"Net Zero and the Circular Economy" is the theme of the Science Film Festival in Viet Nam, set to take place at the end of October. The festival has selected 20 films from 9 countries, including Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Chile, Colombia, Qatar, Thailand, and the Philippines, from a pool of 85 entries.
The festival’s theme highlights the urgent need to take action alongside efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to address climate protection effectively. The content of the films strongly advocates for reusing and recycling products, prioritizing sharing and repairing existing materials and items. This helps promote the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, including Viet Nam’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. It also encourages nations and localities to transition to a circular economy to reduce the depletion of natural resources, minimize environmental damage, and support biodiversity conservation.
Through the festival, scientific advancements and environmental issues are presented in an engaging and accessible manner for younger audiences. The films are produced to inspire the next generation of scientists, environmentalists, and engineers.
The target audience for the Science Film Festival includes children of all ages, teenagers, and teachers at elementary, middle, and high schools across Viet Nam. After registering as "Science Ambassadors," teachers receive a resource kit containing professionally produced science films, experiential activities aligned with the films, and pre-prepared lesson plans to be used in their teaching environments.
Some of the notable films being showcased include: The Little Scientists’ Home – Salt (Thailand), Adventures with Raffi the Dog (Chile), Nine-and-a-Half Minutes: Hydrogen – Could It Be Green Energy for the Future? (Germany), Ananas Anam: Fashion Material Recycling Technology (UK), Small Dreams of Children in Disaster Areas (Philippines), Greenwashing: The Climate Villain (France), All About Hydrogen Energy (Italy), and Bamboo Dialogues (Qatar).
All films are translated into the local languages of the participating countries, allowing easy access for audiences and creating opportunities for discussions on pressing scientific and environmental challenges.
The opening event of the festival took place at the Experimental Elementary, Middle, and High School in Hanoi on October 17. The festival is also scheduled to launch at the General Sciences Library in Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of October 20.