Filming their own story – Fairtrade farmers create a climate change video

Farmers of Kavokiva, a cocoa farm in Cote d’Ivoire, leaped at the opportunity to create a film through which they could share their story on the impact of climate change on their daily lives.

11 cocoa farmers showed their interest in working on the project, which was rolled out by InsightShare UK, Fairtrade Africa and Fairtrade Foundation. During the first days the prospective directors discussed which environmental issue they wanted to address in the movie and learned the practical ropes on how to make a documentary. Although two professional film makers facilitated the training, the farmers drove the filming process – they opted for deforestation as the key topic, chose the film locations, shot all the scenes, recorded the sounds and in the end edited the film.

But this is not where the project ended. With great pride the farmers/filmmakers showed their final movie to the larger community, which was the start of a very dynamic discussion.  The farmers became aware that they had a tool in their hands which made them active participants in the climate change advocacy debate. With their mobile phones they began sharing the film with members of the larger community and beyond. More screenings are planned at other occasions, while they are also looking into sharing their story with development partners and even government officials.

Not only has the experience made these farmers agents of climate change and sparked a renewed interest to explore avenues for nature conservation, they have also become reliable, enthusiastic recorders of experiences in their local community.

The project as a photo story: Click here

The farmers’ movie (17 min): Click here