FilmTT GM's Address at Green Screen Environmental Film Festival
- 2. Page | 2 The Honourable Camille Robinson-Regis, Minister of Planning and Development His Excellency Lutz G旦rgens, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany His Excellency Fernando Schmidt, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile Carver Bacchus, Founder and Director of Green Screen - The Environmental Film Festival Lisa Mahabir, Sagicor Members of the Green Screen organising team Visiting guests, Members of the media, All special guests,
- 3. Page | 3 Good evening. It is my pleasure to share a few thoughts on behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company, FilmTT, and to congratulate Sustain T&T on hosting the 6th edition of Green Screen The Environmental Film Festival. What an accomplishment! In just five years, this event has grown steadily, from an audience of 200 in year 1, to 2000 in year 5, and has the potential to increase this number significantly in 2016. As we all now know, this sixth year of Green Screen sees it evolve from a film series to a full film festival, with an increase in film screenings, panel discussions by highly-acclaimed, international environmentalists, (including the co-founder of Greenpeace, Bobbi Hunter, who is here with us this evening), and events aimed to fundraise
- 4. Page | 4 as well as to expand reach to new audiences interested in the environment, and in sustainable living. FilmTT is proud to be a first-time Supporting Partner of such a worthy and unique film festival. Green Screen, and its parent company Sustain T&T, are becoming a collective reference point for NGO-led environmental and sustainability education; smartly, they have especially been targeting schools in this vein, acknowledging that caring about the environment really has to do with behaviour change, and that our young people are best positioned to create and spread self-aware habits to tread more carefully on the earth. In our role as the state company responsible for the strategic development of the audio-visual and film industry, setting a
- 5. Page | 5 firm foundation is critical to drive success for all. This is why, for Green Screen, we were particularly interested in targeting our investment toward the Films for a Better Place workshop and grant programme, where 5 local documentary shorts with environmental themes were created, and will be screened during the festival. Though small, this programme has the potential to become a regular incubator for a specific type of much-needed film that addresses the many pressing issues related to our environment. We applaud your efforts to develop capacity and to invest in local content creation, and we look forward to seeing these films and many more in this years Festival.
- 6. Page | 6 As you know, diversification continues to be crucial to the evolution of our national economy, and for us at CreativeTT, the creative genius of our citizens in the areas of film, fashion and music, is at the heart of our efforts. In the coming year, FilmTT will continue to facilitate the development of the local film industry through a tight programme of activities. This includes the creation of a 5 10- year strategic action plan for the industry that will assess where we are now, set a vision for where we want it to go, and establish action plans for how to get there. Key to our work will also be rebuilding Trinidad and Tobagos regional and international film industry network as a means of facilitating new opportunities and access for local content
- 7. Page | 7 creators. Through these and other plans, FilmTTs goal is to ensure that Trinidad and Tobagos audio-visual and film industry becomes a commercially viable, long-term contributor to national wealth. I also take this opportunity to commend Sustain T&T on the transformational work that theyre doing, outside of Green Screen. Raising awareness of crucial issues such as recycling, conservation, climate change, alternative energy and sustainable agriculture and development; creating platforms for local filmmakers, musicians, artists and activists and continuing your outreach with high school students will surely go a long way in ensuring that the environment remains a priority area for current and future generations.
- 8. Page | 8 In closing, Id like to share with you a quote by American cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead that, to me, encapsulates the essence of this work, and of the potential impact of Green Screen. She said, Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. Congratulations on the 6th edition of this event. We look forward to an exciting 12 days, and to learning and growing in individual and collective environmental knowledge, awareness and action. Thank you.