The 6th Big Syn International Film Festival, that is the world’s biggest sustainability film festival, had a grand opening at Europe’s biggest screen, London’s Piccadilly Lights, where it reached over 45 million in 120 countries. It is led by a Grand Jury of OSCAR, BAFTA and EMMY award-winners and leaders from the United Nations, House of Lords, as well as sustainability, policy and media stalwarts.
The festival is screening nearly 150 films that have been selected from hundreds of feature films, shorts, documentaries, animations, micro-shorts and charity films from over 120 countries. Among these is Unbound the Greyhound, a film that calls for a ban on greyhound racing in Scotland. The animated film tells the story of Bob the greyhound, who has been rescued from the greyhound racing industry, and fictional greyhound, Bea, who remains in the racing industry. Through the narration of Bob the greyhound, the short film explores the welfare issues of dog racing and highlights the need for a phase out to dog racing.
The film by the Unbound the Greyhound coalition (comprising 9 animal welfare groups and led by Scottish animal welfare charity based in Edinburgh, OneKind), is a finalist at the festival and was selected as part of a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals commitment.
OneKind’s Head of Campaigns and Media, Eve Massie Bishop said “We are absolutely thrilled to be nominated for this highly coveted award for the coalition’s short film calling for an end to dog racing in Scotland. Dog racing is on its last legs in Scotland, with just one single track remaining in the country and strong backing from the public for a ban. Greyhounds are affectionate, sensitive dogs that deserve warm homes with loving families.”
Members of the coalition include campaigning charities, re-homing centres, and an all-party parliamentary group: OneKind, All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (APDAWG), Animal Concern, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, GREY2K USA Worldwide, Hope Rescue, League Against Cruel Sports Scotland, Say No to Greyhound Racing in Scotland, and Scotland Against Greyhound Exploitation (SAGE).
The festival is promoted by leading national and international organisations including major UN agencies such as World Meteorological Agency, International Maritime Organisation and UNRIC, as well as other leading art and culture institutions such as the British Council and Directors UK.
The range of films screening aim to entertain while enlightening viewers about the big issues faced by the environment, animals, economy and society; climate change, plastic pollution, conservation, biodiversity, mental health, equity, diversity, gender equality and many more burning topics are covered by this year’s official selections and finalists.
Winners will be announced on 8th November at the red carpet gala awards ceremony at Curzon Soho and all the winners will be featured on Europe’s biggest screen, London’s Piccadilly Lights on 14th November 2024.
Big Syn International Film Festival runs until 26th October 2024
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 