The “Restoring balance with nature” Earthbeat Challenge was launched on August 5th and led up to the COP26 Climate Conference in November 2021. The initiative was supported by the UNDP and GEF Small Grants Programme, and the secretariats of the three Rio UN agencies – UN Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention to Combat Desertification. The Impact Award was powered by the Bertha Foundation.
The film challenge focussed on three themes: Protecting and Restoring Ecosystems, Protecting and Restoring Land, the Challenge of Climate Change. A team of international judges selected a shortlist and an online vote decided the people’s choice for each category.
The jury also selected winners for the Impact Award and invited some of the filmmakers to attend an online Masterclass to help them develop their smartphone storytelling skills.
All winners will receive a smartphone filmmaking kit consisting of external microphone, tripod and grip and MicroLED light.
We received 77 films from 31 countries. Films were watched online more than 60,000 times, with views from 75 countries,
The People’s Vote
The three films below were selected as winners of the People’s Vote by receiving the highest number of views in the three YouTube playlists:
- The dream of plastic – Deniz Dağdelen, Turkey
- The new goddess of our century – Nana Minta, Ghana
- Amod Aranya – Vikas Yadav and Nandini Dixit, India
Young Filmmakers Award
This film received the highest number of views for a filmmaker between 14 and 17.
- Do nothing farming – Ozan Küçükyavuz, Turkey
Impact Award
Six films were awarded an Impact Award. See below for details.
- Ayu Kusuma Pertiwi, Indonesia Floods
- Emma Weaver and Danni Thomas, St Helena Island – Saving the She Cabbage from extinction
- Lynette Tatenda Gonga and Denslow Christian D. Kisi, Zimbabwe – Trees for Mhondoro
- Roberth Fuentes, Philippines – Plastic age
- Tshepo Heqoa, Lesotho – Herale mushrooms
- Yasar Sharief, India – Dangar chas