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, is scheduled for Monday, September 30, at the FNU Lecture Theatre in Nasinu.
Festival Director Ben Wheeler emphasized that the featured films will explore the nuclear history of the Marshall Islands, a subject still largely surrounded by secrecy.
Students will have the chance to engage with the films through a TikTok challenge, offering them the opportunity for their videos to be displayed at the festival.
This festival represents its first extension beyond the University of the South Pacific, with the main activities running from October 5 to 19 in Fiji, followed by events in the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Tonga starting October 27.
Wheeler highlighted the festival’s distinctive position in addressing human rights issues, supporting local filmmakers, and encouraging discussions on intricate topics. He hopes that the experience will enhance students’ awareness of global challenges through the framework of colonial histories.
Dr. Mosmi Bhim, head of the Department of Ethics and Governance, underlined the significance of including human rights topics in their curriculum and expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration with the Pacific Community.
The festival aims to promote awareness of the Marshall Islands’ nuclear legacy and bolster initiatives for nuclear disarmament.
The two films scheduled for screening are:
“My Fish is Your Fish” (Marshall Islands): A short film depicting the long-term effects of nuclear testing.
“In Exile” (Marshall Islands): A look into America’s nuclear legacy in the Pacific from the perspective of the Marshallese community.