Environmental Policy

Following several green initiatives in 2021 and 2022, TFF has now adopted a comprehensive environmental policy, which supplements and re-contextualizes the overall cultural mission and the values of the organization, in response to the major challenge of our times, the climate and environmental crisis.

This policy constitutes our commitment to join global efforts towards a sustainable future, support the goals of the Paris Agreement and of the EU Green Deal, contribute to Thessaloniki’s role in the “EU mission: 100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities”, and comply with Greek environmental legislation and the country’s climate targets.

• TFF’s environmental policy is overseen by the General Director and coordinated by the Festival’s assigned Green Officer, in collaboration with the Festival’s newly formed cross-departmental Green Team (greenteam@filmfestival.gr).
• Since spring 2023, the Festival employs the services of an expert consultant on sustainable cultural management, for the design of the organization's environmental policy, strategy and action plan and their effective implementation.
• TFF’s environmental policy is being detailed and systematized into an action plan, meant to constitute an integral part of our administration, daily operations and overall organizational culture.
• The action plan will be regularly revised and re-evaluated and will continue to reflect and support our environmental ambition over the coming years, as we will strive to achieve our goals: understand and minimize our environmental impacts, implement new policies and modes of work across our activities and operations, reduce the organization’s carbon footprint.
• TFF has commissioned a carbon footprint analysis and energy audit of its venues and operations (throughout the year and during the festival events) to the Process Equipment Design Laboratory (PEDL) of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The study is underway, while its results and recommendations are expected to be submitted to TFF and presented to staff members and stakeholders before the end of 2024.
• The study will further inform TFF’s environmental strategy and action plan and will also provide the basis for environmental certifications according to international standards.
• Through this process, the organization is now systematizing the collection and analysis of relevant data, i.e. regarding energy and water consumption, waste management, procurement of services/food/materials, travel and transportation etc.
• TFF is a co-signatory of the Green Charter for Film Festivals, a European initiative of the Festival Network MIOB. By registering, festivals commit to “follow a progression path to lower the pollution generated by our activities and be in a constructive attitude toward our environment and the respect of people involved”. The Charter includes a carbon assessment tool, where data on energy, transportation, food, waste etc. are submitted and measured for each festival event, with the possibility to compare environmental performance over time.