Thursday, January 30, 2014

Breathtaking

The CMS Vatavaran Environment and Wildlife Film Festival in New Delhi in one word: BREATHTAKING.

Walking through the gate of Ignca Lawns it is hard to believe that a green paradise like this exists right in the centre of India's Capital.  The events at CMS Vatavaran, which is in its 7th year, are split into 6 different themes (INFO) that take place in separate areas of the 27-acre Ignca Lawns.

Environmentally-themed films, photo exhibitions and events amid such natural beauty is truly inspiring.




 
The opening ceremony was held this evening on the Grand Stage, and some of the festival's major award recipients were honoured.  Documentary filmmaker Vijaya Mulay was given the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented by Dr. Karan Singh, the president of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.  During her acceptance speech, the 92-year-old denied that her work was worthy of such recognition.  She then reminded the audience, "it is not only important to watch these films (about environmental issues) but to act upon them."

In his key note address, Dr. Mula reflected on the recently increasing number of environmentally-themed films.  "Awareness has become so prevalent," he warned, "because our behaviour has become so destructive."



Following the opening ceremony the party began as the crowd was treated to a performance by a traditional bamboo band and local delicacies were served in the food court.



Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Namaste

The fourth leg of the World Tour of 'A2-B-C' is about to begin: I am flying to India in the morning to attend the 7th annual CMS VATAVARAN Environment and Wildlife Film Festival in New Delhi where  'A2-B-C' (WEBSITE) is screening twice on Sunday (INFO) and is nominated for an award in the Environmental Conservation International Category.


Coming back home to Japan for about long enough to do laundry, I will then be off to Texas for the Thin Line Film and Music Festival, where 'A2-B-C' is screening on Valentine's Day (INFO).


After visiting some family in the US, I will then be popping over to Taiwan where 'A2-B-C' will be screening on February 28 and March 1 (details posted HERE soon).

From there I will be heading to Germany where I have been invited to screen 'A2-B-C' during a German-Japanese-Belorussian symposium about the consequences of the nuclear accidents in Chernobyl and Fukushima (March 4-7).

And then the 3rd anniversary of the March 11, 2011, disaster will be upon us.

Thank you all so very much for your support and encouragement during what has been a most humbling and life-changing period.

Tuesday, January 07, 2014

Friendship

2014 has only just begun, but I already have so many things for which to be grateful, beginning with good friends, a warm place to stay and healthy food to eat.

And it looks like the adventure on which my film 'A2-B-C' brought me in 2013 (INFO) is not quite over yet!  I am extremely honoured to announce two more screenings in upcoming international festivals.

At the end of this month, 'A2-B-C' will be screening in India's CMS Vatavaran Environment and Film Festival Forum (INFO).  'A2-B-C' has been in many "themed" film festivals (Japanese, ethnographic, peace, human rights), but this will be the first time for one of my films to be in an environmentally-themed festival.  I am so grateful for these amazing experiences (and I am very much looking forward to visiting India for the first time!).

http://www.cmsvatavaran.org/entry2013international.php

Then in February, 'A2-B-C' will screen in the Thin Line Film and Music Festival (INFO).  This will be the first time for me to attend a combined film and musical festival and to visit Texas, the state motto of which is "friendship".  Awesome.

http://www.thinlinefilmfest.com/index.php/program/film/films-by-name