More than 200 secondary school students are set to take part in the inaugural regional film festival at Fiji National University, in collaboration with the Pacific Human Rights Film Festival.
The screening, organized by the Department of Ethics and Governance, is scheduled for Monday, September 30, at the FNU Lecture Theatre in Nasinu.
Festival Director Ben Wheeler announced that the films will explore the nuclear history of the Marshall Islands, an area that remains largely undisclosed.
Students will also have the chance to engage with the films through a TikTok challenge, with an opportunity for their creative videos to be featured at the festival.
This event signifies the festival’s first extension beyond the University of the South Pacific, with the main festivities taking place from October 5 to 19 in Fiji, and extending regionally to the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Tonga starting from the 27th.
Wheeler emphasized the festival’s significant role in raising awareness around human rights issues, fostering local filmmakers, and encouraging discussions on intricate subjects. He hopes the event will enhance students’ comprehension of global challenges through the lens of colonial histories.
Dr. Mosmi Bhim, head of the Department of Ethics and Governance, highlighted the integration of human rights within their curriculum and expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with the Pacific Community.
The festival aims to amplify awareness regarding the nuclear legacy of the Marshall Islands and to advocate for nuclear disarmament.
The two films scheduled for screening include:
“My Fish is Your Fish” (Marshall Islands): A short film depicting the long-term consequences of nuclear testing.
“In Exile” (Marshall Islands): A documentary that examines America’s nuclear legacy in the Pacific through the eyes of the Marshallese community.