Archived press release

Green film winners announced

22 October 2007

A panel of professionals including British film greats Lord David Puttnam and Andrew Macdonald have awarded The Plastic Battle - a film which explores how over packaging of children's toys can sometimes takes on absurd dimensions - as Best Green Film as part of Friends of the Earth's one-minute green film competition. [1]

The People's Choice Award, as decided by the voting public, goes to 15 year old student Bridget Hamilton for her film Change, which brings to life her concept "one person is all it takes to spread the word, save the planet."

The competition generated entries from around the world and lead to Friends of the Earth's You Tube channel being ranked as the number one most viewed not-for-profit channel of all time. Even Aardman's first hit character, the 80's kids TV favourite, Morph - came out of retirement to promote the competition and call for entries.

Tony Juniper, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth:

"The winning filmmakers illustrate the power of a simple story in getting across important environmental messages. The competition attracted over one million views to our film channel since its launch in May, highlighting the power of film to engage and inspire audiences around the world. "

Andrew Macdonald, whose credits include Trainspotting and 28 Days Later, said:

"There was a really high calibre of entries and the films in Friends of the Earth's competition are incredibly imaginative."

Ulla Jacobsen, Danish Filmmaker and winner of Best Green Film Award:

"I'm honoured to have won the Best Green Film award. I hope my small contribution will help put focus on one environmental issue and will make just a few people think green next time they are going to buy a birthday present.

Bridget Hamilton, 15 year old British filmmaker and winner of the People's Choice Award

"I'm delighted to be the People's Choice winner of the competition. The film was a real community effort and such a great experience to make. "

The panel of expert judges included:

Lord Puttnam: Oscar-winning producer and long standing ambassador of commercial British film.

Andrew Macdonald: Film Producer. Credits include Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, Sunshine and 28 Days Later.

David Sproxton: Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Aardman Animation, renown for a number of animated films including Chicken Run.

Dilly Gent: best known for her work as Radiohead's Creative Director. Neil Goodlad: Managing Director of leading advertising agency CHI & Partners James Mullighan: Creative Director of Shooting People - the world's leading community of independent filmmakers

Tony Juniper, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth

Notes

[1] Friends of the Earth launched the one-minute green film competition, in association with Filminute (the international one-minute film festival) on 30 April 2007 and closed for entries on 20th August. Over 100 entries from around the world were submitted and featured on Friends of the Earth's You Tube channel www.youtube.com/friendsoftheearth which is currently ranked as the number one most viewed not-for-profit channel of all time. The short list of 23 film, winners and runners up can also be seen at www.youtube.com/friendsoftheearth. The winners and runners up in each award category are:

Best Green Film Award

The Plastic Battle, Director Ulla Jacobsen, Denmark

cHair, Director Susan Tomlinson, UK

The Bags, Director Haydn Butler, UK

People's Choice One-minute film

Change, Director Bridget Hamilton, UK

Sustainable Places Make Happy Faces, Director Elle Gould, UK

Sight (VII Days), Director Rehana Rose Khan, UK

A great selection of prizes were secured for the winning filmmakers. For more information visit www.foe.co.uk/greenfilm

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust