Film fest on green issues

BANGALORE: Civilizations have flourished around rivers and other sources of water. However, the element essential for survival remains beyond the reach of millions today. To create awareness on water-related issues, Voices From The Water 2008, an international film festival, will be held from September 13-18 at Jnana Jyothi Auditorium, Central College, Bangalore University.
This is the third year of the event, organized by a consortium of institutions including Bangalore Film Society, Arghyam, Society for Voluntary Action Revitalization and Justice (SVARAJ), Bangalore University, Fingers Lakes Environmental Film Festival, Ithaca College, Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, Max Muller Bhavan and Water Journeys - Campaign for Fundamental Right to Water. Film-maker Shekhar Kapur will inaugurate the festival.
An organizer said 70 films from over 30 countries - on water, environment, global warming, wildlife and geopolitics - will be screened. The list of directors includes Werner Herzog, often associated with German new wave cinema, and Dutch Bert Haanstra, an Academy Award winner .
The festival aims to create social awareness among children. Two screens will be used, one showing films for high school students from 9 am to 1 pm, and the other for college students and the public from 1.30 pm to 8.30 pm.
Some of the directors will be present at the event to interact and discuss their films. Activists from across the country will narrate incidents from their lives about the significance of water safety and security.
A painting and photo exhibition on water will also be part of the festival. Syamala Nandesh will put up an art installation. Several workshops are also lined up.
toiblr.reporter@timesgroup.com