The IDRC video collection is the product of the Centre's research activities in the developing world. The videos document efforts of researchers in the South to find their own long-term solutions to pressing development problems. Their stories inform the global research community of advances being made in development research and help to raise awareness of development issues.
To view the titles in the collection click on the subject links below.
Title: Foodlinks (1995) Length: 5 min. (English and French) Topic: A promotional video for the Foodlinks Program Initiative at IDRC focusing on new products from developing countries and expanding markets. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Goldfinger : Video News Release (1994) Length: 4 min. + 5 min. of B-reel footage Topic: The breeding of the environmentally-friendly Goldfinger Banana in Honduras which is resistant to a number of diseases that plague banana production worldwide. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Seeds of change (1994) Length: 24 min. Topic: Biodiversity and food production : a look at the complexities of global food issues and the role farmers play in maintaining our food supply. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: China Canola : News Release Clips (1994) Length: 7 cuts - approximately 6 min. of footage Topic: Footage of canola growing and processing in China. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Rattan : the Hidden Resource (1989) Length: 18 min. Topic: The place of rattan in Asian culture and economy and how it is being threatened by clear cutting of forests in Asia. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Social Forestry in Botswana (1988) Length: 12 min. Topic: Maintaining woodlands and propagating appropriate species of trees through comprehensive strategies involving local populations. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Paulownia (1987) Length: 20 min. Topic: A look at research in China into Agricultural systems involving intercropping with Paulownia trees. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Bamboo : the Miracle Grass (1987) Length: 21 min. Topic: The versatile bamboo plant and measures to increase production and quality. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Trees of Plenty (1987) (Also available in Spanish: Arboles de la Abundancia) Length: 20 min. Topic: Integrating leguminous trees into farming systems to increase productivity and prevent soil erosion. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: An End to Pounding (1986) Length: 15 min. Topic: The invention of a grain dehuller by Canadian and African researchers and its use for sorghum in African mills. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Trees of Hope (1985) Length: 18 min. Topic: Documents rapid deforestation in the Sahel, Africa and analyses various solutions. Dist: The International Development Research Centre and the National Film Board of Canada
Title: Harnessing the Monsoons : Improved Cropping Systems in Asia (1982) Length: 27 min. Topic: Documents how researchers and farmers in Sri Lanka are working together to improve cropping systems and rice yields. Dist: The International Development Research Centre and the National Film Board of Canada
Title: Pods of Protein (1979) Length: 23 min. Topic: The work being done in Africa to improve cowpeas. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: When the Harvest is Over (1978) Length: 33 min. Topic: The proper handling and storage of maize. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Education
Title: African Discovery (1994) Length: 57 min. Topic: A profile of two eminent African researchers; Dr. Thomas Odhiambo in Kenya and Dr. Lydia Makhubub in Swaziland whose research has been guided by the firm conviction that development in Africa can be led by science. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: The Gender Agenda (1991) Length: 24 min. Topic: Three theatre vignettes, based on situations in developing countries, are used to define and explain the concepts of Gender and Development (GAD). Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Project IMPACT: the Overview (1982) Length: 28 min. Topic: An innovative educational program that addresses the particular problems of mass primary education in Southeast Asia. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Project IMPACT: the System (1978) Length: 37 min. Topic: An innovative educational program that addresses the particular problems of mass primary education in Southeast Asia. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Green Ticket (1996) Length: 52 min. Topic: Explores the role of tourism in nature conservation - and environmental degradation. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Losing the land (1996) Length: 52 min. Topic: Looks at land ownership and the consequences of land degradation in Kenya. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Iwokrama International Rain Forest Programme (1995) Length: 20 min. Topic: An introduction to the Iwokrama International Rainforest Programme in Guyana, South America, focusing on an integrated approach to the conservation and utilization of of rainforests. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Coral Grief (1994) Length: 56 min. Topic: The destruction of coral reefs in the Caribbean and their importance to marine ecological systems. Dist: The International Development Research Centre and TV Ontario
Title: Latin America : the Thirsty Cities (1993) (Also available in Spanish: America Latina : Ciudades Sedientas) Length: 55 min. Topic: Issues surrounding access to water in four Latin American Cities: México City, Buenos Aires, Lima and São Paulo. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: The Shape of Things to Come (1989) Length: Part 1 - 9 min., part 2 - 6 min. Topic: Part 1 - A discussion of development, "the predicament of mankind", and a global approach to world management. Part 2 - A look at rice farming systems in Bali and a discussion of the failure of modern farming methods there and the virtues of appropriate technology - "eco-wisdom". Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Fisheries and Aquaculture
Title: Buying Time : an Insurance Policy for Aquatic Biodiversity (1994) Length: 18 min. Topic: A discussion of the importance of Aquatic biodiversity and habitat protection and efforts to preserve genetic diversity in fish through gene banking. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: The Mysterious Milkfish : Increasing Yield through Research (1986) (Also available in Spanish: Misterioso Chanos Chanos : al Aumento de su Producción Mediante la Investigación) Length: 27 min. Topic: The milkfish aquaculture industry in the Philippines and how milkfish can be bred in captivity. Dist: The International Development Research Centre and the National Film Board of Canada
Title: Fish By-Catch... Bonus from the Sea (1980) Length: 13 min. Topic: How Guyana has developed a successful fishing industry and is making use of the by-catch from shrimp trawling. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Oyster Farming in the Tropics (1979) (Also available in Spanish: Cultivo de Ostras en los Tropicos) Length: 28 min. Topic: An instructional film on the cultivation of oysters. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Health Sciences
Title: Video News Release : Impregnated Bednets Save Children's Lives (1996) Length: 4 min. 15 sec. + B roll and additional clips Topic: The use of insecticide-treated bednets in the fight against malaria. The dramatic results of studies in Kenya and Ghana, published in April 1996 in the European journal; Tropical Medicine and International Health, are highlighted. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Communities Responding : the Leishmaniasis Challenge (1996) Length: 9 min. 30 sec. Topic: Control strategies and approaches for combatting the spread of the parasitic disease, Leishmaniasis, with a focus on Costa Rica, Tunisia and India. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: All we Expect : Nutrition; a Basic Human Right (1995) (Also available in Spanish: Como es de Esperar : la Nutrición; un Derecho Humano Fundamental) Length: 24 min.; 1 guide Topic: Explains the significance and adverse effects of micronutrient deficiencies for women, and highlights solutions being used around the world. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Neurocysticercosis in Mexico : a Holistic Strategy for Prevention and Control (1994) Length: 10 min. Topic: A review of an IDRC project in Mexico to pursue a holistic strategy for the prevention and control of neurocysticercosis. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: At Risk (1989) Length: 15 min. Topic: This film examines the AIDS crisis and its effect on six youths from around the world. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: A Handle on Health (1986) (Also available in Spanish: Artisania de la Salud) Length: 27 min. Topic: The introduction of simple, durable hand pumps puts access to safe drinking water into the hands of village people. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Prescription for Health (1983) (Also available in Spanish: Agua y Salud) Length: 23 min. Topic: An instructional film showing the path of diseases such as typhoid, cholera and dysentery, and the importance of hygiene. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: A Message from African Healers (1980) Length: 25 min. Topic: An examination of the crucial role of traditional healers in rural areas of many developing countries. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Rural Health Workers (1977) Length: 25 min. Topic: The provision of accessible, low-cost health care in several developing countries. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Pâa-Noi : the Village Midwife (1975) Length: 15 min. Topic: A program in Thailand to upgrade the medical skills of village midwives. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Information Systems
Title: One Hand for the Sea : Satellite Remote Sensing and the Chilean Fisheries (1995) Length: 6 min. Topic: Satellite Remote Sensing and the Chilean Fisheries. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Thought for Food (1977) Length: 14 min. Topic: A look at AGRINTER, the regional agricultural information system for Latin America and the Caribbean. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Science and Technology
Title: Knowledge without Borders (1993) Length: 17 min. Topic: An introduction to Canada's International Development Research Centre highlighting some of its many development success stories. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Generous Fog (1993) Length: 17 min. Topic: A description of IDRC's fog - water collection technology and its impact on a remote, and previously desolate village in Chile. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Hope for a Better Tomorrow (1992) Length: 7 min. Topic: A description of IDRC's fog - water collection technology and its impact on a remote, and previously desolate village in Chile. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Footholds (1984) (Also available in Spanish: Paso a Paso) Length: 29 min. Topic: An investigation into rural technology in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and Paraguay and how small-scale farmers in South America are struggling against the influence of large corporate landowners. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Choices : the Role of Science and Technology for Development (1980) (Also available in Mandarin) Length: 28 min. Topic: A global look at development research and an examination of how developing countries are playing an increasingly active role in managing their own affairs. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Series
African Journey, 1990
A story as inspiring and colourful as the country in which it is set. The journey of discovery of a Canadian teenager through the African landscape. Six half hour episodes shot entirely on location in Zimbabwe, starring an outstanding cast of teenage stars from Canada, Africa and Europe.
Titles: Brothers; Chasing a Dream; Deadly Business; One World to Share; Price of a Bride; Under One Sun
Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Changing Worlds, 1990
(13 half hour programs)
The result of 10 years of meticulous documentation of successful, small-scale development projects in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Thirteen half-hour programs look at a broad range of indigenous solutions to the problems of education, malnutrition, food production, disease, natural disasters, and child health around the globe. The programs incorporate footage and are based on a variety of IDRC films.
(1) Two Steps Forward based on: An End to Pounding and Social Forestry in Botswana
(2) Gentle Solution based on: Harnessing the Monsoons
(3) Planting Knowledge based on: Social Forestry in Botswana
(4) The Plight of the Small based on: Thought for Food and Footholds
(5) Breaking New Ground based on: Thought for Food and Footholds
(6) After the Harvest based on: When the Harvest is Over
(7) Impact on Education based on: Project IMPACT: the Overview & Project IMPACT: the System
(8) A Handle on Health based on: A Handle on Health
(9) Health Worker based on: Rural Health Workers and A Message From African Healers
(10) Food From the Sea based on: Fish By-catch, Bonus from the Sea
(11) The Mysterious Milkfish based on: The Mysterious Milkfish
(12) The Multipurpose Miracles based on: Rattan : the Hidden Resource and Bamboo : the Miracle Grass
(13) Trees of Plenty Based on: Trees of Plenty
Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Developing Stories, 1992
Commissioned by the Television Trust for the Environment for the 1992 Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro, this powerful series was directed by six of the best film-makers in the developing world. They are in native languages and subtitled in English.
Title: Lucia : the Philippines - directed by Mel Chionglo Length: 59 min. Topic: The powerful human drama of a Filipino family's struggle to stay together after their village is devastated by an oil spill and they are forced to move to the slums of Manila. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Rabi : Burkina Faso - directed by Gaston Kaboré Length: 60 min. Topic: A West African fable about a boy and a tortoise and how concern for the environment is inextricably bound up with respect for culture and the community. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Life and Debt : Brazil - directed by Octavio Bezerra Length: 47 min. Topic: A shocking documentary exploring the tortuous links between Brazil's external debt and the killing of street children. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Seeds of Plenty, Seeds of Sorrow : India - directed by Manjiri Datta Length: 60 min. Topic: An investigation of the darker side of the Green Revolution. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon : Trinidad & Tobago - directed by Christopher Laird & Anthony Hall Length: 60 min. Topic: An irreverent look at the way satellite television beamed in from the USA is destroying local culture in the Caribbean. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Suspended Dreams : Beirut - directed by Mai Masri and Jean Chamoun Length: 48 min. Topic: A Beirut community's struggle to rebuild their lives and their shattered environment after sixteen years of civil war. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Environment Series, 1991
Public opinion in many countries is increasingly linking environmental damage with human health problems, with economic and societal dislocation, and even with threats to international security. This television series, linked to the BBC's Open University course on environment, investigates what people around the world are doing to solve the environmental problems that face them.
Title: Valued Environments : Environmental Values Length: 50 min. Topic: The history of the cultural concept of "wilderness". Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Forest Futures Length: 50 min. Topic: An investigation of tropical forest management in South East Asia with reference to a national park project in Malaysia that is being threatened by logging companies. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Living with Drought Length: 50 min. Topic: Strategies to halt the environmental degradation that leads to drought. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Bangkok : a City Speaks Length: 25 min. Topic: Pressures faced by one of the fastest growing countries in the world. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: No Place to Hide Length: 25 min. Topic: The history of the acid rain problem in North-West Ontario. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Danish Energy Length: 25 min. Topic: How Denmark has led the way in the development of non-polluting energy sources. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: The Heat is On Length: 25 min. Topic: The global warming controversy. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
Title: Walk Softly on the Earth Length: 25 min. Topic: Highlights the problems and achievements of international co-operation on environmental issues. Dist: The International Development Research Centre
To purchase videos contact the following distributor:
Precision Transfer Technologies Inc. 22 Hamilton Avenue North Ottawa, ON, Canada K1Y 1B6
The cost of each video is $19.95 CAD for NTSC copies in North America. Shipping and handling are included. Payment can be made by Visa, MasterCard or certified cheque. Orders outside of North America are $34.95 CAD including shipping and handling. Specify the VHS tape format required e.g. NTSC, PAL or Secam.
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) needs your help!
Please help us improve our website by completing this three-minute survey.
We greatly appreciate your time and value your feedback.
