The global problems arising from the ecological crisis are among the most urgent agenda items of our time. Sustainability efforts developed to adapt to this situation and mitigate the impact of the crisis are crucial. In addition to current challenges, risks and predictions about the future related to the climate crisis require the involvement of all economic sectors and segments of society in adaptation and mitigation efforts.

EkoFilm: Sustainable Production Platform presents a roadmap to promote environmental sustainability practices in filmmaking and enhance social awareness by harnessing the industry’s potential for impact. EkoFilm: Sustainable Production Platform was created as part of the project titled “Connect 4 Environmental Sustainability in Film and the Media,” supported by the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships Programme and the Connect4Innovation: UK-Turkey Higher Education Institutional Partnerships Fund. Since November 2023, the project is carried out in collaboration with Cappadocia University Environmental Humanities Center, the first and only Environmental Humanities Center in Turkey, and Brunel University London, which is an educational partner of the BAFTA albert Consortium, a leading institution in film and sustainability globally. The project is supported by the YAPIMLAB education platform founded by producer Zeynep Atakan and the Atlantik Film production company led by director Reha Erdem. In February 2024, another supportive partner has been added to the project: Yuvam Dünya Association, which has been conducting various community benefit projects and social awareness studies for climate crisis awareness.

The primary goal of the platform is to spread eco-friendly practices in the film and TV industries while raising awareness about the climate crisis. The project involves creating training sessions for students, educators, and professionals on environmental sustainability practices. Additionally, it aims to develop sustainability guidelines specifically aimed for Turkey’s film industry. The guidelines designed for instructing sustainable practices in film production and content development will be made available online with open access in May 2024. The pilot training sessions are scheduled to take place during the 2024-2025 period.