FILM FESTIVAL PUTS FOCUS ON AIR POLLUTION BLIGHTING CITY
Youngsters link with university for film premiere
FILMS produced by young people in Stoke-on-trent about tackling air pollution are to be showcased at a major festival.
Research by Keele University on using ‘environmental storytelling’ to tackle issues blighting parts of the city is being featured as part of the British Academy’s Being Human Festival 2021.
The British Academyfunded research project, led by Dr Pawas Bisht, is part of this year’s festival with a screening on Saturday at Stoke-based B-arts.
The event will take place between 1pm and 2.30pm and booking is required.
The screening and discussion event will showcase films produced by young people from Stokeon-trent and New Delhi and explore the problem of urban air pollution which affects both these cities.
The screening will enable people to experience and discuss new ways of telling stories about air pollution, as well as exploring strategies for crafting stories that are emotionally engaging, empowering for affected communities, and which generate ‘global solidarities and interconnections’.
Urban air pollution is one of the most urgent environmental problems.
Being Human is the UK’S only national festival of the humanities and brings together universities, museums, galleries, archives, independent research organisations, community and commercial partners to make research accessible.
The festival is sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, British Academy, and School of Advanced Study.
Dr Bisht said: “It’s been fantastic to work with young people in Stoke-on-trent on the issue of air pollution.
“It’s been energising and inspiring to see them engage with the problem in the local context and find creative ways of communicating.
“The festival event also gives us an excellent opportunity to showcase stories from the UK and India side-by-side.”
Natalie Willatt from B-arts, said: “These creative and original films being made will no doubt bring new audiences to the issue, which is imperative in the current climate.”