eco kids film initiativeA great idea whose time has come: environmental films for kids!

The Eco Kids Film Initiative Environmental Film Festival for Kids will be taking place from 3 to 7 October from 10am to 12pm at the Labia on Orange cinema in Cape Town.

Through films that are entertaining, educational, and above all inspirational it is EKFI’s goal to inspire real change through the children of today and generations to come by promoting a proactive strategy to environmental awareness through film as medium.

Each of the films has been selected for their strong environmental theme by a panel consisting of parents, childhood experts, environmental educators and conservationists. We have taken great care to ensure that the films that have made the final selection speak positively to children of diverse ages, backgrounds and cultures and are made for children rather than about children.

Format: Two parallel screening sessions of a selection of short films, taking place daily from 10am lasting no more than two hours.

Who: The two sessions are for the age groups 7-12 year old and 13-17 year old. (Parents are welcome to attend too)

Each screening will be followed by a Q&A session guided by a facilitator. Due to the nature of these sessions we cannot guarantee a specific end-time. However, the entire programme will not take longer than two hours and will be completed by 12pm at the latest.

When: 3 – 7 October 2011; 10am-12pm - a great activity for the school holidays!

Where: Labia cinema in Orange Street, Cape Town

Cost: R20 a ticket. Book tickets through the Labia

The Book Lounge will be selling environmental books for kids and the whole family at the festival so be sure to bring your pocket money.

Monday, 3 October, 10am: GLOBAL WARMING

Facilitators: 350.org and Hearth Heritage

Join in as we watch some great films to learn about the effect that global warming is having on the planet and its inhabitants. 350.org and Hearth Heritage will also be telling us what we can do at home and at school to minimize the effects.

Tuesday, 4 October, 10am: ENERGY

Facilitators: Koeberg Alert Alliance and Project 90×2030

Today’s films are all about energy in South Africa and the impact that various energy sources have on the environment. We also take a look at how the Johannesburg zoo, Durban botanical garden and our very own Two Oceans Aquarium are using renewable energy sources.

Wednesday, 5 October, 10am: POLLUTION AND LITTER

Facilitators: UCT Green Campus Initiative

Through a series of local and international animated and live-action films we come to grips with how our throw-away lifestyle impacts the environment, the people around us and our own health. UCT Green Campus Initiative will be inspiring us by sharing some of the things that they do on campus to create awareness.

Thursday, 6 October, 10am: WATER

Facilitators: Greenpeace Africa and TBA

Through a series of local and international animated and live-action films we learn more about that thing that makes up 75% of our bodies, water!.. and its health and conservation. We also learn how our actions on land affect the creatures living in the water. Today’s films not only address fresh water, but also its salty counterpart in the oceans.

Friday, 7 October, 10am: WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION

Facilitators: Landmark Foundation and Nature Network

From the scary vulture to the cute penguin, today we learn some fun facts about wildlife and how to conserve our furry and feathery friends and their natural habitats. The films will tell us the stories of some amazing people in South Africa and the world that are doing important and exciting work in the area of conservation. Joining us will be Kate from the Landmark foundation who works with predator conservation. Nature Network will be helping us understand our role in the ecosystem.

Saturday 8 October, 11am: Story time at the Book Lounge

For the younger ones: We Love you Earth Storytime

Age: 3-8
Cost: Free
Where: The Book Lounge, c/o Roeland and Buitenkant Street

The Book Lounge will be hosting an Eco Storytime. They will be reading stories that evoke the sense that we should protect our planet. We will also be adding well-wishes to a Milkwood tree that we have purchased to be planted. For more information please visit www.booklounge.co.za.

EKFI is brought to you in partnership with While You Were Sleeping, Hearth Heritage and in collaboration with 350.org, Greenpeace, Koeberg Alert Alliance, Landmark Foundation, Nature Network, Project 90×2030, UCT Green Campus Initiative, Deep Print, Mr. Recycle and the Labia Cinema.

For more info view the or While You Were Sleeping Website