The Thessaloniki Film Festival always aims to host stories that address urgent environmental issues of global impact. But it also acknowledges its own environmental footprint. Capitalizing on the experience and knowledge gained from the Evia Film Project, it remains as committed as ever to taking steps towards greener and more sustainable practices, in order to reduce its negative impacts on the environment and raise awareness about the global pathway for a transition to sustainability.
Having adopted a long-term holistic approach, the Festival teamed up with a specialized advisor in the spring of 2023, who is assigned with the task of shaping the environmental policy and strategy for the sustainable management of the institution’s activities. Moreover, the Festival has commissioned a carbon footprint analysis study, as well as an energy efficiency report of its venues and buildings. The study will include a set of recommendations and will serve as the basis for an overall action plan that will improve the environmental performance of the Festival across its operations. In addition, staff members, partners and collaborators have been offered a series of training seminars, while the Festival now has a designated Green Officer, as well as a cross-departmental Green Team (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
TiDF is also a co-signatory of the Green Charter for Film Festivals, a European initiative of the Festival Network MIOB. By registering, festivals commit to “follow a progression path to lower the pollution generated by our activities and be in a constructive attitude toward our environment and the respect of people involved.” The Charter includes a carbon assessment tool, via which data on energy, transportation, food, waste, etc. is submitted and measured for each festival event, with the possibility to compare environmental performance over time.
In the framework of the Festival’s environmental policy, the 26th TiDF will strive to make progress towards these long-term sustainability goals, in the hope that it will also inspire audiences and participants – both during the festival and beyond. In this edition, we welcome you as our sustainability partners and as active citizens to join us in our effort to become as green and sustainable as possible.
HERE ARE SOME THINGS WE CAN DO TOGETHER:
TRAVEL
Think about your arrival to and departure from the festival. When you can, opt for walking, cycling or car-pooling, which can be quicker, more practical, and beneficial for our health, plus also lower on carbon emissions. Mass transportation options are available too.
SINGLE-USE PLASTICS
We are continuing our effort to avoid single-use plastic. If you have a single-use plastic water bottle, you can recycle it at our plastic recycling stations.
WATER CONSUMPTION
We encourage you to use your own reusable water bottle or the reusable cup made available across the festival venues, where you will also find installed several water coolers.
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
We have limited our festival promotional materials, mindful of the energy consumption required to recycle them, and the environmental footprint they entail. As in the previous edition, this year too you will have a “merch drop-off” option at Warehouse C. If you don’t want it, return it! More and more of our printed materials are printed on FSC certified environmentally friendly paper, and will be recycled or repurposed at the end of our activities. Instead of throwing paper away, recycle it!
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
We are relying as much as possible on reusable cutlery and products. Opt to buy and consume seasonal and local food and beverages, available at all venues during the duration of your stay in Thessaloniki. Along with minimizing the energy spent on transporting materials, you can help strengthen the local economy and diversify your experience!
WASTE MANAGEMENT
The 26th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival is widening its network of sustainability associates, in order to embed circular thinking in its waste management processes during the event. In collaboration with the VIPA GREECE S.A., a circular waste management company; InCommOn, a civil non-profit company that promotes sustainable development as a response to challenges in urban areas; and Cigarette Cycle, a civil nonprofit company, there will be a daily collection, sorting, and circular management of the waste generated from all the event across the festival venues. You will find separate recycling bins for paper, plastic, glass, aluminum, cigarette butts and organic waste. Additionally, all coffee residue from the cinema snack-bars and any food leftovers from the AGORA lunches will be collected daily and placed into special storage bins. Along with the rest of the produced refuse these materials will be transferred to each company’s waste management facilities to be weighed, recorded and will then be responsibly recycled, composted or gain a second life. The Festival receives reports on all materials collected and how they were utilized.
Sustainable Waste Management Collaborators
