Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/384358
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2014 41 THIS WEEK KINO Malta presents Short Films Under The Stars – Villa Bologna on September 22 at 19:30. Filmmakers are often asked the broad question: why make a short film? As they don't necessarily translate to fame and fortune. However, when it comes to short films, the game is changing. Over the past six years, the number of short film narratives available online has exploded and opened up new pathways for rising filmmakers. From European to American shorts being screened on the night, 'Short Films Under The Stars' celebrates how short film cin- ema is now at the centre of in- novative storytelling with new directors making their first mark in the filmmaker's play- ground with new ideas and new filming techniques. There are thousands of shorts created across the world every year, and as time passes there isn't a bet- ter time to produce a short film since it's becoming a frequently watched medium. Beyond that, it's about creat- ing and believing in the magical power of short stories to illumi- nate this world. Short Films Under the Stars is the event where the audience is given the opportunity to vote for the best film. Entrance is €10 and includes wine and canapes including free popcorn. For bookings please email eu- romediaforum@gmail.com or text to 99454066. Local Maltese filmmakers are encouraged to submit their own short films for the next edition of Short Films under the Stars. For detailed short film programme visit ht- tps://www.facebook.com/Euro. Media.Forum This event is being done in col- laboration with Villa Bologna, Kino Malta, Citizens of Europe and Euro Media Forum. European birdwatchers all agree that, colour wise, European birds are decidedly drab. With few exceptions, most birds of our region are either brown, grey, white, black or a combination of this rather meagre palette. One psychedelic exception to this general dearth of colour is the European Roller: it's tourquoise! Yes, and ultramarine, chestnut, pastel blue, metallic purple and black. Very tropical- sounding colours, and indeed the bird crosses the tropics every year as it winters in southern Africa. But to nest, Rollers travel north to the Mediterranean, eastern Europe, etc. which is why they turn up here too in spring and autumn. It's a regular bird in that it's seen every year but by no means is the Roller (M: Farrug) common. It is in fact a very scarce sighting, but one look at that spectacular plumage is all it takes to ID a Roller. It's also conveniently chunky and likes to perch in the open, on wires and things. Naturally, there's the downside to all this colour! A sighting like that tends to generate much 'socio-cultural' passion and sets many trigger ngers itching. Incidentally, it's a protected species. 422. EUROPEAN ROLLER GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 324: DON'T THROW IT AWAY! – One man's thrash is another man's treasure - Post a pictures / description of your unwanted item in the Recycle Malta Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/recyclemalta/ Two days before world leaders gather in New York for their Climate Summit, Friends of the Earth International warned that the Tuesday 'talk shop' will only see leaders fiddling with flimsy pledges instead of committing to binding carbon reductions. World leaders are falling far short of delivering what we need to truly tackle climate change in a just way. Their flimsy non-binding pledges in New York will do little to improve their track record. What we urgently need are equitable and binding carbon reductions, not flimsy voluntary ones. Hundreds of thousands of people including Friends of the Earth International members and supporters will today be marching in New York, London, Amsterdam and many other cities around the world to demand climate justice, standing with climate and dirty energy-affected communities worldwide. Last week the World Meteorological Organization warned that atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases hit a record in 2013 as carbon dioxide concentrations grew at the fastest rate since global records began. The impact of increasingly common extreme weather events, such as flooding, droughts and hurricanes, are devastating the lives and livelihoods of many millions of people. Climate change is directly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people per year, most of whom live in poorer countries. Without immediate action, climate change will certainly get worse and could pass a dangerous tipping point where it becomes both catastrophic and irreversible. Friends of the Earth International demands a total phase out of carbon emissions by the middle of this century in order to reverse current warming trends and minimize the chance of irreversible damage and possible runaway climate change. It believes that industrialised countries must urgently commit to reducing their emissions domestically – without false solutions such as offsets – in line with what science and equity demand. There are real solutions to the climate crisis. First among them is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Reductions must be agreed through a legally- binding agreement at the UNFCCC that is in line with what science and equity demand. We also need clean sustainable community energy - the right for people to have access to energy; to decide and own their sustainable energy sources such as wind and solar and sustainable consumption patterns. Climate summit: world leaders fiddle while the planet burns Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us www.foemalta.org. You can also support us by sending a blank SMS donation on 50618070 (€4.66) or 50619223 (€11.65). Text Victor Falzon Photo Aron Tanti Short films under the stars There are thousands of shorts created across the world every year, and as time passes there isn't a better time to produce a short film, since it's becoming a frequently- watched medium