In a time of human history that is troubled and confused, it is a delight to learn that all over the world there are hundreds of inspiring projects aimed at overcoming challenges and improving people’s lot. And the more so that there are scores of competent writers and film makers determined to share those stories with us.
Where governments seem at best to lack focus and determination, and at worst are at war against the best interests of their own citizens, communities and passionate individuals are making a positive difference, trying to save their world – our world.
Film festivals and awards provide important platforms for these storytellers. The entwining of sustainability themes and the filmmakers’ art is encapsulated by the Global Sustainability Film Awards (GSFA), held this past month in London and now (2023) in its 12th year.
The value of such awards is not that there are winners – judges often accept that several films may have nearly equal merits – but that they offer an accessible channel of international exposure for projects and films we might otherwise never hear about. Small independent producers have the chance to compete head to head with experienced production houses, total newbies against multi award winning directors.
Film is reckoned to be one of the most effective means of engaging people’s hearts and minds and this year’s entries demonstrated just that. These are films that expound the movie maker’s art while simultaneously telling an important environmental story. Here are a few highlights from this year’s category winners.
‘Sagarmatha Next’, directed by National Geographic Explorer and photographer Martin Edström, is about a groundbreaking team of sherpas and locals coming together to solve a massive problem of the build-up of waste and plastic inside one of the world’s most famous national parks: Mt Everest. It’s a great example of self-help coupled with ‘crowd sourcing’ a solution: tourists themselves are recruited as ‘downhill sherpas’ carrying their own waste back off the mountain.
WWF, the RSPB, the National Trust and Silverback Films came together to produce four films for businesses inspired by the BBC’s nature documentary series ‘Save our Wild Isles’. Leveraging incredible footage of natural Britain, business leaders and experts including Deborah Meaden (Dragon’s Den Investor), Tony Juniper CBE (Chair of Natural England) beseech businesses and organisations to help to solve the major issues that have caused such a great loss of wildlife and biodiversity. The film’s call to action asks our leaders to immediately halt to the destruction of UK nature and take urgent action for its recovery.
From the makers of ‘Kiss the Ground’ (Netflix), comes a follow-up documentary ‘Common Ground,’ recipient of the Tribeca Film Festival 2023 Human/Nature Award. Sobering yet hopeful, ‘Common Ground’ exposes the toxic interconnections of American farming policy, politics and health, by sharing stories of destruction and healing across the United States and beyond, and how regenerative agriculture and soil health plays a vitally important role in changing these systems for the better. The film is directed by Josh and Rebecca Tickell, who have created a number of bold and inspiring environmental films, winning awards along the way.
‘We Share’ uses the colourful art technique of animated sand painting to showcase the Tianqi Lithium corporation’s social responsibility practices in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The sand painting brings to light the company’s ‘ESG insights of lithium’.
Filmed over four years of hope and crisis, ’To The End’ captures the emergence of the movement behind the most sweeping climate change legislation in US history. Award-winning director Rachel Lears follows four exceptional young women – Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, activist Varshini Prakash, climate policy writer Rhiana Gunn-Wright, and political strategist Alexandra Rojas – as they grapple with challenges of leadership and power, fight to shift the narrative around climate, and work together to defend their generation’s right to a future. From street protests to the halls of Congress, ‘To The End’ gives audiences a front seat view of history in the making.
Beyond these ‘tip of the iceberg’ winners lay a raft of runners-up and special mentions.
‘Our Gorongosa’ features Dominique Gonçalves, a young African elephant ecologist who shares the inspiring story of how Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park is becoming a new model for wildlife conservation and community development in Africa. By bringing long-term health care, agricultural support and girls’ education to surrounding communities, Gorongosa is redefining the identity and purpose of this beautiful park. This is a story of hope: hope that Africa’s wildlife can coexist and survive alongside its human neighbours. It’s an important message for conservation because, in reality, both depend on each other to survive and thrive.
‘No Water No Village’ is part of a series by Franz Böhm featuring filmmakers from Pakistan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Nepal. The roof of the world, from the Pamirs of Central Asia to the Karakoram and Himalayas, is the Earth’s largest repository of ice outside the poles, and it’s melting. Increasingly frequent mountain disasters have put billions of lives at risk and threaten endangered wild species like the Snow Leopard. Low snowfall and receding glaciers threaten livelihoods. The film features scientists and activists working for local solutions.
‘Older than Trees’ follows marine biologist James Lea in his mission to halt the loss of shark species which are being over-exploited and sold into markets around the world. James uses his expertise as a scientist, coupled with the resources of the Save Our Seas Foundation, to protect sharks in places where they still have a chance to thrive. This film, with its stunning visuals and sound, is another masterpiece from Pippa Ehrlich, the co-writer, editor and director of ‘My Octopus Teacher’, South Africa’s first Netflix Original documentary. That film received more than 20 international awards including an Oscar and a BAFTA.
Over 25 years ago, with the help of the local farmers in Niger, Australian agronomist Tony Rinaudo started a conservation farming system known as Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). FMNR is the management of existing tree stumps and roots that still grow even in degraded landscapes. Thanks to the protection and care of the shoots through a specially crafted methodology, the original tree population can be regenerated, creating forests without additional planting by activating the residual underground root systems. In ‘The Forest Maker’, a documentary by German Academy Award winner Volker Schloendorff, Tony explains that his method is ‘embarrassingly simple, but I’m not ashamed because it works!’
In a hot Sicilian summer, where water is rationed, Emma is given a lemon plant. It’s a challenge for her to be able to quench her plant’s thirst. But her resourcefulness enables the tree to thrive, which inspires her as she grows up to devise a natural and innovative system of water reuse in her community. ‘Drops of Dew’ (Gocce de Rugiada), by Italian directors Gianpaolo Gelati and Alessandro Melchionda is a delight to watch.
So what is it that constitutes a compelling film? Production quality is important but no-one cares much what equipment you used or the size of your budget. It’s all about story and structure, stunning visuals, uplifting sound, an engaging character, a smile, a tear, and a message of hope.
It’s an art that can save the planet.
NOTE TO EDITORS
The tve Global Sustainability Films Awards (GSFA) recognise outstanding films from the business, non-profit, media and creative sectors that inspire audiences with real-world solutions for a more sustainable future. Main sponsor United Living embeds sustainability into its business model. See tve.media.