The fourth Women in the Seafood Industry video competition organised by WSI is open for entries between now and the 2nd July next year.
‘This gives entrants six months to shoot a short, sharp video and to highlight the contribution of one or several women in any segment of the seafood industry. The winners will be announced in the first week of September 2020,’ said Marie Christine Monfort of WSI.
Last year the FAO made use at the World Fisheries Sustainability Symposium in November of five of the videos entered in previous competition to illustrate the role of women in the seafood industry.
‘Women are in many circumstances ignored, invisible and consequently often unrecognised,’ she said.
‘Thus this fourth Women in Seafood WSI video competition made possible thanks to the technical support of MATIS, Iceland and sponsorship by the French Development Agency (AFD). 2019 was a real success with 32 entries from all over the world.
In the 2019 competition the first prize went to Spanish film Women of the Arousa Sea, described by judges as ‘Touching, strong, positive, with context and showing diverse angles of women at sea.’
The second prize went to Oyster farming in Wadatar, a film made in India and described by judges as ‘An honest account too of challenges and a very clear story. So much was offered to the viewer in such a short amount of time,’ while third prize went to Peruvian film the Aquaculture women of Lake Arapa, examining trout farming in the Andes at 3000 metres above sea level.
Positive effects
Participating to the video competition produces multiples positive impacts, according to Marie Christine Monfort.
‘It shed lights on the contribution of women in the seafood industry, a role which often stays invisible. It offers to working women engaged in the video a unique opportunity to explain and share their experiences. Last but not least it helps them to be heard and recognised by the surrounding community, including authorities,’ she said.
‘Anyone can participate – individuals, women and men, collectives and institutions, schools are invited to send short videos (under 4 minutes) describing the life of woman in any segment of the seafood industry.’
A jury from around the world comes together to select the three best videos, with a €1000 prize for the winner and €500 prizes for the two runners-up. Taking into account the high quality of most entries, WSI has decided to designate four additional winners who will receive a non-monetary prize.
