EmpowerHER running for top prize at the world's biggest sustainability film festival

The 6th Big Syn International Film Festival opens for screening films, until 26 October 2024. The festival trailer had a grand opening at London’s iconic Piccadilly Lights, Europe’s biggest screen. This is the world’s biggest sustainability film festival, reaching over 45 million in 120 countries, led by a Grand Jury of OSCAR, BAFTA and EMMY award-winners and leaders from the United Nations, House of Lords, as well as sustainability, policy and media stalwarts.

Viewers are invited to the FREE screenings of the films on www.bigsyn.org and win 2 tickets to the gala awards.

The festival is screening a dazzling array of nearly 150 films that has been selected from hundreds of feature films, shorts, documentaries, animations, micro-shorts and charity films from over 120 countries. Amongst others, a notable film that will be screened at the festival is Our Sansar's EmpowerHER: Rights, Protection and Hope. Our Sansar is a UK charity supporting Nepal's vulnerable children in areas where others won't go. The short film shows changes that are possible in the lives of girls who are survivors of gender-based violence. It shows the struggles that girls have to overcome in the area where 1 in 3 girls and women experience violence and 1 in 2 girls marry when they are still a child. Julia Krepska, the charity's Founder said: 'We are so honoured to be one of the finalists. It is so important that the issues experienced by girls all over the world are highlighted. We hope that we can reach many viewers worldwide.'

The festival is promoted by various national and international organisations including major UN agencies such as World Meteorological Agency, International Maritime Organisation and UNRIC, as well as other leading art and culture institutions such as the British Council and Directors UK.

Justine Simons OBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “The storytelling power of film is a brilliant way to entertain and inform audiences. Big Syn Film Fest will be hosting a wide range of free screenings that will raise awareness about important sustainability issues and inspire urgent action at a time when we are faced with one of humanity's biggest challenge - climate change. From features to animations, these films will show us that we all have a part to play in looking after our planet, as we build a better London for everyone.”

The films screening will not only entertain, but also enlighten viewers about the big issues faced by our environment, economy and society; climate change, plastic pollution, conservation, biodiversity, mental health, equity, diversity, gender equality and many more burning topics are covered by this year's official selections and finalists. These films tell relatable human stories of struggle, resilience, adaptation, innovation and change from across the world that can inspire positive actions from the viewers.

Inviting viewers to the festival, the festival's founders, Dr Ragini G Roy and Dr Sourav Roy, said: "We are delighted that over 300 charities from across the world have participated this year and over 50 inspirational charity films are currently screening to millions worldwide, spreading their messages of hope and change."

Winners will be declared on 8th November at the red carpet gala awards ceremony at Curzon Soho and all the winners will be featured on Europe's biggest screen, London's Piccadilly Lights on 14th November 2024.