District 2430 Rotarians to host short-film festival
By Diana Schoberg
Rotary International News -- 18 December 2008
Filmmakers are invited to submit entries for the short-film festival by 31 December, on themes such as world peace, child mortality, literacy, and clean water.
In February, District 2430 Rotarians in Turkey will host their first annual international short-film festival, with the goal of tackling major global issues through film.
Filmmakers are invited to submit entries on themes such as world peace, child mortality, literacy, and clean water. The deadline is 31 December.
“We realized that the short-film contests that have become popular worldwide are able to move large groups of young people and intellectuals,” Past District Governor Malik Aviral, a member of the Rotary Club of Ankara-Kavaklidere and chair of the film festival committee, wrote in an e-mail. “Our first aim is to raise awareness of Rotary by these short films, which have the same focuses as Rotary.”
Aviral said the Turkish film industry is rising in prominence, gaining recognition at international film festivals. At the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, Nuri Bilge Ceylan was named best director for his movie Three Monkeys.
The festival, which will be held 24-27 February in Ankara, has already received entries ‑- from Rotarians and non-Rotarians ‑- from countries including Brazil, Romania, Greece, Denmark, and Germany. Organizers hope that the event will offer an opportunity to bring people together to foster global harmony.
The contest will be judged by film directors, artists, and other experts. Prizes will be awarded in the categories of improvisation and animation.
Organizers plan to make the festival an annual event, held during the week of 23 February to help celebrate Rotary’s anniversary.