Projects include a new feature length documentary from 2012 Oscar winning director Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy (Saving Face), veteran filmmaker Steve James (The Interrupters) looking at new ideas to tackle the world food problem, Josh Fox (Gasland) investigating obstructions for renewable energy, Rwandan filmmaker Yves Montand Niyongabo exploring peace in the face of adversity and young Burmese VJ, Joshua Min Htut. For more information on each project head over to http://britdoc.org/real_films/puma_awards_directory

Concurrent with the announcement of the winners, PUMA.Creative and BRITDOC Foundation announced the second call for PUMA.Creative Catalyst Awards for 2012 applications open. APPLY HERE: http://puma.britdoc.org/catalyst

PUMA.Creative Catalyst Awardees Announced Today:

The Bolivian Case – Violeta Ayala (Bolivia)

The Bolivian Case is a character driven film about two of the world’s biggest businesses: the media and drug trafficking. Following the story of three Norwegian girls arrested for drug trafficking, the film takes us from a jail in one of the world’s poorest countries to a court in one of the world’s richest.

El Poeta – Kelly Duane de la Vega and Katie Galloway (USA)

A story of grief and redemption through poetry, El Poeta is an intimate portrait of Javier Sicilia, Mexican poet-turned-activist and leader of Mexico’s Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity, as he turns the tragic murder of his son into a motivator for change.

Fireflies in the Abyss – Chandrasekhar Reddy (India)

Fireflies in the Abyss is an immersive portrayal of coal mining in Northern India. The film follows three young boys representative of the thousands that are lured to the mines by the prospect of quick money and who spend their time dreaming of escape.

Generation Food – Steve James and Raj Patel (USA)

With a billion hungry and nearly two billion overweight, we know the food system is broken; the good news is that we can still fix it. Generation Food follows filmmaker Steve James and author and activist Raj Patel as they seek out the communities inventing new ways of feeding themselves sustainably.

GITI - The Paradise of the Hell – Yves Montand Niyongabo (Rwanda)

GITI - The Paradise of Hell tells a story of peace against the odds. The township of Giti was one of the few places that did not take up the call to arms during the Rwandan ethnic genocide. This film centres on those who protected victims at the risk of their own lives and asks why.

Kashmir: Beyond the Line of Control – Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (Pakistan/Canada)

What is it to grow up in a conflict zone? Kashmir: Beyond the Line of Control chronicles the lives of six children who live in villages along the Kashmir border in Pakistan with India.

My Marriage, My Parents – Wuna (Tai-Jen) Wu (Taiwan/China)

Set in Taiwan, My Marriage, My Parents asks: How do you make peace with parents when they become the greatest opponents of your desired marriage? A matchmaker with a unique philosophy for marriage may provide the key.

The Oasis – Pietra Brettkelly (New Zealand)

The Oasis tells the story of Kabul’s female-only park through the eyes of its visitors. Amidst the bombing and destruction that is Kabul the Oasis is a place of peace, calm and the teaching of women’s rights.

The Return of Burma VJ – Joshua Min Htut (Burma)

The Return of Burma VJ will look at how Burma has changed under the new regime through the lens of Burmese VJ Joshua Min Htut. Following his activities in the award winning Burma VJ Joshua was exiled for five years, now as his exile is lifted he prepares to return home with his camera in tow.

Untitled Renewables Film – Josh Fox (USA)

What is holding up the world’s transition to renewable energy? Josh Fox is on a mission to find out. Is the available technology still too primitive or is political pressure on behalf of the powerful fossil fuel industry holding us back?

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