sanjay Mohan.

A jury of eminent film makers headed by Shyam Benegal will decide the award-winning entries. These will travel to different cities as part of Vatavaran Travels so that people all over can view the films.

And that's not all. In the non-competitive sections, the best of Asian films and a retrospection of masters like Richard Brock and David Attenborought will be screened. Organized by CMS, the festival has been supported by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.