Yeongam's 'Boomerang' among 10 films as environmental film festival opens

The answer to the climate crisis: Local ecosystems pose a weighty question on screen

Yeongam County in South Jeolla province will host the 3rd Yeongam Supsup Environmental Film Festival for two days beginning Oct. 9, seeking solutions for the climate crisis and coexistence with ecosystems. Held around the Yeongam Pottery Museum and Gichan Cinema, the festival will take an in-depth look at the environmental challenges facing humanity under the slogan 'The Forest Is Still Here'.

The lineup features 10 domestic and international environmental films, including both features and shorts. A standout is 'Boomerang,' a short film whose production was led by students at Haksan Elementary School in Yeongam, from planning and filming to acting. The film captures the determined perspective of the next generation and is poised to send a powerful message about the older generation's complacent view of environmental issues.

The festival opens at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 9 at the Yeongam Pottery Museum with a screening of feature-length and short films. On Oct. 10, it moves to Gichan Cinema, where major feature films including 'I Am a River' and 'Last Summer' will greet audiences. After the screenings, director Choi Seung-woo will join a Q&A with the audience, leading an in-depth discussion of the stories behind the films.

Action beyond the screen: An eco-friendly alliance that brings generations together

The festival goes beyond film screenings to become a forum for practical solidarity. The accompanying eco-friendly market, 'Earth by Earth Market,' will offer a range of ecology-related activities, food and an environmental book fair. Cultural performances bringing local residents and visitors together will also add to the festival experience.

To help children and teenagers who have difficulty visiting theaters because of physical limitations, organizers have introduced a 'Mobile Film Festival' program, significantly improving access for culturally underserved communities.

Kim Cheol, director of the Culture and Arts Division, said, "This film festival uses cinema to make the weighty subjects of forests, ecosystems and the climate crisis accessible and intuitive. It will offer diverse perspectives, from creative works by local children to in-depth domestic and international environmental films and conversations with directors," he said.