Tales of resilience scoop film awards

NEW DELHI, 05 November 2016 – Three films of human resilience in an era of increasing disaster risk and a changing climate have scooped the main prizes at a prestigious awards ceremony.

The documentaries – from Vietnam, Indonesia and India – were honoured for their insightful journalism and compelling tales of local innovation at the closing of the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction 2016 (AMCDRR 2016).

The awards ceremony of the DRR Short Film Competition 2016 provided a suitably uplifting note to the closing ceremony of a successful and productive AMCDRR 2016.

‘I play, I learn and I am safe’ from Vietnam won the best short film on the positive human impact of DRR. In its citation, the competition jury said: “This beautiful film stars schoolchildren who are full of energy and learning. It delivers a powerful message of hope and shows how simple and fun games can save lives and protect our future.”

Collecting the prize on behalf of the film producer, Centre of Live and Learn for the Environment and Community, Ms. Dang Thuy Duong told the 1,000-plus strong audience: “Children are losing their lives and future due to rising disaster risks and are not actively engaged in managing this disaster risk. At Live and Learn, we want to change that by making disaster risk education to be lively and engaging for young people to prepare for any natural hazards. Children love fun, and we all learn best when we are active."

‘The Resilient Ones from the East of Indonesia’ won the best short film on disaster risk reduction for development. The citation from the competition jury said: “This uplifting, well-paced story shows a community coming together in collaboration rather than competition. The resulting improvement in the management of their scarce water supply benefits everyone, increasing harvest yields and strengthening food security.”

Ms. Kartika Juwita, who collected the award on behalf of the film producer CORAID and KARINA, Yogyakarta, said: “This movie is made from the voices of the Nusa Tenggara Timur community; it reflects the community’s experiences in the Partners for Resilience programme. By watching this movie people will better understand how disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and environmental restoration management can be integrated into more sustainable livelihood development.”

‘The Catalysts of Change Adapting to Changing Weather in Ladakh’, from India, won the best short film on adapting to climate change. The citation from the competition jury said: “This wonderfully told and stunningly filmed story shows the disruptive impact of climate change and how informed and empowered people will form the adaptive and resilient communities of the future. It is a work of hope, beauty, and inspiration.”

Collecting the award on behalf of the producer SEEDS, Ms. Meghna Chawla said: “After the devastating 2010 floods, the creeping climate impacts in Leh, Ladakh, gained attention and showed how the local communities are increasingly vulnerable. Their innovative micro-level solutions such as weather schools and artificial glaciers are helping to address this. Attempts are being made to link such solutions into district, state and national planning.”

The winners received their trophies and US$2,000 prize money from the Union Minister of Home Affairs for India, Mr. Rajnath Singh. They were watched by several other dignitaries including UNISDR champion and Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr. Kiren Rijiju, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Mr. Robert Glasser, as well as an audience of 1,300.

The competition jury – comprising the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), Asia Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) – brought a wealth of journalistic and disaster risk knowledge to their task of picking the three winners.

As well as the winners, the jury selected two runners-up in each category for the quality of their work: Best short film on the positive human impact of DRR – Hello Red Crescent, We Listen to You from Bangladesh, and SURGE Stories of Resilience from the Philippines; Best short film on DRR for development – Documentary of School Safety Programme from India, and PHAILIN, also from India; Best short film on adapting to climate change – Bi’s Dream from Viet Nam, and Rains Shape Lives from Bangladesh.

In total the Disaster Risk Reduction Short Film Competition attracted 52 entries from around the Asia region. The AMCDRR 2016 – and its film competition – was hosted by the Government of India, and organized in collaboration with UNISDR.