Reel Green: Sustainability and Storytelling Across Four Cinemas at the 56th IFFI

Here’s a structured summary of the panel discussion “Reel Green: Sustainability and Storytelling Across Four Cinemas” at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI):

Theme & Context
- Focus: How sustainability intersects with cinema, culture, and conscience.
- Participants: Filmmakers and producers from India, Japan, Spain, and Australia.
- Moderator: Naman Ramachandran, journalist and film critic.

Key Perspectives
India – Nila Madhab Panda
- Highlighted cinema’s carbon footprint.
- Advocated for certification systems to recognize sustainable efforts.
- Emphasized that smaller films can more easily adopt green practices.

Japan – Mina Moteki
- Pointed out challenges for low-budget productions in adopting eco-friendly measures.
- Mentioned gradual cultural shifts toward energy-saving and resource management.

Spain – Anna Saura
- Stressed sustainability as a creative responsibility.
- Introduced Spain’s Green Film Certification system, guiding eco-friendly practices in catering, equipment, and logistics.

Australia – Garth Davis
- Focused on storytelling’s power to influence environmental awareness.
- Shared practices of leaving filming locations untouched or improved.
- Proposed linking production incentives to environmental accountability.

Shared Insights
- Youth as Drivers of Change: Recognized as key advocates for eco-conscious filmmaking. - Practical Strategies: Minimizing waste, reusing costumes, preferring real locations over constructed sets. - Global Collaboration: Panelists encouraged cross-country knowledge exchange to strengthen sustainable practices worldwide.

Takeaway
The session reinforced that sustainability is not just a technical guideline but a mindset. Cinema can be both impactful and responsible, inspiring audiences while protecting the planet.