The Embassies of Austria, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden, in coordination with the University of Santo Tomas through the Office of Public Affairs, held “Today Is Our Future: The First Sustainable Development Goals Documentary Film Festival” from December 2 to 5, 2019 at the UST Civil Law Auditorium, Main Building.
A documentary film festival centered on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “Today Is Our Future” featured thought-provoking films that inspired audiences, composed primarily of UST students from the Faculty of Arts and Letters, Faculty of Engineering, College of Education, College of Commerce, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, and Senior High School, to discuss the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to consider contemporary societal challenges. It was made possible with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP Philippines) and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
Present were the Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines His Excellency Harald Fries, Ambassador of Austria to the Philippines Her Excellency Bita Rasoulian, Deputy Head of Mission and Economic Counselor of the Embassy of the Netherlands in the Philippines Mr. Pieter Terpstra, and Embassy of Germany Cultural Affairs Head Mr. Kai Tomzig.
For SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, the Embassy of Austria showed the film “The Green Lie (2017)” directed by Werner Boote. For SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, Andreas Dalsgaard and Obaidah Zytoon’s “The War Show (2016))” was featured by the Embassy of Denmark.
The Embassy of Germany showed “Thinking Like A Mountain (2018)” directed by Alexander Hick for SDG 13: Climate Action, and the Embassy of The Netherlands showed the documentary “Why We Cycle (2012),” directed by Arne Gielen and Gertjan Hulster, for SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Viktor Nordenskiöld’s “The Feminister (2018)” was shown for SDG 5: Gender Equality, and the Philippines’ entry was Sunday Beauty Queen (2016), directed by Baby Ruth Villarama, for SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
“The SDGs and the documentaries that show them are not part of a grim doomsday prediction. I hope that after you watch [the films] you will realize that they are, in fact, expressions of hope, tenacity and resilience–of the capability and will of mankind to choose the right path for the greater common good,” remarked Ambassador of Austria Her Excellency Bita Rasoulian at the screening of Austrian entry “The Green Lie.”
