The Department of English and Humanities at Brac University recently hosted a unique event on its Merul Badda campus, featuring 11 “eco-friendly” short films addressing pressing environmental issues while maintaining minimal carbon footprints.
The festival was an international collaboration with the Small File Media Festival (https://www.smallfile.ca) from the School for the Contemporary Arts at Simon Fraser University, Canada.
The showcased films were produced by Brac University students who participated in workshops held between October and December of this year.
These workshops were led by Mohammad Zaki Rezwan, Senior Lecturer in the Department of English and Humanities and Dr Laura Marks, founder of the Small File Media Festival and professor at Simon Fraser University.
Small file media aims to reduce the carbon footprint of streaming by creating low-bandwidth films with small file sizes, averaging only one megabyte per minute.
This innovative approach allows films to be streamed with a significantly reduced environmental impact.
Founded in 2020, the Small File Media Festival is a media-arts initiative that raises awareness about the environmental impact of streaming media, which contributes approximately 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The event welcomed Dr Susan Vize, Unesco Representative to Bangladesh, as the chief guest, alongside media scholar Oliur Rahman Sun and climate advocate Sohanur Rahman as special guests.
Dr Firdous Azim, Chairperson of the Department of English and Humanities, lauded the initiative for promoting awareness of the environmental impact of media consumption through creative and sustainable filmmaking practices.
Dr Laura Marks shared a recorded message emphasizing the festival’s mission to inspire low-carbon, aesthetically innovative films.
Dr Susan Vize highlighted the cultural significance of sustainable development, while Sohanur Rahman and Oliur Rahman Sun called for both individual and global actions to reduce carbon footprints.
The event showcased 11 short films created by Brac University students, including Harmony of Heart and Hustle by Sakib Sadi, Abdullah by Nazmul Hasan, Wild and Free by Sumaiya Shams Joyeeta, Elysium by Nakshatra Roy, The Veil of Corrosion by Md. Tahjid Ahsan, Last Hour by Md Mir Showkat Hossain, Living with Nature by Mahjabin Ahmed Mumu, Wondering Wandering by Mahmudul Hasan Akhand, Lost Playgrounds by Fariha Shahin, Pollution Production by Faria Islam Dipti and Pain by Asifur Rahman.
The event successfully combined artistic expression with environmental consciousness, inspiring participants and attendees alike to rethink media consumption and its impact on the planet.
