New Delhi, Feb 21 (Agency) The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) is all set to organise the Urban Climate Film Festival (UCFF) under the CITIIS programme, with the purpose of showcasing the impact of climate change on life in cities and contribute to the discourse on sustainable and climate-centric urban development. City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) is a joint programme of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union (EU), and NIUA. The programme is assisting 12 Smart Cities in India implement integrated, innovation-driven, and sustainable urban infrastructure projects, some of which have components dedicated to benefit the ecosystem, improve air and water quality, protect indigenous flora and fauna, and foster urban biodiversity. Through the UCFF, NIUA-CITIIS aims to create larger awareness about the environmental, social and economic impacts of climate change on cities, and inspire action to make urban settlements more climate-resilient.
The festival will also provide a platform for filmmakers, urban practitioners, environmentalists, and other individuals and organisations working to highlight pressing concerns related to climate. Filmmakers are invited to submit films that reflect how the changing environment is affecting life in cities around the world. Professional, student and amateur filmmakers residing anywhere in the world are welcome to participate. All formats – short/feature-length, fiction/non-fiction/documentary, animation, etc. – will be accepted. The festival will be launched in New Delhi on March 24 and travel to Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Ahmedabad in the subsequent months. Selected films will be felicitated at the Urban Climate Film Festival and screened at Alliance Française centres in all five cities. “Cities are facing colossal challenges due to unsustainable levels of stress on infrastructure, natural resources and public services. NIUA supports efforts to enable the transition of Indian cities to a greener future – one that is sustainable, inclusive, and prioritises the health and well-being of the people, along with the country’s economic growth. I believe films are a powerful medium for reaching out to people and starting important conversations about the world around us. By showcasing a variety of films on urban environments, the Urban Climate Film Festival will surely be an eye-opener for many,” said Hitesh Vaidya, Director, NIUA. The last date for submitting entries is March 13.