The Bow Valley Justice Film Festival is returning this weekend for the fifth go-round of offering both films that promote social justice and ways to get involved.
According to Debbie Penninga of Canmore-based CAUSE Canada, the festival’s goal is to address social and environmental issues and provide viewers with more information.
The festival takes place in the Canmore Collegiate High School Theatre, Friday (Feb. 10) at 7 p.m. and again Saturday (Feb. 11) from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The BVJFF is offering seven films this year, each of which is paired with post-film discussions led by Bow Valley locals knowledgeable in the country or issue presented in the films.
“The conversation period is a key part of the festival. If you have a chance to talk it through and have a chance to ask questions of somebody who knows something about it and talk to the NGOs about ways to act and support, it’s valuable,” Penninga said, referring to the NGO Village.
About 20 non-governmental organizations are participating in the NGO Village this year, such as the Bow Valley Food Bank, Bonnybooks, 10,000 Villages and Mountain Grannies.
As part of this year’s lineup, the Canmore Collegiate High School Amnesty International Social Justice Club is presenting Blood in the Mobile, Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. and on Friday at CCHS for Grade 11 and 12 students.
Grade 12 student Emily Bolton said the film traces the minerals used to make cellphones; many of these minerals, such as tin, are mined by children and come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the proceeds are used to finance warfare.
“We thought that would be relevant to pretty much all high school students using technology to get them thinking about their cellphone, which is something they use so much. Just to get them thinking about what it means to own that and the impact that has,” Bolton said.
The film, according to Bolton’s classmate, Navi Smith, also demonstrates how one person can make a difference, something the Social Justice Club strives to demonstrate at CCHS.
“I found that is really interesting because when I found I’m able to learn about something, I’m able to help my peers in school learn about these issues and be engaged about how they can help out on these issues,” Smith said.
The family-friendly film, Chandani: The Daughter of the Elephant Whisperer, is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m.
For more information and a full listing of films, go to www.cause.ca/bvjff Banff
