October 2024

SOURCE is Running for a Top Prize at the World’s Biggest Sustainability Film Festival

The 6th Big Syn International Film Festival is screening films of change and hope, until 26 October 2024. The festival trailer had a grand opening at London’s iconic Piccadilly Lights, Europe’s biggest screen. This is the world’s biggest sustainability film festival, reaching over 45 million in 120 countries, 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 a dazzling array of nearly 150 films that have been selected from hundreds of feature films, shorts, documentaries, animations, micro-shorts and charity films from over 120 countries. Amongst others, a notable film that is screening at the festival is SOURCE, a mind blowing movie on the science behind meditation. Directed and Written by Melissa Tittl from Hathor studios, this movie follows the work of  International teacher and researcher Dr Joe Dispenza and a group of scientists from UCSD and Innerscience to reveal the truth about meditation and our bodies. 

The festival is promoted by various 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. 

Justine Simons OBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “The storytelling power of film is a brilliant way to entertain and inform audiences. Big Syn Film Fest will be hosting a wide range of free screenings that will raise awareness about important sustainability issues and inspire urgent action at a time when we are faced with one of humanity’s biggest challenge – climate change. From features to animations, these films will show us that we all have a part to play in looking after our planet, as we build a better London for everyone.”

The films screening will not only entertain, but also enlighten viewers about the big issues faced by our environment, 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. These films tell relatable human stories of struggle, resilience, adaptation, innovation and change from across the world that can inspire positive actions from the viewers. The festival also showcases an exclusive bouquet of films from UK’s marginalised filmmakers (women, LGBTQIA+, ethnic minorities, disabled) and over 50 national and international charities.

Inviting viewers to the festival, the festival’s founders, Dr Ragini G Roy and Dr Sourav Roy, said “The festival features films from student filmmakers to ones from global legends such as OSCAR winners Sir Ian McKellen (X MenLord of the Rings) and Sir David Mark Rylance (Spielberg’s The BFG) amongst others; documentaries from acclaimed EMMY and BAFTA winning filmmakers; and shorts from directors of UK’s favourite shows such as Hollyoaks and Emmerdale – there are films to everyone’s taste and preference.” 

Winners will be declared 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. 

 About the Big Syn International Film Festival.

Big Syn International Film Festival is organised by Big Syn Institute, a part of Centre for Big Synergy, a Civil Society Organisation of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).

Since 2019, the festival has reached over 45 million in 120 countries to create public awareness about sustainability and the United Nations Global Goals or Sustainable Development Goals, using the power of meaningful cinema.

The festival has been led by celebrated sustainability leaders and OSCAR, BAFTA and EMMY winning celebrities such as Gurinder Chadha, OBE (Bend It Like Beckham), Amma Asante, MBE (Belle), OSCAR winner Kevin Willmott (Blackkklansman), Anna Smith (BBC, SKY), Jemima Khan, Baroness Prashar (House of Lords), President Obama’s US Ambassador (Rtd) Howard Gutman, BBC Dragons’ Den green investor Deborah Meaden, BT Group’s Head of environmental sustainability, Gabrielle Giner; Founder of Freegle, Cat Fletcher; Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility guru from London Business School, Prof. Ioannis Ioannou; OSCAR winner Chris Tashima; BAFTA and Cannes award winning filmmaker, Waad Alkateab, and Tom Szaky (Founder Terracycle), to name a few.

Through the films and dialogue, millions of viewers are getting inspired to do more in their own lives because they see the big-picture and how all our lives are interconnected in this modern world. All films touch upon or cover one or more major issues faced by the planet and the people; around social, economic or environmental sustainability such as climate change, climate action, gender inequality, hunger and poverty, discrimination, education, mental health, disability, LGBTQIA+ and many more. The festival screens features, shorts, animations, documentaries, public service announcement, charity films, social media and music videos from independent filmmakers and established production houses, across the globe. Winners are screened in London and worldwide. OSCAR and BAFTA winning films have screened at the festival and vice-versa.

Be a catalyst.

Our groundbreaking research is showing ordinary people doing the extraordinary — changing their physiology, changing their biological markers, and changing their lives, with the power of meditation.

We think the implications can change the world, and we invite you to become a catalyst for change by joining our community of recurring donors.