The Odense International Film Festival (OFF) in collaboration with THE WHY Foundation organised screening of ten short films on Saturday, September 4. An expert jury selected ten films that will be given the chance to be a part of THE WHY’s global media campaign about plastic - WHY PLASTIC?, starting in October 2021. The full list of the films can be found here.

The winner in the WHY PLASTIC? Short film competition is film PlasticC made by Sachin vs, Vivek Jangid, Indranil Ujagare, Ayushi Chattrerjee, Aaryama Somayaji. The second place went to American Stefie Gan and her short film Plastic Ecosystem. Iranian Asghar Besharati took third place with the film Palastik.

“These filmmakers created stories with different angles on the topic,” said THE WHY assistant producer Kajsa Rosenblad. “The reinvented visuals like animals trapped in plastic using plastic to create visuals. They built strong narratives and emotional journeys adding poetry and artistic vision to a topic that’s otherwise very factual.”

The screening was followed by a discussion with the public and an Award ceremony, where winners in all short film categories including WHY PLASTIC? Short film competition were announced.

Storytelling at its best

THE WHY jury selecting the winning films from all the submissions consisted of professionals from the filmmaking and documentary world: Mette Hoffmann Meyer, Kajsa Rosenblad, Christoffer Guldbrandsen, Marcus Liberski and Tine Fischer.

Stories that spark curiosity

WHY PLASTIC? Short films was a new and unique addition to the Odense International Film Festival. Films submitted to this competition reflected the problem of plastic pollution and its effect on our lives from different angles, tackling the topic in many creative ways.

The screening of ten films selected by an expert jury was accessible to the public. The audience had a chance to watch the stories and creativity of filmmakers coming from all corners of the world. The screening was followed by an engaging discussion with the jury members and the audience.

“I’m so proud and happy to be a part of this competition. If this short movie can have a little impact on our lives and consciousness, it’ll be great,” concluded Marguerite Hayter, a filmmaker who participated in the WHY PLASTIC? Short film competition, after lively debate full of curious questions from the audience.

WHY PLASTIC? - response to the environmental crisis

We are drowning in billions of tons of plastic - material that lasts forever. The global media campaign WHY PLASTIC? is a response to the intensifying environmental and social crises caused by plastic pollution. The three feature documentaries integrating this campaign aim to shine a light on the topic, untangling the confusion and misinformation that surrounds it.

Read more about the WHY PLASTIC? campaign.

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