Lights, Camera, Sustainability: Transforming Film Production for a Greener Future
The panel aims to discuss real-world industry challenges and opportunities in film production and guide industry professionals in adopting green practices and reducing CO2 emissions while lowering production costs. Through the conversation, we will explore current best practices in energy conservation, transportation, accommodation, catering, production design, waste management, recycling, and how to obtain green certificates. Discover how we can collectively transform film production into a sustainable endeavour, fostering a positive impact on the environment and our industry as a whole.
SPEAKERS
LOUISE MARIE SMITH
CEO and Founder, Neptune Sustainability / UK
LENA WEISS
Producer and CEO, Glitter and Doom GmbH & Co KG / AT
MIHA KIRN
Head of Procurement and Green production filming, Pro Plus d.o.o. / SI
MODERATED BY
Garret Patrick Kelly
Sustainability Advisor, Sarajevo Film Festival / BA
TIME
Tuesday, August 15th, 2023
09:30 – 11:00 (CET)
LOCATION
Hotel Europe Atrium
Louise Marie Smith
Louise's academic background is in science and resource management, with a Biology (Hons) BSc at the University of Hull (2002) preceding an MSc in Aquatic Resource Management at King's College London (2003.) Following several years working within an interdisciplinary Environmental Consultancy producing Environmental Impact Assessments for a variety of industries, Louise established Neptune in 2006. By 2011, Neptune's client focus shifted to the film and television industry and following two years of research into the workings of the industry, life on set, and the resulting environmental and climate impacts of production, she began work on her first studio feature in 2013. She spent a year with the BBC working on rolling out Albert to independent production companies and building it into the BBC commissioning requirements. She was also an advisor for the Grid Project with Film London and the British Film Commission's Stage Space Design Strategy, Seeing the first zero-emissions Voltstack battery on a feature film NO TIME TO DIE (2021).
Lena Weiss
Lena Weiss studied in Brazil, Italy and finally at the Vienna Film Academy (Master of Arts in Production), where she produced many award-winning short films. She worked as a freelance production manager, producer and author for cinema and TV. In 2017 she set up the production company Glitter & Doom based in Vienna, soon joined by Eugen Klim. The feature documentary NORA’S ARK (2020) premiered at Max Ophüls Preis, and the psychological horror film SMOTHER (2023) was just released in Austrian cinemas. Currently, she is developing several cinema and TV/streaming projects as a producer and creator. She is active in film politics and advocates for young producers, women in film and sustainability in film.
Miha Kirn
Miha Kirn is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience spanning over 15 years in procurement and international business. He has made significant contributions to the company by spearheading the integration of green production practices in internal and external productions. As an ESG ambassador of Pro Plus, Miha plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability initiatives, and he is also a valued member of an international group entrusted with designing and implementing our company's comprehensive ESG strategy.
Garret Patrick Kelly
Garret P. Kelly recently advocated for and led the successful bid for the City of Sarajevo – East and West - to be selected as one of the EU’s 100 Net Zero Mission Cities. He is now a coordinator for that 3€billion transition. Also, as the Sustainability Advisor to the Sarajevo Film Festival, leading the transition of the SFF to Net Zero, executed a baseline GHG inventory for the SFF in 2022. He is BAFTA award-winning producer for the Scottish documentary FINDING FAMILY (2013) and is committed to and passionate about Irish film and culture. He founded both Belgrade Irish Festival and the Sarajevo Irish Festival. Garret has 25 years of progressive leadership experience from UN Ambassador, & UN NZEB Global Champion to Brussels-focused Climate Change Think Tank Director, managing resource portfolios aimed at transition to low carbon zero systems, ranging from 30M€ to 3B€ and has long-standing board room experience.