sustainability & impact
A MORE RESPONSIBLE FESTIVAL
The Nordic Film Festival: Los Angeles is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its operations, encouraging responsible practices among its partners and suppliers, and using film and conversation to advance a more sustainable and inclusive screen industry.
Our approach brings together environmental responsibility, cultural exchange, accessibility and community impact. We will measure our progress, report honestly on our results and strengthen our commitments as the festival grows.
OUR APPROACH
SUSTAINABLE FESTIVAL OPERATIONS
We are working to reduce unnecessary consumption, waste, transportation impacts and energy use throughout the festival.
Our priorities include digital-first communications, limited printing, reusable materials, reduced single-use plastics, responsible hospitality and careful selection of venues and vendors.
FILM, STORYTELLING & INDUSTRY
The festival will explore sustainability both on screen and behind the camera.
Programming may include films, panels and conversations addressing sustainable production, climate storytelling, environmental change, land and oceans, Indigenous knowledge, responsible innovation and the future of the screen industry.
Our planned Sustainability in Film panel will bring together filmmakers and industry voices to discuss practical progress, emerging ideas and the power of storytelling to shape how audiences understand the future.
NORDIC AND SÁMI PERSPECTIVES
The Nordic region has long contributed to international conversations about environmental policy, responsible design and sustainable innovation.
The festival also recognizes the importance of Sámi perspectives and the relationship between environmental stewardship, Indigenous knowledge, land, cultural continuity and responsible representation.
Our goal is to present a range of perspectives rather than suggest that there is one uniform Nordic experience of sustainability.
OUR 2026 COMMITMENTS
For the 2026 festival, we intend to pursue the following practical commitments:
• No festival-purchased single-use plastic water bottles
• A predominantly plant-forward opening reception
• Digital-first schedules and festival information
• Limited and intentional printing
• Public-transit information for festival events
• Shared transportation for visiting guests where practical
• Reusable or recyclable signage wherever possible
• Sustainability expectations communicated to vendors
• A sustainability panel and related film programming
• Basic measurement of travel, hospitality, printing and waste
• Accessibility and community-access initiatives
• A post-festival Sustainability & Impact Report
RESPONSIBLE HOSPITALITY
For receptions and festival hospitality, we will aim to prioritize plant-forward menus, local and seasonal ingredients when practical, reusable service ware, water-refill options and careful attendance planning to reduce food waste.
We will also seek responsible food and beverage partners that share these goals.
VENUES, ENERGY & TRANSPORTATION
We will favor venues that are accessible by public transportation and that demonstrate responsible practices in energy, waste and accessibility.
Festival communications will encourage public transit, carpooling and shared transportation. We will work to reduce unnecessary travel between venues and offer remote participation when international travel is not essential.
MATERIALS & WASTE
Our approach is digital first and print intentionally.
We will aim to minimize disposable signage, plastic gift bags, unnecessary promotional products and excessive packaging. Reusable, durable, recyclable and locally produced materials will be favored whenever practical.
Recycling and composting claims will be based on the waste systems actually available at our venues.
ACCESSIBILITY & COMMUNITY
A sustainable festival must also be inclusive and socially responsible.
Our priorities include accessible venues, clearly communicated accessibility information, captioned films whenever available, community ticket opportunities, a respectful festival environment and meaningful participation from communities across Los Angeles.
MEASURING OUR PROGRESS
The festival intends to track a focused set of first-year indicators, including:
• Attendance and community participation
• Sustainability-related films, panels and speakers
• Invited travel and hotel stays
• Printing and material use
• Plant-forward hospitality
• Single-use plastic reduction
• Waste information when available
• Accessibility services
• Local vendor participation
• Community ticket distribution
• Sustainability-related sponsorship and in-kind support
After the festival, we intend to publish a concise report describing what we accomplished, what we were able to measure and where we need to improve.
PARTNER WITH US
We welcome partners interested in helping build a more responsible festival and screen industry.
Partnership opportunities may include:
• Sustainability Program Presenting Partner
• Sustainability in Film Panel Partner
• Sustainable Hospitality Partner
• Clean Mobility Partner
• Water Refill Partner
• Sustainable Production Partner
• Community Access Partner
Partners may receive appropriate recognition through the festival website, program materials, event signage, public communications and the post-festival impact report.
Sponsorship supports the work but does not determine the festival’s editorial or curatorial decisions.
AN EVOLVING COMMITMENT
We view sustainability as an evolving practice—not a one-time claim.
The 2026 festival will establish an achievable foundation. Each year, we intend to evaluate our progress, improve our practices and set more ambitious goals.
For sustainability partnerships and inquiries, please contact us:
Tina Jøhnk Christensen
Tina@NordicFilmFestivalLA.com