Film Festival highlights family values
- Abigail Seta and Nigel Akuani
Port Moresby: ‘Safe Family, Happy Family’ was the theme of the 3rd International Short Film Festival 2019 that highlighted the importance of family values through the use of media.
It was held on Saturday, 3rd August at the Paradise Cinema, Vision City, Port Moresby were 220 students, parents, teachers and media personnel attended the event. His Eminence Sir John Cardinal Ribat MSC, Archbishop of Port Moresby commenced the celebrations with the cutting of the cake and a time of prayer and reflection. He spoke of the underlying power contained in media.
“The media is important, and it is important that young people can use it to address the issues affecting themselves. They are struggling to be part of a safe and happy family environment,” said the Cardinal.
The festival showcased short films from different countries and films created by young students during their attendance of the four Media Education Seminars (MES) held earlier this year. The films screened opened up brief discussions on the issues presented.
Representatives of each of the MES participating schools spoke on their experience and the topics they learnt. Certificates and appreciation were then given to students, animators and media persons. Prizes were awarded to the schools for the films screened. The first place, a SONY RX 100 camera was awarded to Jubilee Catholic Secondary School for their 4-minute film entitled, ‘All for Love.’ Limana Vocational School emerged second for their film ‘The Changed Hand’ while the film ‘Saving Family’ produced by De La Salle was third.
Social Communications Secretary Fr Ambrose Pereira sdb, facilitator of the festival said that film is a powerful medium that can inspire people. “Young people have energy, creativity and talent and all this needs to be channeled to produce something that is good and positive. Media is a tool that connects young people today. Their discussions, reflections and productions have enabled them reflect on important family values that they will strive to put into practice”, he said.
Participating in the festival were students from Caritas Technical Secondary School, De La Salle Secondary School, Don Bosco Technological Institute, Don Bosco Technical School, Jubilee Catholic Secondary School, Limana Vocational Centre and Marianville Secondary School who were all part of the MES 2019.
The festival was hosted by the Social Communications Commission (SOCOM) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. SOCOM is grateful to SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication and MISSIO Aachen together with the many who believe that the Media has power to inspire and bring about a change in the minds and lives of the young.