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Focusing on the relationship between mankind and nature, Trento Film Festival showed over the years a deep interest in themes connected to environmental, economic, social and organisational sustainability. In fact, throughout its history, the Festival demonstrated a constant commitment in reducing its impact on the environment, and in trying to raise awareness and educate its guests, public and the community on these topics of vital importance for the future of our planet, especially nowadays.
In this frame, Trentino Film Commission and APPA (Provincial Environmental Protection Agency) set up in 2021 the Green Film Award, rewarding the film that most effectively expresses environmental protection and sustainability values and practices, particularly on topics regarding mountain environment and climate change.
Among the 14 compiting projects, for the 73rd Edition of the Trento Film Festival, the Green Film Award goes to “The Wolves Always Come at Night – Чоно үүр шөнөөр ирдэг” directed by Gabrielle Brady (Australia, Mongolia, Germany / 2024 / 97′). The jury, composed by Marco Niro, Lavinia Laiti (APPA) and Linnea Merzagora (Trentino Film Commission-Green Film), assigned for the following reasons: “A delicate, powerful and symbolic film that narrates the effects of climate change on a shepherd family, on a community and on a whole world that is gradually disappearing, touching on an often forgotten subjects, such as climate migrants.”
Climate change and rampant desertification have progressively ravaged Mongolia’s lands. In recent years, large numbers of nomads have moved from the countryside to the urban districts of Ger. Davaasuren and his wife Otgonzaya herd their animals in the Gobi Desert, just as generations before them did. However, the instability of environmental upheavals is jeopardizing their future. When half the herd dies in a sandstorm, the couple makes the painful decision to move with the family to the city.
Moreover, the film also won the prestigious Jury Prize and the Gruppo Dolomiti Energia Award – Sustainable Energy.
A special mention of the Green Film Award goes to “A qui le monde” directed by Marina Russo Villani, Victor Missud (France, Benin / 2024 / 45′) for the following reason: “A film that narrates with lyricism, with touches of magical realism, a story of adaptation that hits the mark and leaves the audience with hope, a hope that develops from the resilience of those who tried to transform in resource the invasion of an alien species.”
In Benin the “water people” who fought against colonisation in the past are now battling with the “water hyacinth”, an invasive and damaging floating plant that reproduces at a dizzying rate, suffocating the lake. Thus, realism and imagination come together, as if one could not be understood or tolerated without the other.
