Free energy

Two South African based independent film-makers – Jacqueline Van Meygaarden and Luke Younge – were awarded the top prize in the Commonwealth Vision Awards held on 6 December 2007.

These two film-makers, who come from the South African coastal city of Cape Town, received a cash prize of £2,500 and a trophy for their winning film, titled ‘Free Energy’.

This year’s entrants focused on the theme ‘Changing communities, greening the globe’ and were required to depict the importance of action by individuals in combating the effects of climate change and global warming. Their entries also needed to illustrate the need for a response on both the community and international levels.

The awards, which were held at a glittering gala ceremony at the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) in London, were presented by Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon who was the Guest of Honour at the event. Former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who is also current General President of the RCS , presided over the event.

Jaya Jayalakshmi of India, and Ratesh Chandra and Robert Zraick of Fiji Islands also received prizes. The five other shortlisted entries came from India, Pakistan, Antigua and Barbuda, and Canada.

The Commonwealth Vision Awards, which are in their seventh year, are jointly organised by the RCS and the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association. They are supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth Foundation, the British Council, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the British Board of Film Classification and the BBC World Service.

The awards are designed to promote excellence in the making of a short film on a designated Commonwealth theme. Broadcasters and independent film-makers across five regions of the Commonwealth are invited to submit initial entries by providing a written scenario based on the chosen theme. Thereafter, up to 15 applicants are shortlisted by an independent selection panel and awarded £1,000 each to assist in the production of the finished film, which is expected to be between 30 and 90 seconds in length.

Commonwealth television stations and others are being invited to screen presentations of the films on 10 March 2008.

Related News:

• Royal Commonwealth Society
• Commonwealth Broadcasting Association