Entries invited for the Wildlife and Environmental Film Festival

Malayala Manorama, Thursday, 26 May 2005

New Delhi: The Vatavaran film festival, India’s only carnival of environment and wildlife films, has chosen its theme this year as Forests for Life. The event organised by Centre for Media Studies (CMS) and supported by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, will be held in New Delhi from November 21 to 24.

A range of environment and wildlife films is to be screened at the festival. Awards have been instituted for films on Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Natural History, Environment, Public Service Messages Spots. In addition awards will be given for the best Animation Film, Student Film as well as for the most Environmentally Conscious Broadcaster. This year more awards ranging from Rs 50000 to Rs 1.5 lakh will be given for films in the Competitive Section.

A Jury of eminent filmmakers, headed by Shyam Benegal, will decide the award winning entries. The number of entries to the festival has been steadily increasing from 100 in 2002 to 154 in 2003. The award winning entries at the festival will be shown in other cities as part of Vatavaran Travels so as to create awareness.

CMS intents to encourage young, environmentally-conscious filmmakers by giving film fellowships of Rs One lakh each.

The last date for filing entries is notified as 15 July 2005.

The highlights in the non competitive section of the film festival include the best of Asian films and a retrospective of masters Richard Brock and David Attenborough.