The SalvaPastores™ Film Awards were created to raise awareness, dignify, and give greater value to the profession of being shepherd and milk producers (goat, sheep, cow, buffalo...), as well as the fundamental role they play in the sustainability of the land, food production, and the preservation of cultural and environmental traditions.
This initiative stems from the SalvaPastores™ project, spearheaded by Michele Buster, co-founder of the international company Forever Cheese, who throughout her career has championed artisan and iconic cheeses and specialty foods from Spain, Italy, Portugal and Croatia.
The aim of the awards is to change the social perception of how this profession is perceived, one that has often been associated with negative stereotypes or a profession left to those who had no other alternative, showing its true dimension:
-Modern and qualified professionals.
-Entrepreneurial and independent individuals, capable of managing their own projects.
-Guardians of the land and biodiversity.
-Intelligent, resilient, and committed workers.
-Everyday heroes of the rural world.
Closely associated with the slogan,"Es la leche" underscores in a symbolic way the importance of milk and all of the products that derive from it , remembering that ‘ No milk, No Cheese’ and without milk producers there is no future for the countryside.
"Without milk there is no cheese, and without shepherds and farmers there is no future for the countryside."
The SalvaPastores™ Awards also aim to:
-Encourage generational succession in this field.
-Redefine the role of the shepherd and farmer, making it more appealing and attractive.
-Inspire new generations of young people to consider this as a profession
-Disseminate technological & scientific innovation applied to modern dairy farming
-Highlight the relationship between agriculture, gastronomy, sustainability & culture.
-Promote respect for rural life and natural ecosystems
Film and audiovisual media thus become fundamental tools for telling these stories and changing the narrative about the rural world.
The ceremony will be held as part of the cultural and film event A LA LUZ DEL CINE (In the Light of Cinema).
ORGANIZING ENTITY
The SalvaPastores™ awards are organized by "La Silla de la Vida" Cultural Association
C/ Don Quijote, 21
45700 Consuegra
Toledo, Spain
The association is responsible for the call for entries, organization, selection, and presentation of the awards.
Official email address for the competition: premiossalvapastores@gmail.com
OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM SELECTION
This competition highlights the art of making Short Films and is open to filmakers from around the world.
The works submitted must focus on the role of shepherds, small or medium sized farms, or other related figures in the pastoral world, as well as the values, challenges and realities linked to this profession.
The short films should reflect from a narrative, documentary or creative perspective, some or all of the following aspects:
-The life and work of shepherds & milk producers
-The importance of the pastoral sector in the production of food, especially milk and its derivatives.
-The relation between humans , animals, the land and “terroir”.
-The preservation of landscape, biodiversity and the natural ecosystems relating to extensive farms.
-Generational Succession and the future of the rural world with special attention to attracting young people to the profession.
-Innovation, Technology, Applied sciences in modern dairy farming on a small and medium scale.
-The social, cultural and human value of the profession as a way of life and heritage for generations.
-The works should contribute to showing a current, realistic and positive vision of the sector, highlighting the role of shepherds and milk farmers as professionals integral to society, the enviornment and food culture.
