ECO FILM PRODUCTION PROJECT 2021-22: A call for filmmakers

About the project:

Hosted by the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) and Four Paws Viet

The Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) and the NGO Four Paws Viet are committed to biodiversity and animal welfare. In order to reach a wider public, we are looking to collaborate with documentary filmmakers. The Goethe-Institute supports this collaboration.

This project is addressed to documentary filmmakers who support the global sustainability goals (especially development goal 15: Life on land). This cooperation offers them preferential access to eco-activists, our stories and to the animals that we care for.

About the theme of CCD:

Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) is a non-government organization. It was established in 2017, with the vision of harmony between conservation and development; people and nature; restore and maintain the ecosystem balance and biodiversity.

The main groups of activities of CCD:

– Landscape Conservation

• Afforestation and restoration of degraded forest areas with native tree species in Xuan Lien Nature Reserve (Thanh Hoa)
• Support Protected Areas to develop sustainable development plans to manage and use the forest and natural resources: Xuan Lien Nature Reserve (Thanh Hoa), Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai).

– Wildlife Conservation

• Delacour’s langur (Trachypithecus delacouri): Implemented in the limestone landscape of Kim Bang district (Ha Nam);
• Northern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) and Slow loris (Nycticebus bengalensis): Implemented in Xuan Lien Nature Reserve (Thanh Hoa).

– Plant Conservation

• Threatened timber species (Dalbergia oliveri Gamble x Prain & Dalbergia cochinchinensis Pierre): Implemented in several Protected Areas in Vietnam;
• Precious orchids (Paphiopedilum helenae Aver): Implemented in Trung Khanh (Cao Bang).

– Sustainable Development

• Participate in developing a nationwide network to prevent illegal exploitation and trade of wild animals and plants
• Promoting community-based tourism, improving livelihoods for local communities in Bat Xat (Lao Cai), Binh Lieu (Quang Ninh), Trang An (Ninh Binh), Xuan Thuy (Nam Dinh).

– Environmental Education:

CCD organizes nature and culture experience programs for pupils, students and families. With creative and practical forms of communication and education, participants have the opportunity to learn and experience the natural values, customs and traditional culture in typical areas such as Cuc Phuong National Park, Bat Xat Nature Reserve (Lao Cai), Trang An Heritage Site (Ninh Binh), ethnic minority communities in Binh Lieu (Quang Ninh).

– Methods and equipment used:

• Using drones/flycams and remote sensing images in forest survey, determining changes in forest area in Protected Areas.
• Using SMART tool kit in forest patrolling and monitoring in Kim Bang (Ha Nam) and Xuan Lien (Thanh Hoa)
• Using radio-tracking equipment and camera traps (set the cameras in automatic mode in the forest) in wildlife surveys to identify the number of species and the number of individuals of the species in protected areas (Xuan Lien, Thanh Hoa).

– Participation of local communities in conservation activities

• People participate in activities of investigating, patrolling, monitoring and protecting endangered species in their local region, having additional sources of income from receiving payment for participating in project activities.
• Participate in technical training on planting and tending plantation forests to improve and diversify their livelihoods.
• CCD supports connecting and promoting local products to outside organizations and businesses and develops community-based tourism.
• CCD is a bridge to connect stakeholders, bring community’s voices and aspirations closer to management agencies and policymakers

Key messages

With CCD’s activities and efforts, local communities’ livelihoods have been improved in a sustainable way, managers’ capacity at all levels have been enhanced, and partners and scientists have been connected to jointly develop effective and practical conservation plans and strategies.

Throughout the ECO film project, CCD hopes to produce a valuable message that influences people to protect environment and nature. On the other hand, CCD’s efforts in the nature conservation and development sector got global accreditation. Thus, the film should be an encouragement for CCD to continue contributing to sustainable development in Vietnam.

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Applicants have Vietnamese citizenship and must be at least 18 years of age at time of application submission.
• Applicants should have previous storytelling experience through a visual medium.
• Responsible, open-minded and have good teamwork and problem-solving skills.
• Aware of the working environment when producing documentary films with CSOs.
• In good health condition.
• The filmmaker or production entity must have the required equipment for film production, budgetary and editorial control over the proposed project.

Benefits:

If you’re selected, you:

• Receive a budget of 7,000 EUR (equivalent to 185,000,000 VNĐ, including taxes) for documentary film production.
• Are given an open chance to make your product known among other platforms/ rewards.
• Join training workshops on the art of telling stories; sustainable film making and how to integrate yourself in working with CSOs and local communities.
• Will be enabled to complete your products.
• Are part of our showcase event where you can share your stories and make yourself visible to the public.

Product quality requirements:

• Number: 01 film with maximum 30 min long and at least 15 photographs for communication purposes.
• High-quality film (at least Full HD resolution).
• Respecting people and the facts and no made-up stories.
• Creative in the way of telling stories.
• Copyright of the films belongs to Goethe-Institut and Partners (including participating CSOs and film-makers).

Timeline:       

• Application deadline: Please send your application to the email address kultur-hanoi@goethe.de by 23:59, Friday November 24, 2021 with the title ‘ECOFILM_Your Name_CSO you will partner with’ (e.g. ECOFILM_NguyenLinhChi_CCD).
• Download the application form [here]
• Application screening & interviews: Will be done successively by the end of November 2021
• Application result and training: December 2021
• Film production period: Jan 2022 – September 2022

Contact:

Mr. Ta Quoc Truong – Project Coordinator

Email: truong.ta@ccd.org.vn

Goethe-Institut

The Goethe-Institut is the Federal Republic of Germany’s cultural institute, active worldwide. We promote the study of German abroad and encourage international cultural exchange.

Center for Nature Conservation and Development

Center for Conservation and Development (CCD) is a Vietnamese NGO working independently in the field of biodiversity research and conservation, sustainable forest management and implementation of activity on development assistance to harmonize the issues of natural conservation and community development, between people and the biosphere in Vietnam.