The festival aims to inspire audiences to connect with and address environmental challenges in new and meaningful ways through the power of film.
The fourth Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival will be held from October 25 to 27, focusing on the theme ‘All Living Beings’. Organised by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with The Arts Centre at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), this year’s festival will explore the intricate interconnectedness of all living beings, emphasising the vital relationships between humans, wildlife, and ecosystems.
Elaborating on the festival’s theme, festival director Dr. Nezar Andary said: “Human well-being is deeply intertwined with the environment, climate, and other species on our planet. This year, the theme of the festival ‘All Living Beings’ highlights the crucial interdependence among all of Earth’s inhabitants. It underscores our responsibility as the more advanced species to safeguard these creatures and their habitats.
“The Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival is set to bring these global environmental issues into focus, making them more tangible and immediate for our audience in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE. We hope the films we will screen will connect with our audiences and appeal to their sense of empathy and responsibility.”
The festival will showcase exceptional environmental cinema and artistic achievements and act as a platform for engaging the Abu Dhabi community on local environmental challenges. Attendees can look forward to thought-provoking documentaries, narrative films, and panel discussions featuring experts in environmental science and filmmaking. In addition to the main festival, Al Sidr will embark on a special road trip, bringing films to schools across Abu Dhabi to engage and inspire students directly.
It has embarked on a new collaboration with UAE-based collective Climate Tribe. Led by HH Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Climate Tribe is a social entreprise inspiring climate action through dynamic storytelling of Emirati and UAE residents. The festival’s fourth edition is also collaborating with Lebanon’s Reef Film Festival (REEF), an association that brings environmentalists, artists and filmmakers. Both Climate Tribe and Reef have donated films to the Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival.
Moreover, Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival will feature a range of enriching activities, from Kayaking for Conservation in collaboration with Emirates Wildlife – EWWF, to a Public Panel with the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi at The Arts Centre at NYUAD. A special exhibition “The Conservatory for Plant Kingdom Obesity”, created in collaboration with Camilla Singh and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, will also be held at The Arts Centre at NYUAD.
Ahmed Baharoon, Executive Director of the Environmental Information, Science and Awareness Department at EAD, said: “The festival aligns closely with the UAE’s national agenda, particularly as the Year of Sustainability continues in 2024. It highlights the UAE’s ongoing commitment to environmental preservation and its role as a leader in sustainable initiatives.
“By highlighting local and global environmental challenges through the art of cinema, the Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival reinforces the importance of sustainability as a national priority and helps to amplify the UAE’s dedication to building a greener future for generations to come.”
