SunChild 3rd International Environmental Festival 2011
In 2007 FPWC implemented "SunChild Environmental Festival" in cooperation with its general partner VivaCell-MTS. Since then this unique event is held every second year. It is the only environmental festival in the whole Caucasus region. From October 14th to 18th the third edition of SunChild Festival will take place at different venues in the city centre of Yerevan.
Under the slogan "Your footprint in Nature" the organizers of the 3rd edition of SunChild Festival want to remind everybody that we – as all living creatures – have an impact on nature; Only that human impacts on nature are often much more disastrous than even those of the biggest predators in the animal kingdom. Hence the overall aim of the festival is to initiate a discussion how we can reduce our footprints in order to give room for the footprints of other living creatures.
The South Caucasus is not only one of 34 global Biodiversity Hotspots but also a retreat area for some highly endangered wildlife species. Still leopards, bears, wolves, mufflons and bezoars are leaving their footprints in the remote mountain areas of our region. But as human activities more and more intrude even the most pristine landscapes many wild animals are now facing habitat destruction and extinction. Caring for wildlife means therefore mainly to reduce our footprint and to refrain from our ability to conquer each and every piece of land.
SunChild Festival offers plenty of opportunities to reconsider our footprint in nature and to start a dialogue how we all can contribute to a world which has space and resources for all living creatures – man and animals.
As in the previous editions the festival program combines a competitive nature/wildlife film program with a broad range of other activities (a conference, photo and art exhibitions, environmental actions). Moreover the festival program with its huge opportunities to participate attracts the public and raises the general awareness for environmental issues in the region. Many guests from all over the world will participate in the event. Among these guests will be film makers and artists, representatives of international organizations and renowned environmentalists.
As the festival emphasizes the participation of the young generation it has a huge children program. This program includes a youth's film competition for young filmmakers as well as a lot of environmental activities.
Official selection
Nomination Category:
Film Name: GARBAGE! THE REVOLUTION STARTS AT HOME
Director: Andrew Nisker
Country: Canada
Runtime: 76 min
Nomination Category:
Film Name: GOLD MEN, RESISTANTS FOR THE EARTH
Director: Cyril Peyramond
Country: France
Runtime: 91 min
JURY MEMBERS
SunChild Film Program
Flo Stone
Tiit Mesila
Alice Savadyan
John Burton
Henry M. Mix
Adrienne Hall
Eleonora Gabrielyan
AWARDS
The trophies of the SunChild International Environmental Festival are unique handmade artworks created from recycled metals. These unique art works are designed and created by a distinguished artist, founder of Baghdasar Studio Sargis Baghdasaryan.
SunChild 14th International Environmental Festival has 4 nominations
SunChild Film Program
As an answer to our call for entries we received 100 films from 30 countries throughout the year. The majority of the submitted films is of outstanding quality and presents an exciting exploration about the state of nature and environment all around the world. Among this year's film submissions are also many films which have won awards in important international festivals. Most of them will be screened in Armenia for the first time. Thus the film program will give the Armenian audience an overlook over the best productions in wildlife and environmental film making worldwide.
The SunChild Festival Film Program screens all in all 80 films from over 20 countries. The film program aims to be a tool to inform the public about the state of our global environment with this year's focus on the topic wildlife and to encourage each citizen to become an active advocate for nature protection. Moreover the film program will present several programs with a special thematic focus for example about waste and mining.
SunChild Film Program presents an informational and a competitive film program. Most of the film screenings are open for the public free of charge and accompanied by public Q&A meetings with filmmakers, environmentalists, artists and other personalities dedicated to film, culture and/or nature. For the children film program many children and youths from the capital as well as from the regions will have the opportunity to come to Yerevan and to visit the screenings. We also received a wide range of films directed by children and youth, which is a very proud point for us.
Main Competition Programs
The festival’s main film section features a competitive international film program in two categories:
● Competition for the best wildlife documentary
● Competition for the best film about environmental issues
Children Competition Program
The festival’s children film section features a competitive program in one category:
● Competition for the best Documentary / Animation made by film makers under 16