Press Release
New Delhi, Dec 05, 2006

CMS VATAVARAN ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE FILM FESTIVAL ON A VOYAGE TO RANCHI

Ranchi, December 5, 2006: Iron is hot, a film preview by eminent Ranchi based filmmaker Mr. Meghnath will open the Ranchi CMS VATAVARAN 2006 - Environment and Wildlife Travelling Film Festival at Gossner Theological College, Main Road, Ranchi on 5 December 2006. The festival is being organised by CMS, New Delhi and Manthan Yuva Sansthan, Ranchi.

Supported by Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India; Department of Forests and Environment, Govt. of Jharkhand and Delhi Film Institute, Ranchi CMS VATAVARAN is a visionary initiative of CMS.

Having received tremendous response in cities like Chandigarh, Kashmir, Chennai, Bangalore and Guwahati, CMS VATAVARAN 2006 now brings to Ranchi 34 best of Indian films. Four of these films have been directed by female directors. As many as nine films are related to issues specific to Jharkhand. These nine films have been made by Jharkhand-based filmmakers. The festival will also premier three other films made on Jharkhand issues.

Apart from screenings, a symposium on "Mining and its Effects on Tribal Livelihood", Photography Exhibition, Painting Competition, Film Bazaar and Crafts Bazaar are also on the cards.

The festival will be formally inaugurated on 7 December 2006 by Shri Sudhir Mahto, Deputy Chief Minister with Forests & Environment and Industry, Govt. of Jharkhand.

Recognising the role of visual media's influence on people CMS VATAVARAN has been using this medium to generate environmental awareness and attempt to change minds, attitudes and policies.

CMS VATAVARAN will pursue its aim of bringing the regional environmental concerns on the national agenda by creating an all-encompassing structure for interactive discussions.

The festival aims to reach out to approximately 6000 people including filmmakers, NGOs, government organizations, environmentalists, researchers, conservationists, policy makers, activists, public and private sector organisations and students of all ages.

Join and be a part of this environmental awareness movement!

For more information contact:

CMS
Priya: 09899979165; E: info@cmsvatavaran.org; www.cmsvatavaran.org

Manthan Yuva Sansthan
Sudhir Pal: 9431325249, 9431107277, 2202202 ; E: sudhir_pal@yahoo.com, manthanidnia@gmail.com