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 event, organized by the Department of Ethics and Governance, will be held at the FNU Lecture Theatre in Nasinu on Monday, 30 September. Festival Director Ben Wheeler highlighted that the films screened will address the nuclear history of the Marshall Islands, an area still enveloped in mystery.
Students will have the chance to engage with the films through a TikTok challenge, where their videos could be featured during the festival. This festival represents the first time it has expanded beyond the University of the South Pacific, with the primary event scheduled to run from 5 to 19 October in Fiji and also reaching the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Tonga starting from the 27th.
Wheeler emphasized the festival’s distinct role in tackling human rights themes, promoting local filmmakers, and prompting discussions on intricate issues. He expressed hope that the festival will enhance students’ comprehension of global challenges through the lens of colonial histories.
Dr. Mosmi Bhim, head of the Department of Ethics and Governance, underscored the significance of human rights education within their curriculum and embraced the partnership with the Pacific Community.
The festival aims to increase awareness about the nuclear legacy in the Marshall Islands and support initiatives for nuclear disarmament.
The two films slated for screening are:
“My Fish is Your Fish” (Marshall Islands): A short film illustrating the long-term effects of nuclear testing.
“In Exile” (Marshall Islands): A film that examines America’s nuclear legacy in the Pacific from the viewpoint of the Marshallese community.