6th CMS VATAVARAN 2011

Delhi bags 8 Awards in CMS VATAVARAN

2011-12-09T20:35:00.000-08:00

Kerala comes second with 7 awards in the Indian category
In the international category 3 awards bagged by USA, 2 by Germany and one each by New Zealand, Canada, Japan and France
Awards worth INR 15 lakh given to Indian filmmakers
Films made by Delhi based directors swept the Award Ceremony of 6^th CMS VATAVARAN , environment and wildlife film festival. Winning 8 wards in different categories, including Best of the Festival Award Delhi topped the list, with Kerala coming second bagging 7 awards. The awards were presented this evening in a glittering award ceremony at the Convention Centre, NDCC. It was attended by Ms Ambika Soni, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, eminent filmmakers Basu Chatterjee and Prakash Jha, Mr ChandiPrasad Bhatt, environmentalist, Mr Havard Hugas, counsellor, Climate Change and Energy, Royal Norwegian Embassy and several other environmentalists and filmmakers.
Indian category
Films from Delhi bagged awards in important categories like Water for all, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Best story, Best Cinematography and Best of the Festival. Filmmakers whose films have won include Vishal Nityanand , Akanksha Joshi, Rishu Nigam, Amar Kanwar, Rintu Thomas and others. Vishal Nityanand’s film ‘Kosi: Injustice with Millions of Villagers and Revolt by Kosi River’, Akanksha Joshi’s film ‘Earth Witness: Reflections on the Times and the Timeless’, Amar Kanwar;s Public Service Announcements have won two awards each.

International category
In the International category 9 awards were presented. Three film from USA have won awards. These are Chasing Water, Dog in the Manger (El Perro Del Hortelano) and SoLa: Louisiana Water Stories. Germany bagged two awards for Poppy's Promise: Secret Life in the Cornfield (Das Kornfeld: Dschungel fur einen Sommer) and Amazon Alive: Hidden Secrets. One award each has been won by New Zealand, Canada, Japan and France.

Animation for environment

2011-11-24T06:49:00.000-08:00

Animation has revolutionised the way films are made. More so, this not so old genre of film-making has created a niche for itself among feature film makers and documentary makers alike, however, animated films on environmental issues are hard to find and are almost negligible if we talk about animated documentaries on “Biodiversity”. To provide a much needed platform to showcase such kind of films, CMS VATAVARAN would be screening six such films. The event is scheduled from December 6-10, 2011 at the Convention Centre, New Delhi.

For instance “The Last Tiger” depicts the stark reality of incessant hunting of tigers by human beings and this appetite has been held responsible for the extinction of tigers from their natural habitat. The eye catching visuals of the film touches one’s consciousness so much so that we feel shocked at once after watching the hollow truth of our so called modern society. This selfish society is on a killing spree and anyone who would challenge this selfishness would be killed just as the last tiger has been hunted down by the hunter in this film.

On the other hand, “Bunty’s Tree” is a touching and warm story of the bond that exists between a little boy, and a tree. The symbolization of the tree as the mother of the boy is the masterstroke of the film as the lad’s fondness of the tree tries to convey those emotions that trees are after all the soul of our lives. And just the mere thought of a tree less world makes us tremble from head to toe. Therefore trees are to be loved and planted and not to be cut.

Moreover, the “Light of the River” produced in an era of individualism promotes the real and hearty attachment between the members of a rat family. The rat family on a journey to find a safe haven to live is confronted by self-centered sewer rats in a battle for survival just like good human beings are challenged on every path of their lives by the egoistic, arrogant ones. But as the case is ‘the man of character’ tends to find someone who would help him in his endeavor, hence the rats too found the charming animals that came to their rescue.

Taking forward the theme of bonding and brotherhood is “My Home is Green”, a poignant tale of an ant and a caterpillar. One is moved by the beautiful depiction of the ant as the icon of sorrow, the one who has been left alone by the tragic loss of her family in a pesticide mishap, however, the ant comes back to life as the caterpillar, ‘the ray of hope’ enters her life as her friend and a guide.

The fear of a world without trees is further given impetus by “Roads” a story of a little boy, a small toy truck and a garden known as the ‘Patch of Heaven.’ The boy casually destroys the forests for a moment of fun and just to seek pleasure as we human beings are deforesting the land rather knowingly on the pretext of development.

“Shelter” delivers its message loud and clear, i.e., if the trees are there on earth, the human habitat is there, once the trees are destroyed, the human life is in danger of losing itself. And to protect mankind from extinction, humans have to come to terms with their greed and desire to achieve more and more materialistic comfort. The short film portrays this harsh reality commandingly well as the man who seeks shelter under a tree to save him from a heavy downpour keeps on expanding the trunk of the tree for more space leading to the collapse of the tree.

Saga of rivers

2011-11-14T21:36:00.001-08:00

Two films nominated in 6^th CMS VATAVARAN focusses on the status and condition of rivers in the country

“KOSI: Injustice with millions of villagers and revolt by Kosi river “tracks the injustice faced by the fifty five families who reside within the embankment of the river Kosi. The films gives the details of the proposal made in 1953 which stipulate that embankment would be made on both the sides of the Kosi – the Indian and the Nepal region. The embankment has restricted the flow of water to smaller areas as compared to wider area earlier. The pathetic situation faced by 15 lakh people both from India and Nepal region has been effectively captured by Vishaal Nityanand the director of the film.

Sudheer Gupta the director of “Black River Business” describes the condition of the fast dying river Yamuna and draws a comparison between the Tyne, Tees and Wear in north-east UK which have been revived. This film attempts to explore such links, in the context of interconnected global industrial transfer. It discovers thinking voices on both sides of the globe, which need to be brought together to tell a singular story of human destruction and repair of our natural resources.

These films will be screened in the 6^th CMS VATAVARAN, environment and wildlife film festival from Dec 6-10 at the Convention Centre, New Delhi. Entry is free in the film screenings.

Perfect platform to learn!

2011-11-08T05:30:00.000-08:00

Newcomers and amateur filmmakers shine at CMS VATAVARAN film festival. Their film will be screened during the upcoming festival from Dec 6-10, 2011

The trend of environment and wildlife filmmaking is fast catching up in the country. Over the years CMS VATAVARAN has become a popular platform for amateur filmmakers, newcomers and even students to showcase their work and interact with the big names in the industry. In the 2011 film festival 10 films have been nominated from the newcomer category and they will be competing among themselves for the awards.

The ignited minds have covered different aspects, some have dealt with the rare bond between the farmers of Gudavi and the birds, while others explores how innovation and creativity, things of beauty can be created out of scrap and waste. In the newcomer category even students have participated and have outshined with fantabulous story ideas. A film “Madoda Ngala” by Shaz Syed under the category enshrines the importance of modern yet ecofriendly means of conservation practice in a world where poaching and culling are prevalent. This new breed of film makers have depicted prolific and interesting stories on nature, showcasing their depth of knowledge on the environmental issues. The film “Water Please” by Shruti Rai urges all of us to save water as there is enough water for our need but not for our greed. On the other hand the depth of knowledge earned by a student, through her conversations with nature, than what was imparted in the confines of the class room, is the subject of a short film directed by 7 school students.

The newcomer category also received international films. A New Zealand film called “The Unnatural History of the Kakapo” is about a family living with a terrible curse. Adults are plagued by infertility, the young are vulnerable to disease. They are a family of Kakapo. Once thought extinct, they are now the world's rarest and strangest wild parrot. Another film “El Perro Del Hortelano” (Dog in the Manger) directed by Renzo Zanelli Baretto from United States of America traces a unique path discovered by Boro-Huitoto painter to help his community by resisting the encroaching of a petrol company that threatens the future of both their ancestral lands and culture.

These films will be screened during the 6^th CMS VATAVARAN film festival from Dec 6-10, 2011 at New Delhi. For more details log on to www.cmsvatavaran.org

Last date extended for CMS Young Environment Journalists Awards 2011

2011-11-03T10:53:00.000-07:00

Apply Now! Submit your online application by Nov 15. Click here http://www.cmsvatavaran.org/environmentjour.php

For more details, contact

Narender Yadav
Senior Manager-Communications
09899979160
narender@cmsindia.org

CMS Young Environment Journalist Awards 2011

2011-10-05T06:26:00.000-07:00

The awards are for excellence in environmental journalism and would be given to an individual who has done exemplary investigative and inspired reporting on environmental issue sin the country. This will be countrywide recognition of four journalists (21-30 years of age) who have made a significant contribution in either the print or electronic media to an understanding of the nation's environmental problems. Last date for application is October 31, 2011.

Click here to Apply Online http://cmsvatavaran.org/environmentjour.php

For more information:

Narender Yadav

09899979160

narender@cmsindia.org

Register Now: Asian Summit of Filmmakers

2011-10-03T23:41:00.000-07:00

http://cmsvatavaran.org/asiansummit.php

Online Delegate Registration open for CMS VATAVARAN 2011

2011-09-29T22:16:00.000-07:00

Click here to Register

Make sure you are a part of the biggest environment extravaganza of Asia this December. Online registration for CMS VATAVARAN 2011 is on. Just log on www.cmsvatavaran.org and book your seat now.

CMS VATAVARAN 2011 Nominations announced

2011-09-15T22:00:00.001-07:00

The much awaited nominations for 2011 CMS VATAVARAN, India’s one and only international competitive environment and wildlife film festival, have been announced today. This year 68 films have been nominated by a 37-member nomination jury headed by an eminent scholar and diplomat Dr Abid Hussain. The festival closed its call for entry on July 31 and received more than 300 film entries from 27 countries and 21 Indian states. The nominated films will now compete for the coveted CMS VATAVARAN awards in various categories and also for the exciting award money of INR 15 lakhs. The winners will be announced in a glittering award ceremony on Dec 9, 2011 at New Delhi. The film festival will be organised from Dec 6-10, 2011 at the Convention Centre, opp. Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.

Nominated Films 2011

Indian category: A total of 51 films have been nominated for this year’s festival from 12 states of the country. Delhi has topped the list with 21 films followed by Kerala (8 films), Maharashtra (5 films) and Karnataka (4 films). Two films each have been nominated from Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. From Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Punjab one film has been nominated. Prominent Indian filmmakers whose films have been nominated include Naresh Bedi, Rishu Nigam, Krishnendu Bose, Umesh Aggarwal, Nandan Saxena, Akanksha Joshi, Sandesh Kadur, Senani Hegde, Suresh Elamon and several other well-known conservation filmmakers in the country.

International category: 17 films from 9 countries have been nominated in the international segment. USA has got the maximum nominations (5) followed by Germany and Japan (3 each). One film each has been nominated from France, Canada, New Zealand, UK and Pakistan. Prominent international filmmakers whose films have been nominated include Jon Cooksey, Christian Baumeister, Tetsuo Hirakawa, Nameera Ahmed, Simon Chambers and others

Volunteering and Internship Opportunities 2011

2011-08-09T00:11:00.000-07:00

Sweat, swear and stand out!

(http://www.cmsvatavaran.org/volunteers.php)

For long you have been thinking about doing something for the environment. Here's the chance to make it happen. Be a part of the team of volunteers and interns in CMS VATAVARAN, environment and wildlife film festival and forum 2011 and let your action speak more than your words. Our gates are wide open for energetic and enthusiastic youngsters who can deliver without dithering under the work pressure, who care more for environment than lifestyle, who can think beyond social networking sites and for whom going green is not just a cliche. While you will sweat it out hard during the festival, in return you will be associated with a prestigious international film festival, meet eminent wildlife filmmakers and experts from across the globe, get a chance to reaffirm your commitment towards nature and of course earn some quick bucks to keep your pocket happy. All in all what is guaranteed is a never before experience!

To be a volunteer or intern you need to be from any of these fields (environmental sciences, management, mass communication, public relations, event management, hotel management and any other related field), above 18 years of age, should be computer savvy and proficient in English or Hindi.

Nomination Jury Meeting: 6th CMS VATAVARAN 2011

2011-07-19T01:43:00.000-07:00

Duration: Aug 24-27, 2011. New Delhi

The Nomination Jury Committee consists of 35 members. It is divided into 7 sub-committees. Each of these committees is headed by a chair who evaluates films entered in 2-3 categories over a period of 4 days. The selection process begins with a joint orientation about the selection process, judging criteria and guidelines. Each sub-committee is given full secretarial support for any assistance during the course of judging.

Entries submitted in CMS VATAVARAN competition are judged on five criteria i.e. Content (Clarity of Idea, message and authenticity of facts and figures); Visual Composition or Cinematography; Sound and Music; Editing and Composition; Presentation, Finish and Overall Impression. Each member independently evaluates and awards points to each film. The average total of points awarded by all members is tallied.

The films selected by the Nomination Jury committees are presented to the Award Jury for selecting the winning entries. The nominated films are disseminated widely throughout the country in the form of educational and infotainment packages. The nominated films are also screened in different parts of the country as part of the traveling film festival and to celebrate special occasions like World Environment Day and Earth Day.

LIFE. NATURE. YOU. MAKE THE CONNECTION

2011-07-12T02:20:00.000-07:00

(http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/multimedia/video_competition/)

July 31: Final deadline for submission

2011-07-01T03:38:00.001-07:00

6th CMS VATAVARAN 2011: Environment and wildlife film festival

2011-06-16T03:23:00.000-07:00

6th CMS VATAVARAN 2011: Deadline extended till July 31!

2011-06-15T05:00:00.001-07:00

….A second chance is always more special than the first one!

With a lot of requests pouring in from several filmmakers and production houses for more time to complete their ongoing projects, here’s the second chance to enter your films in 6^th CMS VATAVARAN 2011. We've decided to extend the deadline till July 31 to ensure more filmmakers get a chance to showcase their work in India’s biggest green film festival.

The final countdown has now begun. Send your entries before July 31, 2011.

(www.cmsvatavaran.org)

IYCN National Video Competition-“Food in Focus” 2011

2011-06-12T22:59:00.000-07:00

The Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN) with the support of Humane Society International (HSI) has launched its National Video Competition-“Food in Focus” on food processing cycle and animal farming.

IYCN is a not for profit organization which started in 2008. It is a network of young people in 18 states who are concerned about climate change & environmental issues. The purpose of IYCN is to bring the voice of Indian youth on the global platform as India is one of the most vulnerable regions affected by climate change & environmental issues.

This competition is being organized to spread awareness on our food sources and how this affects our environment. Modern consumption patterns are resulting in wastage of natural resources across the world. Deforestation has risen to extreme levels to support our diets and this is now beginning to alter our climate and exacerbate global warming. It has been proven by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization that our global livestock is responsible for 18 percent of green house gas emissions. Our environment needs immediate attention. We all need to understand it’s a serious problem and it will hamper India’s plans for sustainable development.

Video Submission Dates: Open till July 31st. Log on to www.foodinfocus.in

For more info, contact:

Pratyusha,

Indian Youth Climate Network,

91 9985247744

The Hindu (Mar 16): Entries invited for CMS Vatavaran awards

2011-03-20T22:54:00.000-07:00

Entries have been invited for the sixth edition of the much appreciated environment and wildlife film festival and forum, CMS Vatavaran. Held biennially in the Capital, the theme this year is “bio-diversity conservation”. The festival is an important event for wildlife film-makers, researchers and environment experts across the globe and will be held from December 6 to 10.

http://www.hindu.com/2011/03/16/stories/2011031657200500.htm

Green Show , The Hindu, Mar 14, 2011

2011-03-15T02:39:00.000-07:00

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/article1535617.ece

Call for Entry: CMS VATAVARAN 2011

2011-03-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

Send your film and compete in the biggest green film festival in India

2011-03-08T22:06:00.000-08:00

The much awaited environment and wildlife biennial international competitive film festival and forum, CMS VATAVARAN is back. Film entries are invited from Indian and International filmmakers for 2011 festival focusing on biodiversity conservation. Last date of submission is May 31, 2011.

The film festival and forum will be organised on the theme of ‘Biodiversity Conservation’.There are ten subject areas where filmmakers can send their entries. The film categories include:
•    Biodiversity conservation
•    Climate Change and Sustainable Technologies
•    Environmental Conservation
•    Water for All
•    Series (based on Environment and Wildlife)
•    Films for Children
•    Newcomer
•    Animation
•    Livelihoods
•    Public Service Announcements (PSA)

Awards and award money
•    Seventeen Indian Awards in 10 categories
•    Eleven International Awards in 10 categories
•    Prithvi Ratna Award for lifetime achievement in environment filmmaking
•    Best environment journalist award (print/ electronic)
•    Total award money of Rs 15 lakhs (Awards ranging from Rs 50, 000- Rs1,50,000)

CMS VATAVARAN 2011 to focus on Biodiversity Conservation

2011-02-27T22:15:00.000-08:00

The theme of 6^th CMS VATAVARAN – Environment and Wildlife Competitive Film Festival and Forum is Biodiversity Conservation.

In accordance with COP 10 Decision X/18 CMS VATAVARAN will strive to continue and further improve communication, education and public awareness activities for promoting awareness and education using the goals included in the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, the framework of the Agenda for Action, and, where appropriate, the proposed United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, with the full and effective participation of all stakeholders, including indigenous and local communities. The National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan also emphasise on securing participation of state governments, communities, people, NGOs, industry and other stakeholders towards conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity including regeneration and rehabilitation of threatened species.

CMS VATAVARAN – Environment and Wildlife Competitive Film Festival and Forum seeks to kickstart innovative and policy-relevant research and outreach programmes that shape, foster and encourage more informed knowledge about Biodiversity Conservation. The festival will help in taking forward the initiatives taken during 2010 International Year of Biodiversity, and will help in building momentum toward COP11 in India in 2012

Call for Entries-2011

2011-02-05T04:12:00.000-08:00

India's premier environment and wildlife competitive film festival, CMS VATAVARAN will be organised from 06-10 Dec, 2011 at New Delhi.

Enteries
Entries are invited from environment and wildlife filmmakers for 10 Indian and 08 International categories.

Last Date
Final deadline for submitting the film is May 31, 2011

Awards

17 awards in Indian categories. It carries a citation, trophy and cash prize from INR 50,000 to INR 1,50,000.
09 awards in international categories. It carries a citation and a trophy.

For online registration log on to http://www.cmsvatavaran.org/

4th CMS VATAVARAN travelling film festival comes to a close

2011-02-05T03:58:00.000-08:00

The 4th edition of India's premier travelling environment and wildife film festival concluded on Jan 22 at Ahmedabad. The film festival, which staretd from Shimla in July 2010, travelled to Shillong, Hyderabad, Port Blair, Thiruvananthapuram, Bhubaneswar, Patna and Ahmedabad (Jan 2011).

The 5th edition of he travelling film festival will be organised in 2012.

Press Conference: Green film festival and forum in Ahmedabad from January 17

2011-01-12T07:06:00.000-08:00

To be organised from January 17-22, the environment and wildlife film festival and forum to showcase best of green films in addition to a host of activities including workshops, panel discussions, ecotour and creativity competitions in several schools and colleges of Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad, January 12: India’s premier environment and wildlife film festival and forum, CMS VATAVARAN will be organised in Ahmedabad from January 17-22, 2011. The film festival will be inaugurated on January 17, 04.00 pm at National Institute of Design, Paldi, Ahmedabad. A widely appreciated film ‘The Asiatic Lion-on a roll call’ by Praveen Singh will be shown as the inaugural film.

From January 17-22 around 40 award-winning Indian and International green films will be screened in addition to several workshops, panel discussions, seminars, educational-tour, and competitions. Six films focusing on various environmental issues in Gujarat will also be screened. These are ‘The Asiatic Lion-on a roll call’, ‘The Jewel of Wetlands-Sarus Crane’, ‘My Purple Sunbird’, Chakalia-The Phoenix’, Healers for all reasons’ and ‘The Khur of the salt flats’. Entry is free for all in the film festival and environment forum.

Programmes:
•    Inaugural Ceremony (Jan 17, 04.00 pm): National Institute of Design, Paldi, Ahmedabad

Green film screenings:

•    Jan 17: Panorama of Green Films for college at C N Academy of Fine Arts.
•    Jan 18: Anand Niketan, Nelson Higher Secondary School, LD College of Engineering, Gujarat University
•    Jan 19: Vishwa Bharti English Medium School, SGA Institute, NCC Ground
•    Jan 20: Delhi Public School, Mahatama Gandhi International School, Nirma University
•    Jan 21: Samvedna, Gandhi International Public School, Gujarat Vidyapith
•    Jan 22: St Xaviers, IIT Gandhinagar, CEPT
•    Other venues: MICA, Indicorps, World Vision, Orient Club.

Environment Forum:

•    Panel Discussion on Confronting Climate Change: Towards Carbon neutral Indian Cities (Jan 19): It will be organised on January 19 from 02.30 pm-05.30 pm at CEPT, Ahmedabad.
•    Green Filmmaking workshop (Jan 20-21): The workshop will start at 09.30 am. Venue for film shooting will be Indroda Nature Park and for editing, Gujarat Vidyapith.
•    Eco-Tour (Jan 20): The ecotour to Indroda National Park will be organised from 08.30 am -05.30 pm.
•    Workshop for Teachers: Low Carbon Practices Primer (Jan 21, 09:30 am): School teachers will participate in this workshop to be organised at Gujarat Vidyapith (Shanti Sanshodhan Hall).

Competitions and activities:

•    Wastecraft Competition (Jan 17): The competition is on the theme ‘Low carbon practices’ and will be organised at C N Academy of Fine Arts, Ambawadi.
•    Eco Games (Jan 22): From 10:00 am-01:30 pm at Delhi Public School, Bopla Rly Crossing Bopal.
•    Closing and Prize distribution ceremony (Jan 22): From 05:00 pm-06:00pm at CEPT Auditorium.

Partners:
Ahmedabad CMS VATAVARAN is being organised with active support from our partners. The Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) and the Royal Norwegian Embassy are India Principal Partner. Significant support has been provided at the state level by the following partners:
•    Associate Partner: Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
•    Organising Partner: Young Explorers Track Innovators (YETI)
•    Programme Partner: GEER Foundation
•    Print Media Partner: Gujarat Samachar
•    Knowledge Partner: CEPT
•    Venue Partner: National Institute of Design: A N College, Magadh University
•    Radio Partner: Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM

Press Conference at AMA on Jan 12

2011-01-10T12:23:00.000-08:00

Ahmedabad CMS VATAVARAN Press Conference to be organised on Jan 12 at 3:30 pm (followed by tea). Venue is AMA. All media persons in Ahmedabad are cordially invited.The green film festival and forum will kickstart from Jan 17.

For more information, contact:

Mr Narender Yadav
9899979160