Novia D. Rulistia ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta

Water issues, rising temperatures and the lost beauty of nature ravaged by humans were some of the themes at a film competition hosted Wednesday at the Salihara community center in South Jakarta.

The final round of the competition, featuring short films by high school students, saw five works selected out of seven.

The five included Reuse Gray Water by Cornelia Stacy Gabriela from Saint Laurensia High School in Tangerang, and Nature’s Memory by Ariel Ezra Bezaliel and Kevin Johanes from Dian Harapan High School, Tangerang.

The other three were Hope by Khosyi Yoga Pratama and Adriel Andriawan from Sinar Mas Academy, Tangerang; What About a Global Change by Shadia Pradsmadji and Pradnya Padminiamaitri from PSKD Mandiri High School, Jakarta; and It’s Our World by Nurdada Hajatulail and Zulfi Prayogo from State High School No. 2, Depok.

Renowned movie director Jay Subiakto, serving as a member of the jury, said he was impressed at the level of concern for the environment exhibited by young people.

“I expected they’d show unusual things from their surroundings, for instance by making a film on life in a traditional market where traders still wrap goods in leaves,” he said.

“By taking a closer look at their surrounding, I’m sure they can generate new ideas and be creative.”

The short films were judged on idea and plot, implementation of the idea, picture quality, editing, and musical score.

“Their techniques are OK, and with more practice they’ll be able to fulfill their potential,” Jay said.

Also judging the competition were The Jakarta Post editor-in-chief Endy M. Bayuni, Sanchi Davis from the Australian Embassy, Mariza Hamid from the Visi Anak Bangsa Foundation, and Dicky Edwin Hindarto from the National Council on Climate Change.

The films can be viewed at the Facebook Study in Australia Indonesia. Viewers may vote for their favorite film through the website of by sending a text message to +62-813-9862 1154, open until Friday.

The announcement of the winners will take place on Feb. 27.

The winner will win a five-day trip to visit universities in Perth, Australia, and view several projects to mitigate climate change impacts.

Australian trade commissioner Patrick Kearins said the competition was held to raise awareness about global warming among youths.

Eighty-eight short films on climate change were sent by high school students across Greater Jakarta. The first stage of the selection process was held by the Indonesian Nobel Foundation between Feb. 17 and 23.

The competition is organized by the Australian Embassy, Climate Project Indonesia, the Indonesian Nobel Foundation, and Perth Education City.

The Jakarta Post