Culture
Environmental Filmmaker Discusses Unique Work
By: Tom Hodson
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Sean Peoples makes unique films.
They are not designed to entertain; instead they are created to put human faces on complex issues.
They’re not feature-length; most average around 10 minutes each.
Peoples uses his films as “conversation starters” for stakeholders on major international policy matters concerning conservation, health, livelihood and security issues.
Instead of isolating his focus on just one issue, Peoples tries to integrate multiple societal issues through telling stories of people’s lives. The people reflect the complexity of the issues they face in daily living.
“People’s lives are not isolated,” he said. “Instead, people’s lives are integrated. People face multiple problems and multiple issues every day. My films try to convey that complexity.”
Peoples is a filmmaker with the Environmental Change and Security Program at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington and a collaborator with the award-winning Think Out Loud Productions. He uses his films to get policy-makers to focus on complex issues around the globe.
Recently, he has created award-winning films focusing on people in Tanzania, India, Nepal and Ethiopia. During his career he has worked on over 400 films.
Peoples brings three of his films to Athens this week at the College Town Film Festival. They will be shown at the Athena Cinema on Friday, Oct. 17 at 5 p.m., followed by a discussion.
Now in its second year at the Athena Cinema, the College Town Film Festival is dedicated to promoting independent films and generating discussion between academic and local communities. For more information, including a complete schedule, visit www.collegetownfilmfestival.com.