First-Ever Climate Film Festival Highlighted Environmental Issues
ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with Eyebex Films, hosted a two-day Climate Film Festival at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA). This inaugural event focused on raising awareness about climate change through the medium of film, showcasing documentaries that highlighted the pressing environmental challenges in Pakistan and around the world.
The festival featured a variety of climate, environment, and nature-based documentaries, offering audiences a visual understanding of the impact of climate change. In addition to the screenings, the festival hosted thought-provoking panel discussions involving climate change experts, filmmakers, and stakeholders to explore solutions and collaborative efforts to tackle climate issues in Pakistan.
Progress of the climate film festival
One of the key panel discussions, titled “Climate Storytelling Through the Lens”, delved into the role of cinema in raising awareness and inspiring climate action. The panel, moderated by climate activist Mehnaz Parveen, featured renowned filmmakers, including Nyal Mueenuddin, Jawad Sharif, Haroon Rashid, and Tazeen Bari, who discussed the power of visual storytelling in bringing attention to the environmental crisis.
Day one also saw an insightful session titled “The Way Forward to Climate Change”, moderated by filmmaker and festival curator Wajahat Malik. The panel, which included hydrologist Dr. Hassan Abbas, Islamabad Wildlife Management Board Chairperson Rina Saeed Khan, Dr. Muhammad Afzaal from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, and climate economist Kashmala Kakakhel, discussed innovative solutions and the urgency of collective action against climate change.
The festival was inaugurated by Samuel Rizk, the Resident Representative of UNDP Pakistan, who emphasized the importance of using film and storytelling to inspire climate action. He stressed that events like these engage communities, artists, and policymakers in crucial climate discourse, bringing attention to the immediate need for action.
Best films on climate change
Films such as “Natari” and “The Frozen Giants of Karakorum”, directed by Haroon Riaz, were among the highlights of the festival. The documentary “Frozen Giants of Karakorum” won the Best Cinematography Award for its breathtaking portrayal of the environmental challenges faced by the majestic Karakoram Mountains.
The festival concluded with an awards ceremony where Nyal Mueenuddin received the Best Director Award for his film “When the Floods Come”, which powerfully depicted the human cost of climate change and the vulnerability of communities facing floods. The event also featured a musical performance by singer Arieb Azhar, who captivated the audience with his enchanting melodies.
The Climate Film Festival marks a significant step in using film as a medium to bring climate issues to the forefront, engaging diverse audiences and stakeholders in the fight against climate change.
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