Images in Attendance to Energy

Once widely in the hands of the authorities, the world of energy is now playing an increasing role in private economy. In a sometimes chaotic manner, as Californian consumers of electricity and shareholders of Enron have painfully experienced, but also with flexibility and great adaptability, following the example of the opening of the European markets.

More than ever, energy specialists have to explain what they do. The essential mission to inform is has to rely on the use of all available media. To illustrate a subject which is both complex and daunting at first sight, the moving image remains a priority. Small and big electricity, gas, coal and renewable energy companies produce films. However creativity is also greatly present: while some privilege information and training, others give free rein to their imagination. This has resulted in the production of most inventive films, in which energy, even if not brought to light totally, takes on a more subtle form.

This demonstrates how the Energy Film Festival Lausanne is a unique event of its kind in the world, and maintains all its usefulness by gathering and by rewarding the most remarkable productions publicly.

The 2003 edition will take place on April 3rd and 4th at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Lausanne Federal Polytechnic School). This choice emphasizes of the importance we attach to education and research in the fields of energy and the environment. A festival has to be a unifier. We intend to mobilize as many participants as possible involved with the great international world of energy, the importance of which will never be stressed enough for the future of our societies.

This is the reason why we accompany the projections of the selected films with a course of high standard conferences entitled «Energy for Humanity». Speakers from several countries will evoke the stakes and the energy challenges to come. The point will notably be to remind people that energy is not an end in itself, but that it is plays a part in major socioeconomic developments. Make sure you attend the events on April 4th, with presentations by different professors from prestigious higher education institutes and managers of important energy groups.

The televisual part of the festival which was inaugurated during the last edition, met indisputable success. We intend to continue by organizing a competition of advertising spots on energy once again. Besides the economic and technical aspects, this part of the festival gives us the opportunity to evaluate the newest and most modern advertising forms of expression, with a strong international presence.

The Energy Film Festival Lausanne is an major event as well as a meeting place for creators, thinkers and directors. The 2003 edition coincides with the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. This will give us the opportunity to truly demonstrate our solidarity with the world of education and research.

Suzanne Buffat Director of the Energy Film Festival Lausanne