Filmy moments of significance

Filmy moments of significance
The American Film Institute (AFI) in choosing the "March of The Penguins" as this year's "moment of significance" has commended participation in a community as a high priority in the age of distant relationships. The institute every year, through its "Moments" awards recognizes filming
merits, trends, anniversaries or even technological, educational and preservation developments that have a bearing on art film, television and digital media.

The French-made documentary film made it to the top grade by capturing in its visual and audio message "the need to be part of a community that cares for each other". Amongst the other films considered alongside that reacted to the post September 11 world included George Clooney's "Good Night and Good Luck" and "War of the Worlds".

While AFI did observe a decline in US cinema going it noted that TV shows were significantly migrating to portable players. The video iPod introduced by Apple and one minute drama "mobisodes" for mobiles by Twentieth Century Fox were testament to this trend. The launch of the broadband network In2TV that carries video-on demand via the Internet widened the possibilities for
viewers as did access to the Live 8 benefit concerts with internet coverage.

TV reporting of Hurricane Katrina received an equally special place among these trends, after being credited for casting "a spotlight" on the contradictions between reportage and realities "in their living rooms". As much as the decimated Gulf Coast and lives became a world issue, the reality
of an underclass in the dreamland of America was exposed. Reporters literally turned participants in the rescue efforts and TV was the way for those in trouble to get the help they need, quickly.

The studio wars and the mergers were also moments of import as a means of consolidation in Hollywood with Dreamworks becoming a part of Paramount and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer of Sony. With this inclusion, the maverick founded studios became a part of a larger, more powerful and artistically wealthier
set up. That consolidation could yet respect history and cultural legacies or promote creative spirit is itself a new development.

The AFI jury comprising of 13 leading personalities from the academic, artistic and critical world made their selections, while the AFI trustees discussed and debated the choices over two days for the final decision. The objective was therefore to identify the significant events that occurred
that would shape world and identify relevant TV and film media symbolism. The two sets of juries convening in Los Angeles presented their final choices for the year.