Between April 27 and 29, the Lethes Theatre in Faro will host the 6th edition of Scianema, promising evening “where some of the most important marine conservation issues will be observed and discussed.”

Environmental advocacy organisation Sciaena has announced a showcase of films focusing on the ocean, its preservation, public awareness and education wil be presented in Faro next week.

Between April 27 and 29, the Lethes Theatre in Faro will host the 6th edition of Scianema – Festival of Cinema, Awareness, Oceans and Conservation, “a showcase of films dedicated to the sea and the challenges it faces”, said the organisation in a press release.

Sciaena, the Faro-based non-governmental organisation, dedicated to the conservation and recovery of the marine environment and promoter of the festival, has selected five films that will be shown over the course of the three nights. These will feature “transversal and urgent themes, such as the impacts of maritime transport and the importance of marine forests”.

According to the statement, the event fits into Sciaena’s “broader efforts” to “activate citizens in the fight against the climate crisis and the recognition of the ocean as an essential element for our survival and well-being”.

“Scianema is one of our main bets for alerting and raising public awareness of the impacts humanity causes under the ocean’s surface and generating an open conversation about the role our society should play in its protection,” said Sciaena’s Nicolas Blanc.

The opening of the festival, scheduled for Thursday, April 27, will feature “Black Trail”, a cross-border documentary directed by Micael Pereira that “lifts the veil on the shipping industry’s attempt to escape the climate crisis”.

On the second night, in partnership with Faro Cineclub, the chosen film is “Entre-Ilhas” by Amaya Sumpsi, a “sensorial journey through the Azores archipelago and the memories of its inhabitants”.

The festival ends on Saturday, April 29, with three short films: “The Blue Forest” by Philip Hamilton, “Voice of the Fish” by Dona Edite, and “The Trash Cycle” by activist Andreas Noe.

The organisation promises “an evening where some of the most important marine conservation issues will be observed and discussed”, such as “the importance of preserving and restoring marine forests, the destructive effects of overfishing and illegal fishing, and the ubiquitous problem of marine litter”.

Each of the screenings, which are free of admission and start at 21:30, ends with a “brief conversation” between the audience and a panel made up of filmmakers, environmentalists, fishermen and researchers.

“It is important that people can discuss and learn more about the themes presented in the films, and we strive to have people on the panel who can bring different points of view and answer the public’s questions,” says Nicolas Blanc.

According to information on its website, Sciaena is a non-governmental organisation that aims to “promote a healthy marine environment through the promotion of sustainable forms of exploitation, the population’s involvement and political intervention”.