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Seven filmmakers from China and across the United States will converge at Furman University February 26-28 for the University\u2019s first Chinese Environmental Film Festival.<\/p>\n
The festival will feature three days of experimental, documentary, and feature films with environmental themes, together with expert commentary and question-and-answer sessions following each film.<\/p>\n
Films, which range from short films of 12 minutes to full-length features, include up close and personal interviews with Chinese families, discussing the effects of tourism, development and pollution on their way of life. The films also highlight little known aspects of Chinese culture, such as the Na ritual specialists from the Yunnan and Sichaun provinces of southwest China and their use of incantations to protect the environment.<\/p>\n
Filmmakers participating in the event include: Onci Archei and Ruheng Duoji of Moso Folk Museum, Yunnan, China; Jenny Chio of Emory University; Fuji Lozada and Antonia Giles of Davidson College; Emily Yeh of the University of Colorado-Boulder and Asian Studies Assistant Professor Tami Blumenfield of Furman University.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis dynamic festival will provide a unique opportunity to bring filmmakers and scholars together to share newly completed works with both Furman students and the Greenville community,\u201d said Blumenfield, also the festival\u2019s organizer. \u201cWith some of the most serious environmental problems in the world, expanding discussion on China and spotlighting some solutions is extremely important.\u201d<\/p>\n
The festival is supported by Furman University and a Luce Initiative on Asian Studies and the Environment grant, designed to encourage innovative interdisciplinary teaching, research and programming on Asia\u2019s environment.<\/p>\n
All films are free and open to the public. Showings will be held Thursday and Friday at Furman University\u2019s Burgiss Theater at the Trone Student Center and on Saturday at McEachern Lecture Hall, Room 214, Furman Hall.<\/p>\n