Bruce Parry, the presenter of Tribe and Amazon, and Franny Armstrong, director of The Age of Stupid, are among the judges of ‘One Minute to Save the World’ — a competition for short films about the issues surrounding climate change.

“Multinationals and their advertising agencies have long known the power that a short film can have,” explains Jessica Dunlop, the competition director. “We decided to harness this medium to raise awareness and to pressure governments into meaningful action.”

Entrants are being asked to use whatever recording equipment they have to film their ‘short’ and are also being encouraged to make it personal. “Anyone, anywhere, who has access to the internet, can take part, either by producing a one minute film or by voting online for their favourite entries,“says Jessica.

After the close of the competition, a wider campaign will continue, to rally public and political support in the lead up to the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference. Furthermore, international partners, such as Greenpeace, the World Development Movement, The Guardian and the New Economics Foundation, will assist by broadcasting the winning entries around the globe.

Films from three of the finalists will feature at a special screening during the Copenhagen conference. The campaign is set to persist until countries meet their carbon emission targets.

Films must be no more than 1 minute long.
The winner will receive £1,000.
Closing date: October 5th, 2009.
Contact: Emma MacGregor,
6 Purves Road, London, NW10 5SU
Website: www​.1minutetosavetheworld​.com

Bruce Parry, a co-judge of ‘1 Minute to Save the World’ and a marmoset, who isn’t. Photo: courtesty of Bruce Parry