Cuban actor, director, and artist Jorge Perugorría is feeling excited for the premiere of the International Film and Environment Festival of the Caribbean Isla Verde. The festival is set to take place from May 31 to June 5 in the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud. The director, who began his career with the character of Diego in the Cuban film “Strawberry and Chocolate,” is using this initiative to showcase environmental challenges in the Caribbean. The first edition of the festival won’t be competitive but will give honorary awards to two notable figures in the film and environmental industry.
Perugorría announced that the festival’s billboard will include the projection of works carried out in Cuba with the Antonio Núñez Jiménez Foundation, dedicated to environmental preservation. The versatile Cuban actor is putting much effort into the festival, saying that they will plant 3,000 pine trees to offset the carbon footprint generated by the event. Furthermore, the festival aims to turn the forest into the “pine forest of cinema,” an action that they plan to do every year.
One of the notable highlights of the festival is the environmental education program aimed at children, adolescents, and young people. The festival’s director stated that they will be advised by Cinema Planeta, an organization with extensive experience in this area. The program aims to showcase films and then educate the participants on conservation efforts.
To cap the festival, it will close on June 5, World Environment Day, with a concert by Cuban troubadour Silvio Rodríguez. Perugorría envisions this festival as a movie whose result will be for Isla de la Juventud and Cuba.
