Film Festival To Create Buzz Around Eco Fiesta

Local content creator Sharynti Allan’s passion for the environment is what led her to enter Townsville City Council’s The Buzz film-making competition in 2022, and with the return of Council’s popular Eco Fiesta and The Buzz later this year, she can’t wait to dust off her camera to defend her first-place title.

With the recent launch of The Buzz, Council is calling all aspiring film makers to pull out their storyboards and get creating to share in thousands of dollars of prizes by entering the Eco Fiesta video competition.

The Buzz is a competition centred around the return of Council’s popular Eco Fiesta event and the importance of the natural environment, sustainability and pollinators, to be held at Anderson Gardens on Sunday 2 June, 2024.

“I really have a passion for nature and looking after the environment and The Buzz competition was a great way I felt to get the word out about little things we can do to help,” Sharynti said.

Sharynti’s 3-minute film titled The Buzz took out first place in the inaugural video competition in 2022 claiming the title of queen bee and sharing in about $9000 worth of prizes.

“My video was about small ways we can make a big difference to our future, just like how the bee is small and makes a huge difference in the environment,” she said.

“The competition was a great opportunity to learn so much about pollinators while being creative with my family.

“My family and I make YouTube videos and I like to act and perform in community groups.”

Sharynti said it was vital for the future of our planet and every living thing that we protect our natural environment.

“As humans I believe we have a responsibility to take care of all living things on this earth and by ensuring that our native environment is looked after, even through the smallest of actions, we are making sure we have a long and bright future for every living creature,” she said.

“People should definitely get involved in The Buzz this year, it is a fantastic way to get together with your community to learn about the importance of pollinators in the environment and spread the word amongst the community.”

A Council spokesperson said entrants will need to create a three-minute short film about the impact pollinators and healthy soil have on our ecosystem and must title their video The Buzz.

“The Townsville community will be thrilled to see the return of Eco Fiesta in 2024. With more than 10,000 people in attendance in 2022, we’re hoping to see this year’s event come back bigger and better,” they said.

“Council is proud to invest in a well-educated community that participates in the protection and promotion of our dry tropics and reef coast.

“The event will centre around sustainability and pollinators like bees, birds and butterflies and their importance in the community, while showcasing the latest and greatest in environmental tips, products, and ideas.

“This year’s Eco Fiesta aims to explore the importance of pollinators and provide awareness around how residents can take real butterfly-friendly action in their community.”

The Buzz video competition is open to everyone with entries welcome to individuals and groups, the film competition plays a major part of the Eco Fiesta community event running on 2 June 2024, with the screening of The Buzz the evening before on Saturday 1 June 2024.

Submissions close Monday 6 May 2024, for more details about Eco Fiesta and The Buzz, visit What’s On Townsville.

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