On Tuesday evening, we were delighted to win in our category the 2020 Charity Film Awards.
Scottish Environment LINK, a coalition of more than 35 Scottish conservation and environmental groups and charities worked with Maramedia to create the stunning film This is Scotland to highlight a worrying statistic that was first revealed in the 2017 report Where the Green Grants Went Scotland. This report highlighted a massive funding hole for the nation’s conservation efforts. This is despite Scotland being home to some of the UK’s most spectacular and critically endangered natural heritage. The report found that only 29% of grant giving foundations operating in the UK gave grants to environmental causes in Scotland.
The winning film, This is Scotland, highlights that just 5 per cent of available UK charitable grants go to protect Scotland’s nature. First launched in Edinburgh with some of Scotland’s most influential funders, winning the 2020 Charity Film Awards takes the message much further.
The Charity Film Awards celebrates the effective use of video by the third sector to change mindsets, raise awareness for the charity or fundraise.
65,000 people took part in the public voting stage to determine the shortlist. The Charity Film Awards panel of expert judges, which includes high profile names from entertainment, business, politics and media. The winners of the Charity Film Awards 2020 were announced in a virtual gala ceremony on Tuesday 21 April.
Celebrity Ambassadors for Charity Film Awards include; Mariella Frostrup, Quentin Willson, Jason Bell and Chris Warburton.
Dr Deborah Long, LINK’s Chief Officer, said: “We wanted to use our film to show everyone just how amazing Scotland’s environment and nature is. Now more than ever we know that nature makes us feel better – we are so pleased our film is reaching and inspiring people. What the film makes clear though is that we stand to lose so much if we fail to invest in its conservation and restoration. Without support and investment, our environment and the nature that lives there cannot continue to provide the wellbeing and livelihoods we depend on. This was really urgent before the Covid-19 pandemic and is just as urgent now. Reports at home and internally reflect ongoing decline in biodiversity, here and across the world, and the closing window we have to halt the loss and restore our landscapes and, habitats and species. This film reminds us all why Scotland is so special, why it’s a fantastic place to live and visit and what we stand to lose without coordinated and concerted effort. Thank you to everyone who voted for it and all those who supported it.”
Simon Burton, Co-Founder of the Charity Film Awards said: ‘In the digital age, charities’ use of video is fundamental to engage the hearts and minds of their communities. Scottish Environment LINK’s film is a great example of that in action.”
Watch our film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv2BBjBEBlc&t=3s
ENDS
Editors’ Note:
Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment organisations, with over 35 member bodies representing a range of environmental interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally sustainable society.
This is Scotland was developed by a partnership of Scotland’s leading environmental organisations including National Trust for Scotland, RSPB, RZSS, Scottish Wildlife Trust, WWF Scotland and Woodland Trust Scotland, thanks to support from Scottish Environment Link, Turcan Connell and Maramedia.
This is Scotland can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv2BBjBEBlc
The Where the Green Grants Went Scotland report is available here:
https://www.greenfunders.org/where-the-green-grants-went-scotland/
The Charity Film Awards celebrate the very best films and videos that have been created by registered charities and CIC’s within the UK. For more information visit www.charityfilmawards.com