David Gallan, President of the Far South Coast Branch of the National Parks Association (NSW) says of the lead up to the federal election in May that the environment is clearly one of the key issues and has been for some time. Mr Gallan told the Beagle "Threatened species under pressure and big questions over the sustainability of native forest logging concern people from all walks of life.
"Overarching this are the multiple threats of climate change requiring profound changes to the way we live and manage our country.
"To explore these issues, an environmental short film festival, REGENERATE, will be held in various towns along the Far South Coast and Eurobodalla district. The event will be hosted by the National Parks Association (NSW) in partnership with South Coast Region Conservation Alliance Inc., The Forest Embassy and Friends Of The Forest.
Mr Gallan said "The festival will screen films from four to thirty minutes in length and will be free of charge so people can drop in at any time. There will also be an opportunity to hear from film makers and environmental speakers in multiple Q & A sessions.
"REGENERATE is proud to premiere Underfrog, a documentary with a focus on the environmental challenges in Kosciuszko National Park made by Harrison Warne, a young international award winning photographer from Tathra.
VIDEO: Underfrog Trailer
"There will also be the south coast release of Give A Dam, a film by Gary Caganoff examining the threats posed to a World Heritage Area by the proposed raising of the Warragamba Dam wall.
VIDEO: GIVE A DAM: Flooding the Blue Mountains (Trailer)
Another Blue Mountains short film, Garden Of Stone, will reveal a dramatic landscape largely unknown several years ago.
The President of the Far South Coast branch of NPA commented, "One of the themes running through the films is the degree to which expert views from experienced scientists is currently being ignored by governments. Decisions about managing our precious natural heritage should be evidence based and with all necessary precautions.”
Harriet Swift from SERCA said, “"Protecting forests is one of the easiest, quickest and cheapest ways to tackle climate change, and we should be doing it."
Jamie Shaw from The Alliance For A Common Future said, "These films are highly recommended. The public needs to be better informed because mainstream media tends to ignore these important issues."
Venues & dates:
