Holy Trinity Cannes hosts Ecumenical Service for the Film Industry

An international jury of Christian film critics has given an award to one of the films shown at Cannes this year, and have held an ecumenical service in the Anglican Holy Trinity Church in Cannes to celebrate the potential contribution of film to human and spiritual values.

It was the first time in the 29 years the service has been held that the English-language Anglican Church has hosted it. The chaplain, the Revd Peter Anderson, welcomed the congregation in French and the service itself was conducted in French.

An ecumenical and international jury of six people is appointed each year to award a film for both its artistic merit and also on the human and spiritual values portrayed by its imagery. They chose "A cinq heures de l'apres midi" made in Afghanistan by 23 year old Samira Makhmalbaf. It tells the story of a young Afghan family discovering the tension between the traditional and modern worlds in which they live. It focuses on women and their role in building for the future.

The ecumenical service at Holy Trinity was intended to give a worship opportunity to all involved in the film industry. It was attended by church leaders from Roman Catholic, Church of England, Lutheran, and Greek Orthodox churches, as well by as civic leaders from Cannes who provided a buffet afterwards. The members of the Jury each read a prayer, and the address was given by an Egyptian Coptic priest.

Details about the award and film can be accessed at http://juryoecumenique-cannes.cef.fr