Ecocinema: Film and art festival at Kolkata's American Center brings environmental awareness

Posters and artworks made by youth leaders focused on air quality, conservation, sustainability, recycling and green practices were exhibited. A photography exhibition was inaugurated by American Center Director Monica Shie along eminent painters Subrata Gangopadhaya and Padmabhushan Jatin Das.

Selected short films were screened and awarded by a panel of judges.

The films were judged on the basis of quality of production, theme, originality, narration and public messaging.

The award-winning films will also be screened in Guwahati, Patna and Ranchi.

Inaugurating the event American Center Director Monica Shie said, “The United States is proud of our record as a world leader in reducing all emissions and fostering resilience at home and abroad. The U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata supports initiatives that utilize art as a medium to educate, advocate and support communities in addressing challenges to creating and maintaining a sustainable environment. We seek to engage with stakeholders and help create advocates to save the environment, mitigate air pollution and bring in sustainability through arts.”

Dr. Dipayan Dey, Chair, SAFE, said, “The ‘Eco-Cinema - A Greener World through Art’ is an initiative to utilize digital and creative art forms as vehicles of communication to promote and advocate sustainable lifestyle education for the common people in addressing challenges to create and maintain a sustainable environment in the climate milieu. The project focused on using the films as a tool and catalyst for creating impact on environmental preparedness for better habitat, sustainable practices and adaptive change management.”