Like other events of this magnitude, the Festival generates a carbon footprint. We are committed to minimising it, so we are changing our habits and introducing green solutions to make the Festival greener.

Like film producers who implement green filmmaking principles, we create environmentally-friendly solutions for the Festival and the Gdynia Film Centre. We also became the signatories of the ‘Culture for Climate’ declaration – a grassroots initiative for the green functioning of cultural institutions.

1. New festival packages

• We reduce the number of printed Festival catalogues, turning them into a limited collectable edition. We opt for electronic publishing for wide distribution.
• We significantly reduce the number of printed promotional materials of our sponsors and partners included in Festival packages and replace them with advertisements displayed on screens and boards.
• We make information materials, such as the catalogue and programme, available online. They can be downloaded by scanning QR codes.
• We replace disposable Festival gadgets with reusable souvenirs.

2. Less plastic and litter

• Thanks to our co-operation with the Water and Sewerage Company in Gdynia, all Festival guests and audience members can drink water from dispensers set up at Grunwaldzki Square, right next to the Musical Theatre and the Gdynia Film Centre.
• We encourage Festival participants not to buy drinks in plastic bottles and cups, offering them an attractive alternative. Owners of Festival bidons can enjoy discounts on drinks and baked goods and the opportunity to refill their containers with tap water at partner cafés (listed below)
• During all festival events, such as press conferences and industry meetings, water is served exclusively in jugs and glass bottles
•  Audience members can download tickets for Festival screenings to their phones. We do not require paper tickets.
• We make the Festival programme available in an app.
• We make the elements of the Festival set design, decorations and equipment of sustainable materials so we can reuse them in future editions.

3. Waste recycling

• All waste collected at the Festival site is segregated and recycled
• There are bins in all Festival venues where you can dispose of your accreditation or pass once it’s used up. We will give the collected cards to a company that will recycle the plastic for reuse.

 

4. Sustainable transport

• The Festival fleet of hybrid cars guarantees emission-free driving in urban areas.
• Guests visiting Gdynia are encouraged to use public transport and forgo domestic flights.
• Most festival venues are located at a small distance, allowing participants to move between them on foot.
• We provide free festival buses for visitors and audiences during the festival.
• We promote alternative, ecological means of transport: Festival partner Kino Polska has prepared free bicycles to travel between the Festival venues. Our bicycle stations are located in two spots: at the Gdynia Film Centre (Grunwaldzki Square 1) and at the entrance to the Riviera Shopping Centre (Kazimierza Górskiego 2).

5. Promoting environmental solutions

• We are keen to encourage Festival participants to act together for the environment, as reflected in a film spot promoting ecological solutions, screened in cinemas during the Festival and on social media..
• We spread information about the high quality of Gdynia tap water and promote its consumption among Festival participants and city residents.
• In the spirit of preserving cultural heritage for future generations, we present digitally restored Polish feature films, documentaries and animations.
• Vegetarian lunches are provided for the Organising Office staff during the Festival period. Meals are served on reusable dishes or in biodegradable boxes.

6. Responsible partnership

• When selecting the Festival’s patrons and co-organisers, we choose companies that pursue a policy of minimising the environmental costs of their activities.
• By using the services of local entrepreneurs, we reduce the carbon footprint and support the Gdynia economy.

We are convinced that real results can only be achieved through conscious, systematic, and long-term action. Acting once in a blue moon is not enough. Therefore, our changes go beyond the Festival week and accompany our team throughout the year. We introduce them at the Gdynia Film Centre, the headquarters of the Festival Organising Office and the Pomeranian Film Foundation in Gdynia, the producer of the Festival.

1. We save water

Photocells are installed in the taps at the Gdynia Film Centre to dispense water. Aerators limit the water flow.
A special installation recovers water from the sinks for flushing toilets.

2. We save electricity

In the offices of the Gdynia Film Centre, we use less electricity with equipment of high energy efficiency class and multifunctional devices.
We switch off computers and other devices when not in use.
We eliminate unnecessary consumption of electric light: instead of standard light switches, toilets and the car park have motion sensors.

3. We do not waste paper

We have significantly reduced paper printing.
We respect the paper we use: we use double-sided printing.
We reuse printed materials such as posters and catalogues in our workshops.
We encourage audience members to purchase tickets for the GFC Arthouse Cinema and the Festival as electronic files, without printing.
We give cinema posters removed from display to our audience.

4. We avoid plastic

We have replaced plastic cutlery and crockery with reusable alternatives or those made from biodegradable materials.
We have reduced the purchase of mineral water and drinks in plastic bottles. Our employees and colleagues have access to filtered tap water.

5. We promote the zero-waste approach

In our team, we willingly and systematically exchange everyday items and clothes in good condition, so they can serve longer instead of being thrown away.
We integrate zero-waste workshops into educational activities for children and young people.