Photos – courtesy of Committee for Short Shorts Film Festival ©
Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA) 2024, one of Asia’s largest international short film festivals, announced on June 5th (Wednesday) the winner of the Save the Earth! Minister of the Environment Award. This prestigious accolade honours the film that most powerfully addresses environmental issues among all competition entries. The award ceremony will take place on Environment Day, June 5th.
The SSFF & ASIA 2024 Environment Minister’s Prize has been bestowed upon the Italian film “Local Warming” (Director: Manuel Vitali). The film compellingly portrays the impact of global warming, depicting individuals striving to endure an intolerable heatwave.
Available for viewing online since June 1st, “Local Warming” aligns with SSFF & ASIA’s commitment to environmental advocacy. The festival introduced the “Stop Global Warming Competition” in 2008 in collaboration with the national “Challenge 25 Campaign,” aimed at combating global warming. In 2013, this initiative evolved into “Save the Planet!” and, since 2020, has expanded its scope to address diverse global environmental issues, fostering global awareness.
SSFF & ASIA aims for “Local Warming” to provoke contemplation on environmental challenges and inspire collective action for the future. The festival appreciates the public’s support and media coverage of this impactful event.
The Minister of the Environment commented, “This film vividly captures the stark reality of global warming through its sharp black-and-white imagery and poignant soundtrack. It portrays scorching roads impassable even for barefoot pedestrians and dogs, severe water shortages, blazing landscapes, and people retreating into the sea. The film’s rapid editing underscores the urgency of the climate crisis, emphasizing the pressing global issues we must confront today. The Ministry of the Environment views environmental challenges as concentric circles, extending from local to global levels, requiring collective consciousness and action.”
