Green Film Future: India, Spain Lead Sustainability Charge

Industry leaders from Japan, Spain, Australia, and India convened at the International Film Festival of India's "Reel Green" panel, advocating for systemic reform and cultural shifts to advance sustainable filmmaking practices. They stressed that environmental progress necessitates both top-down initiatives and a deep-seated change in industry traditions and daily habits, moving beyond mere practical adjustments.

Spain has implemented a policy requiring productions to obtain sustainability certification for public funding, underscoring the impact of mandatory guidelines. Meanwhile, concerns were raised about the rapidly increasing energy consumption of artificial intelligence, with calls for investors to prioritize green energy sources for data centers. Addressing entrenched practices, such as excessive working hours and printed scripts, was identified as crucial for healthier and more sustainable production environments.

Across the board, filmmakers shared practical strategies like utilizing natural locations, donating costumes, repurposing sets, and adopting digital workflows to minimize waste. The consensus was that while the film industry is in the nascent stages of embracing sustainability, a collective effort toward mandatory standards, cultural evolution, and conscious daily practices will pave the way for a more environmentally responsible future.