From this year's Oscar nominees, it's pretty obvious that we can't rely on big budget films to accumulate our eco-consumer knowledge because the biggest single issue facing humanity, climate change, barely bleeps on the blockbuster film radar. There isn't a single environmentally themed dramatic film or documentary, or even references to climate change in story lines, in the 2019 Oscar nominees.There are however many film festivals around the world doing a great job in portraying environmental issues and educating better ways to live. We have some fantastic festivals here in Australia, showcasing local and international films. You just have to know where to find them. Australians do love a good film festival and these hot beds of ideas keep our thinking progressive and help spur behavioural change in the right direction.
Australia’s only international film festival dedicated to screening films with a focus on the environment is the Environmental Film Festival Australia and it screens in Melbourne this year from 10-18 October 2019.Films screened at Environmental Film Festival Australia encompass a wide breadth of topics, from celebrating the beauty of the world around us, including our nature, flora, fauna and wildlife, to championing the people, organisations, campaigns and projects seeking to protect our environment. And spotlighting the unprecedented global threats we face, including climate change, food sustainability, habitat loss and pollution. You can whet your appetite for EFFA 2019 by checking out last year’s international programme. (If you are a filmmaker, EFFA has just released its call for submissions for 2019.)
The Ocean Film Festival World Tour is a travelling film festival screening in 36 locations around Australia throughout March 2019. The festival is designed to inspire audiences to explore, respect, enjoy, and protect our oceans. It offers a unique selection of films in its 2+hour session, covering topics from conservation of the oceanic environment and marine creatures, to ocean related sports and coastal cultures.
The Antenna Documentary Film Festival screens in Sydney 17-27 October 2019. While it's not a strictly environmental doco festival, but definitely one for eco-consumers to keep an eye on. Antenna Documentary Film Festival have just announced their programme will double in 2019 moving from five to ten days long in line with audience demand. In its own words, ADFF is showcasing the most talked-about films on the international documentary circuit, programming independent and cutting edge films that tread new ground in the documentary landscape.
The Fleurieu Film Festival is an Australian festival held in McLaren Vale, South Australia 9-10 February 2019 and has just wrapped for 2019 with the theme, Climate Change: Hot Topic/Kool Films. The festival is both a celebration of the short film genre, and a competition for filmmakers. The theme is different however each year.This year featured some outstanding environmentally themed films, including Overall winner Wind Giants, Semblance and Ursula. Keep an eye on their 2021 programming theme “Wild”.
Many climate filmmakers like James Bolag who made Chasing Ice and The Human Element, will give you a copy of their film if you are using or screen for education. You simply need contact them and ask.
You know who you are. If you know someone or are someone who makes decisions about the films that show at festivals - whether eco or simply the latest round of open air movies like the Sydney Open Air festival, please consider adding in climate films along with ditching disposables from your event. Many films are short and can often support main films. Every action matters.