A conversat­ion about exploring food through film with Nourish Nova Scotia

Over the last 10 years or so we have advocated for provincial funding to expand school breakfast programs; supported schools to deliver billions of quality breakfast meals annually through our provincial network of partners; coordinated and delivered tens of thousands of boxes filled with local produce to help schools to raise funds for their own food programs and support the local food economy; advocated for a Pan-Canadian Universal School food program through grassroots engagement and collecting youth stories as well on what they want to see from a National School Food program; and established a Grow Eat Learn garden program to lay the groundwork for sustainable food gardens in schoolyards and community spaces.

Nourish has had a relationship with Devour! The Food Film Fest since the beginning. Our founding Executive Director was deeply connected with something called the Slow Food Movement alongside the folks at Devour. Our film challenge was a great way to connect both Nourish’s and Devour’s priorities and hear youth perspectives on food. CBC, with their connection to media and support for the arts, were a logical extension of the partnership and were thrilled to provide connections, videography expertise, and the youth prize package. Both Devour and CBC sit down with us each year to watch the submissions and help us pick a winner. We really appreciate having those partnerships.

The story of this land, part of Mi’kma’ki, the unceded traditional ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq, is one that can't be told without discussing water. We are on a peninsula, and so we are nearly surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, but we've also got tons of freshwater lakes, wetlands, and overall, some of the most unique and diverse bodies of water, like the Bay of Fundy and the Bras d’Or Lakes. So much of the food and general culture in this province can be tied to water. We chose the theme as an effort to provide an opportunity to share culture, but also reconnect with the water and the land that we rely on and share that connection with others.

My advice would be to submit a film about a topic that truly interests you. This is a contest, sure, but the film isn't for us, it's for you to explore what matters to you. That might be exploring your food culture through a recipe, looking at the climate impacts of food waste, or going out with your loved ones and collecting food from the water or from the land around you. Whatever your passion is, that is what is going to shine in the film.

One important thing is to make sure that we can clearly hear and see everything that you want to convey. Think about your filming environment— is it too windy or sunny or hear or see your film? Often, if you need certain equipment, you can borrow it from your local library or a school.