New Delhi   

Well-made films can motivate people: Jaipal Reddy

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Describing films as the most potent medium for informing and motivating people about environmental issues, Union Minister for Urban Development Jaipal Reddy said on Monday that with the 21st Century being that of the electronic media, well-made films can move people to do something about the world they live in.

Inaugurating the Vatavaran Environment and Wildlife Film Festival in the Capital on Monday, the Minister said environmental films could help put issues on the national agenda more seriously. The opening event was also attended by the Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Pradipto Ghosh, eminent Bengali filmmaker Buddhadeb Dasgupta, Centre for Media Studies chairman, Bhaskara Rao and Tiger Task Force head Sunita Narain.

Supported by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the festival's theme this year being "Focus on Nature, Focus on Life'', nearly 244 entries were received under seven categories this year. While 60 films will be screened in different sections including Asian Panorama, there will also be retrospective screenings of films made by eminent filmmakers Doug Allan and Richard Brock.

Making their debut this year will be three new categories -- animation, public service messaging and students films.

Apart from acting as a platform for some of the best environment films made in the country and around Asia, the festival will see debates and discussions being held on the burning issues of environment and the threats to it. Monday saw the opening of a four-day workshop by the International Federation of Environmental Journalists on "human -wildlife conflicts and the sustainable development''.

The festival will also see a workshop on underwater filming being conducted by eminent filmmaker Doug Allan and Sue Floods for young and aspiring filmmakers.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Ex-Air Force personnel held
485 children rescued from illegal zari units in Delhi
MCD submits list of illegal shops in residential areas
Painting with passion
Animation week in Capital
Still struggling to gain ground
Well-made films can motivate people: Jaipal Reddy
Impeachment of JNUSU head to be opposed by union
Far-reaching directive to power distribution companies
Residents of Patparganj Village on the warpath
Institute for jewellery designing opened
Plea on DUTA results dismissed
MCD seals three farmhouses
Showcasing khadi at IITF
Major traffic jam due to trade fair
Around the City
Briefly
In the Capital Today
Inside Delhi

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu