Forests and cinema

In this constant changing climate and environment, our future depends on the protection of forests. Forests, and old-growth forests in particular, are essential for fighting climate change, safeguarding biodiversity and landscapes, and limiting threats to our hydrogeological systems. These extraordinary and complex ecosystems were the protagonists of the second International Forest Festival—The lungs of the Earth, which was organized by Associazione Montagna Italia and the Agency for Agriculture and Forests of the Region of Lombardy (ERSAF). It took place in Bergamo, Italy, 11-15 November 2019 and it included a film contest. The event contributes to increasing awareness of the importance of forests.
Of the 80 films presented to the festival, 25 were selected by the jury to be screened during the event, from 8 different countries: Ecuador, Great Britain, Italy, Madagascar, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal and Spain.
The documentary The wonderful vetust forests of Sasso Fratino and the Foreste Casentinesi National Park (Le meravigliose foreste vetuste di Sasso Fratino e del Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi) by Marco Civinelli won the prize for best Italian short film (15’). It displays the amazing ancient beech forests of Sasso Fratino, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The jury appreciated the quality of the documentary’s images, which were accompanied by the enchanting sounds of the forest, giving the audience the chance to experience this majestic area.
Films screened from Mediterranean countries other than Italy were: Deserto verde (Green desert) by Davide Mazzocco (59’, Portugal), Belca by Tomás A. Willhelm (4’, Spain) and Medvedek by Ainhoa Gutiérrez del Pozo (14’, Spain).

Isabella Vannucchi isabella.vannucchi@istituto-oikos.org
Medforval secretariat

17 December 2019