The Regional Director for Youth, Bruno Pacheco, stressed the importance of initiatives that encourage the spirit of initiative among Azorean youngsters during the presentation of the PANAZOREAN International Film Festival held at the Teatro Micaelense this morning.

The Festival, which is organised in joint partnership with the Regional Government, is part of an international, national, regional and school competition. For the Regional Director for Youth this is initiative is of utmost importance as it allows Azorean youngsters to participate in this type of initiatives that stimulate both competition and creativity.

In order to encourage competitiveness and creativity as a means of individual improvement and development, the Government of the Azores, through the Regional Director for Youth, has developed the "Labjovem" competition whilst supporting and promoting project, such the "Põe-te em Cena" (Show yourself) programmed," added Bruno Pacheco.

The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Directorate for Youth, supports these initiatives that stand out for their difference such as this film festival, held for the first time in the Azores.

"PANAZOREAN, through the theme" Migration and Interculturality"
contributes to personal development while encouraging and raising awareness for cinematic arts," said the Regional Director for Youth.

Access to "PANAZOREAN FILM FESTIVAL" was made easier by the Government of the Azores, through the Regional for Youth. Holders of Interjovem Card will benefit from a 50% discount on tickets for individual sessions, day pass and free transit passes. They will also have access to all sessions and festival activities and free admission to workshops; the latter are specifically targeted at students.

This initiative pioneer in the Region is organised by AIPA -Azores Immigrant Association and will take place at the Teatro Micaelense between April 14 and 21.

34 feature films and short films from more than 10 countries will be exhibited in this film festival, including competitive and non competitive sections.

"PANAZOREAN FILM FESTIVAL" was created with the purpose of exhibiting films that reflect on the issues of global migration and intercultural levels in a globalised and globalising world, contributing to the promotion of intercultural dialogue at regional, national and international level and encouraging the development of film production that focuses on the issues of migration and interculturalism.