University of Fiji to premiere documentary “Drua: A Beacon of Discovery” at FestPAC in Hawaii today

The University of Fiji will be premiering its documentary, "Drua: A Beacon of Discovery" at the Pacific Arts Festival (FestPAC) in Hawaii today.

The 30-minute documentary shows the use of the University's Drua, the 'I Vola Siga' in climate disaster participatory research in the villages located in the vicinity of the Saweni Campus.

The University says the documentary emphasizes the holistic educational approach to student and staff engagement in climate change mitigation and adaptation using traditional local knowledge.

While speaking about the world premiere, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Fiji, Professor Shaista Shameem, who is also the lead researcher in the Drua Project, says the film was made to document the University's climate change research process and outcomes.

Shameem says the film, produced by the University and Pasifika Communications, was of such high quality and interest that it was entered into the film festival section of FestPac being held in Hawaii currently.

She says the opportunity to have the world premiere before the Fiji premiere came as a suggestion of renowned Rotuman filmmaker Professor Vilisoni Hereniko, who is based in Hawaii.

She adds the University entered its film at the last minute and was elated when it was accepted as the requirements were stringent.

Shameem says the Fijian audiences will be able to attend the Fiji premiere on June 24th at the Saweni Campus and June 25th at the Samabula Campus to mark International Seafarers Day.

The University says they hope to have the film available to wider audiences by showing it on television as well as making a copy available to schools through the Ministry of Education.