With reports out of Standing Rock about the DAPL filling news feeds on global social media sites, and people powered planetary protection happening in just about every nook and cranny of the world, average citizens from farmers to doctors, are being compelled to fight battles they never imagined they would need to.
Local artivist filmmakers Cloudcatcher Media spend much of their time documenting these struggles and were themselves compelled to create a short animation as a response to those who would if they could, but didn’t know how.
Citizen to Activist is the work of a very small team of artists along with David Lowe and Eve Jeffery who produced, directed and edited the clip.
With voice overs from Davey Bob Ramsey and Jane Foggon put together by Luke Vassella and a fantastic soundscape from Paul Robert Burton, the clip is the sketch art work of the incredibly talented Peter Gibson.
A not-so serious guide to becoming an activist, using the example of the Australian fight against unconventional gas and coal mining, Citizen to Activist, or as it is affectionately known C2A, has been travelling the film festival circuit for almost a year with national and international screenings.
C2A has had great success with audiences from every quarter enjoying the film, as well as some wins at film festivals including a place at the Noosa International Film Festival and winning the jury prize for best film at Byron All Shorts.
Everyone involved with the film gave tirelessly and freely of their time and energy. David and Eve felt that with no money made or exchanged in the making of the film, it was destined to be a part of the Creative Commons, so C2A has one more gift to give – the film has just been released on several platforms for free public viewing.
‘With NGOs being hamstrung by fears of losing tax deductibility, the ABC under the hammer and much of the the private media increasingly owned by mining interests, it’s up to citizens to educate and uplift one another,’ says Cloudcatcher David Lowe.
‘This is why we’re giving this film away for free.’
It is hoped that citizens will watch and share the film and gain strength and hope from its message as we step one more day into the fray.
You can view the clip on YouTube, Vimeo or on Facebook.
