The starting point of addressing any problem is to create major public awareness, especially for a vast & diverse issue like environmental conservation. We strongly believe that conservation needs extensive awareness among the people so that they are influenced to take the next step. With this goal in mind, Foliage organized an event ? Ecofest, which aims at involving the people in spreading awareness about the harmful effects of issues like deforestation, poaching & environmental degradation. It aimed at bringing together the creative minds for a unique contest to spread the message of conservation in an
innovative & effective way. Ecofest was competition and screening of ?Short films & Presentations? based on the theme of environmental awareness and wildlife conservation. The competition comprised of two categories:
1. Short Films: In this category, participants need to shoot a short-film or a short documentary that would effectively convey the message of environmental conservation. The duration of the film can be a maximum of 15mins and can be shot on any type of camera or software.
2. Presentations: In this category, participants need to make an audio-visual presentation ? a compilation of photographs or slides, catering to the core theme. The duration of the presentation can be a maximum of 10mins.
Why short films and presentations only?
Today short films and presentations are some of the most creative media through which one can create awareness about grave issues. In our fast paced lives with limited attention span, talks, long feature films or lectures often fail to click with the audience. What is required is a medium that communicates the thought in the most precise way & retains the attention of the spectators till the end. Thus the most effective way of sending a message is through a short presentation or a short film.
Looking at the techno savvy youth today almost anyone can shoot a short film, edit it and thus express his thoughts about the subject. For those who do not have the resources to make a film they can make a presentation which is self explanatory and present it in an equally effective and creative way. This competition not only will ensured the awareness of the audience but also the awareness of the participants as it does take a significant amount of study to make an awareness film/presentation.
We believe that this event gave the exact mixture which is needed to spread the message of environmental protection. The creativity of these media & explosiveness of competitive spirit served the purpose like no other medium.
Last Date of entries September 30th 2009
Details of screenings
Dates 6, 7 & 8 November 2009
Venue S. M. Joshi Auditorium
