A curated selection of 11 films from nine countries will be showcased to create wider awareness of the impact of climate change on life in cities
New Delhi: The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) is organising the first Urban Climate Film Festival through the CITIIS programme under U20 engagement events.
The festival is being organised with support from the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Government of India, the French Development Agency (AFD), and the European Union. A curated selection of 11 films from nine countries will be showcased to create wider awareness of the impact of climate change on life in cities and engage the public in the dialogue on sustainable urban development.
The objectives of the festival
- Employ the powerful medium of film to enlighten audiences about the environmental, social and economic impacts of climate change on urban settlements.
- Spark conversations about building climate-resilient cities and invite inputs from the public.
- Encourage citizens to undertake “environmentally responsible behaviours” in line with the U20 Priority Areas and the Hon. Prime Minister’s clarion call through the LiFE Mission.
The global call for entries for the festival was launched on January 23, 2023 and closed on March 13, 2023. Filmmakers from around the world were invited to submit films that reflect how the changing environment is affecting life in cities around the world. As many as 150 films from over 20 countries were received.
The entries were evaluated by a jury that shortlisted 27 films from 12 countries.
The jury comprised:
- Dr Surbhi Dahiya (Professor, Indian Institute of Mass Communication)
- Dr Pranab Patar (Chief Executive, Global Foundation for Advancement of Environment)
- Mr Sabyesachi Bharti (Deputy Director, CMS Vatavaran)
The selected films will be screened at the festival in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad over subsequent months.
The Urban Climate Film Festival will be launched on Friday, March 14, 2023 at the M L Bhartia Auditorium, Alliance Française, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi.
The inaugural session will be chaired by Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa. The Ambassadors of France and the European Union to India will deliver the inaugural addresses. Richa Sharma, IAS, Additional Secretary, MoEFCC and Kunal Kumar, IAS, Joint Secretary, MoHUA will deliver the keynote addresses.
The programme in Delhi on March 25 and 26 includes 11 award-winning films from countries like India, France, Germany, Belgium, Poland and the USA and interactive sessions. The schedule can be viewed here: tinyurl.com/2jc873d2
Hitesh Vaidya, Director, National Institute of Urban Affairs said, “Cities are facing massive challenges due to unsustainable levels of stress on infrastructure, natural resources and public services. NIUA supports efforts to enable the transition of Indian cities to a greener future – one that is sustainable, inclusive, and prioritises the health and well-being of the people, along with the country’s economic growth. I believe films are a powerful medium for reaching out to people and starting important conversations about the world around us. By showcasing a variety of films on urban environments, the Urban Climate Film Festival will surely be an eye-opener for many.”
Entry to the Urban Climate Film Festival is free for all. Attendees can register themselves online at https://niua.in/citiis/urban-climate-film-festival#
