Promoting Sustainability in UK Independent Film Production: The Independent Film Sustainability Handbook
The BFI, BBC Film, and Film4 have joined forces to create the Independent Film Sustainability Handbook, a resource aimed at promoting sustainability in the UK independent production sector. The handbook offers practical guidance on reducing environmental impacts in low- to mid-budget features, focusing on areas such as travel, materials, and temporary power. It also emphasizes the connection between cost efficiencies and environmental responsibility, providing tools for planning ahead and collecting data for Bafta Albert certification.
To support sustainability efforts, the BFI is offering up to £6,000 per film in funding for features receiving production finance from the BFI Filmmaking Fund to hire a dedicated sustainability consultant. Going forward, fiction features supported by the Filmmaking Fund will need to budget for a sustainability assistant role to implement sustainability practices on set. While projects backed by the UK Global Screen Fund’s international co-production funding are not required to follow these guidelines, the Handbook aims to help the UK production industry move towards net zero carbon emissions.
Developed in collaboration with Picture Zero, a sustainability services provider for the film and television industries, the Handbook has been tested on recent BFI, BBC Film, and Film4 productions. These projects explored ways to reduce environmental impact through measures such as emissions reduction, supplier scrutiny, circularity practices, sustainable catering choices, and improved data capture. The positive outcomes of the pilot program have highlighted the benefits of integrating sustainability practices into film production.
Keir Oldfield-Lewis, head of environmental sustainability at the BFI, emphasized the importance of prioritizing sustainability on set, following the formalization of sustainable production in new National Occupational Standards. Tori Parry, head of production at Film4, expressed hope that the Handbook will serve as a valuable resource for producers looking to create more sustainable productions. The collaborative effort between industry peers aims to benefit the UK film industry and promote positive outcomes for future productions.