Edition broke record number of registrations and partnerships with national and international institutions
The International Environmental Film and Video Festival (Fica) reaches its 25th edition with an expanded program and with greater penetration on the national and international scene. The event, which celebrates 25 years of existence this year, more than doubled the number of film and artist registrations, significantly increased partnerships inside and outside Brazil, and also brought sustainability actions to make Fica a zero-carbon event.
The competitive exhibitions received 1078 entries from 77 countries on 5 continents, and also from 26 Brazilian states, which shows the credibility and growth of the festival. More than 100 films are being shown, 40 panels and debates, 6 conferences, 20 shows, dozens of artistic presentations, 18 workshops and mini-courses, 3 exhibitions, and many other activities.
But getting to this moment was no easy task, as explained by the Secretary of State for Culture, Yara Nunes. The festival, which is held by the Government of Goiás, had to be interrupted in 2019 due to debts in the cultural sector left by the previous administration, which totaled more than R$ 58 million. “There were debts with suppliers and many problems that left a huge trail of discredit in relation to Fica. There were no conditions to hold the event at that time, but we organized the bills, paid all debts and managed to return with the event in 2020”, he highlights.
In 2020, a completely online edition was held due to the pandemic with an investment of R$ 275 thousand. In 2021, it was the turn of a hybrid edition (online and in-person), with resources totaling R$ 1.5 million. In the same year, R$ 776 thousand were paid to suppliers of Fica carried out under the previous administration.
In 2022, Fica will once again be a fully in-person event and received a contribution of R$ 5 million from the state government. “Everything has changed because now, before the event even starts, all the funds are already deposited in the account. We have no debts, we do not default and we started to organize the festival better, with more planning, seriousness and sensitivity, which generated an increase in trust between suppliers and the artistic class”, says Yara.
In 2023, an agreement was signed with the Federal University of Goiás (UFG), through the Educational Radio and Television Foundation (FRTVE), for the co-realization of the festival with the aim of reducing bureaucracy in the management of events and giving them a unique character. of public policy aimed at the cultural sector. “We are now carrying out several studies to better direct resources and meet the diverse demands of artists and the city of Goiás”, emphasizes the secretary.
The financial contribution for the event in 2023 was R$ 4.4 million. For the 2024 edition, the investment for the festival is R$ 5.4 million. In total, to date, more than R$17 million in resources have been allocated to the festival between the years 2019 and 2024.
Sustainability
Fica reaches its 25th anniversary with the most sustainable edition in its history. This year, several actions in favor of the environment were implemented with the aim of reducing environmental impacts in the city of Goiás, which is listed as a cultural and intangible heritage of humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO).
Fica 2024 is considered a zero carbon event. In other words, all greenhouse gas emissions emitted during the event will be offset by planting trees after the festival.
The source of the Chapéu de Padre stream is also being revitalized in this edition with cleaning, planting of native Cerrado species and site recovery actions. This initiative will continue after the festival with activities to sign the area and monitor the development of plants.
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, electric cars are being used by the festival's production team, in partnership with Saga BYD. There is still selective collection of disposable solid waste, which is being carried out by the city's garbage collectors' cooperative, Recicla Tudo.
100 pairs of bins were also distributed in the city, designed for organic and recyclable waste. Later, these bins will be delivered to schools in the municipality to raise awareness among children and teenagers about the correct disposal of waste.
Another unprecedented initiative of Fica 2024 is the holding of the 1st Children's Forum on climate change, which was attended by more than 300 Vilabo students from public and private schools. Several educational activities were developed in schools and the result of the discussions is a letter that will be delivered to governor Ronaldo Caiado at the closing ceremony, which will be held this Sunday (16/6), at 10am, at Cine Teatro São Joaquim.
Multicultural event
Fica 2024 has a vast free program, with competitive exhibitions, debates with big names in national and international cinema, environmental activities and cultural attractions.
The festival is organized by the Government of Goiás, through the State Secretariat for Culture (Secult), in co-organization with the Federal University of Goiás (UFG), through the Educational Radio and Television Foundation (RTVE). The event continues in the city of Goiás until next Sunday (16/06).
The 25th Fica has support from the Goiás Social program; of the State Secretariats for Resumption; of Science, Technology and Innovation (Secti); and Environment and Sustainable Development (Semad); Saneago; State University of Goiás (UEG), Federal Institute of Goiás (IFG); Social Service of Commerce (Sesc) and Goiás City Hall. This year the event also has as supporters the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), The Nature Conservancy, MapBiomas, Museu Nacional dos Povos Indigenous/Funai, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Kelldrin Group and Saga BYD.
State Secretariat for Culture – Government of Goiás
