Environmentally friendly filmmakers summoned
The Ecofilms Rhodes International Film and Visual Arts Festival, the only event of its kind in the Mediterranean and the Balkans dedicated to the environment, is calling for new entries by March 1. Held on the island of Rhodes from June 21-26 – under the auspices of the non-profit association Image and Environment and Rhodes Municipality, with the support of local authorities as well as the Ramsar Convention and its Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative (MedWet) – this annual event is aimed at raising public awareness on environmental issues, while also promoting Rhodes as an artistic hub in the Mediterranean. The Ecofilms Festival encompasses documentaries, shorts and features with themes based on the environment and ecology. It aims to draw attention to conservation issues and topics related to the natural, human and built environment. The Best Feature Film prize carries a 7,000-euro purse; the second prize for Best Feature a 5,000-euro purse; the MedWet/Ramsar award for the best film on water and wetlands is worth 4,000 euros; the Best Short Film is worth 5,000 euros; the runner-up for Best Short Film will be given 3,000 euros, and, last but not least, there are two audience awards bestowed by the Rhodes Cinema Society. Prizes are awarded to films with an innovative approach to conservation issues, daring proposals and overall artistic quality. A new initiative of the festival is a scholarship fund that will be set up within the next few months to support young students of specialized audiovisual courses that address environmental issues. For more information on the Ecofilms Festival and application forms, log on to the website www.ecofilms.gr, or write to Ecofilms Festival, 21 Ippocratous, Athens 706 80.
