Project seek documentary filmmakers to inspire bear, nature conservation

A silver-backed chevrotain is spotted by a camera trap on May 19, 2018 (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – A project launched by the Centre for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) and the Vietnamese Centre for Wildlife Conservation (Four Paws Viet) on October 15 is looking for a capable Vietnamese filmmaker to create a valuable message that influences people to protect the environment.

The collaboration is supported by the Goethe-Institut.

According to the organisers, their experts know nothing about making films, so they need help from professional filmmakers to tell stories about wildlife conservation in the country.

Via the Eco Film Production Project 2021 – 2022, the CCD hopes to not only heighten public awareness of wildlife conservation and challenges in this field, but also find ways to promote sustainable development of disadvantaged communities and wildlife preservation education.

“The natural diversity here was so beautiful before, but now the situation has become dire,” said CCD Director Dr. Nguyen Manh Ha. “All wild animals face the risk of being put on the Red List of Threatened Species.”

Four Paws Viet wants the documentary to tell the stories of rescued bears at the Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh and their caretakers. The documentary is expected to raise awareness about cruel practices, like bear bile farming and consumption, as well as cultivate in viewers a sense of empathy for these endangered animals.

Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application and have previous storytelling experience through a visual medium.

They must submit high-quality films, at least Full HD Resolution, with a maximum length of 30 minutes and at least 15 photographs for communication purposes. The films must respect people and facts. No fiction or creative interpretation will be allowed.

An illegally captive bear is rescued and transferred to the Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh. Illustrative photo. (Source: VNA)

The chosen candidate will receive a budget of 7,000 EUR (approximately 185 million VND) funded by the Goethe-Institut and be given a chance to join training workshops on the art of telling stories; sustainable film making; and how to integrate themselves in working with civil society organisations (CSOs) and local communities.

The final product will be promoted on both local and global platforms.

The judging panel includes People’s Artist Nguyen Nhu Vu, former Director General of the Central Science and Documentary Film Studio; Director Phan Dang Di; and Screenwriter and Director Nguyen Le Hoang Viet.

Deadline for submission is set at 23:59pm on November 24, 2021. The results will be announced in December, and the selected filmmaker is to produce the documentary from January to August 2022.

As many as 1,132 wild animals were rescued in Vietnam last year. Some 57 percent of the 2,216 violation cases reported by civilians were handled, according to the Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV).

A total of 2,907 violations were documented during the year, nearly doubling 2019 data. They comprised 1,956 cases in advertising illegal wildlife trade and 863 others of captivity.

Of particular note, seven bears held captive in southern Binh Duong province were transferred to the Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh in the north, bringing the number of saved bears last year to 32.

The Centre for Nature Conservation and Development is a Vietnamese non-governmental organization (NGO). It works independently in the field of biodiversity research and conservation, sustainable forest management and implementation of activity on development assistance to harmonize the issues of natural conservation and community development between people and the biosphere of Vietnam.

Four Paw Viet is an animal welfare organization established in 2014. With financial and technical support from Four Paws International, it provides a place for any voluntarily handed over former bile bears and the confiscated bears from the illegal wildlife trade to be taken care of in a species-appropriate environment at the Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh.

The Goethe-Institut is the Federal Republic of Germany’s cultural institute, which has been present worldwide. It promotes the study of German abroad and encourages international cultural exchange./.