Spanish filmmaker wins first IFAD COPEAM Award at Sicilymovie - Festival del Cinema di Agrigento

Rome, 26 July 2021-  “Beyond the Glacier” – a short documentary which addresses the impact of climate change and human activity on fishing communities in Kazakhstan - has taken a top prize at the Sicilymovie, with Spanish director David Rodríguez Muñiz receiving the first 2021 IFAD COPEAM Film Award today.

“This film highlights the impact of climate change on the lives and livelihoods of fishing communities, and has given a voice to rural people who are so seldom heard,” said Dina Saleh, Director of the Near East, North Africa, Europe and Central Asia Division (NEN) at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). “Documentaries play a critical role in creating awareness that leads to action, so that we can build sustainable food systems and resilient rural communities.”

The award was created by IFAD and COPEAM  a network of Mediterranean Broadcasters to highlight the challenges facing rural communities living in the Mediterranean and NEN regions.

The winning film highlights the conflict surrounding water resources in Central Asia, and the impact of climate change and human activity on fishing communities on the Naryn and Sir Daria rivers.

The runners up were “Wrapped in Plastic” directed by Rocco Muraro, and “Los Ojos de la Tierra” directed by Marcos Altuve Marquina.

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Press release No.: IFAD/43/2021

IFAD invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience. Since 1978, we have provided US$23.2 billion in grants and low-interest loans to projects that have reached an estimated 518 million people. IFAD is an international financial institution and a United Nations specialized agency based in Rome – the United Nations food and agriculture hub.