GREEN FILM CITIES: EMPOWERING SUSTAINABLE CREATIVE CITIES

Explore the project

About the project

A cross‑city program to embed sustainability in film and creative industries, led by Bitola and Sarajevo.

The Green Film Cities project enhances collaboration between Bitola and Sarajevo—both UNESCO Creative Cities of Film—to promote green solutions and sustainable urban development through the film industry.

Gender representation is ensured by actively encouraging participation of women in all activities.

It leverages city networks to exchange knowledge, raise awareness, and implement sustainable practices.

Objectives

01

- Promote Sustainability

- Promote sustainability and eco‑practices across film and creative sectors.

02

- Boost knowledge exchange

- Boost knowledge exchange between Bitola and Sarajevo.

03

- Engage young filmmakers

- Engage young filmmakers in green production methods.

04

- Produce a policy brief

- Produce a policy brief with actionable recommendations.

Primary target groups

- Film and creative industry professionals

- Young filmmakers

- Policymakers in Bitola and Sarajevo

Goals

Awareness and education

Workshops, seminars, and campaigns to increase knowledge of environmental impacts and inspire behavior change.

Capacity building

Hands‑on exchanges for young filmmakers and AV professionals to adopt eco‑friendly methods.

Policy advocacy

Supportive policies and incentives to embed green standards in film.

Research and data

Surveys and interviews to map practices, barriers, and progress.

Conclusions of panel discussions in Sarajevo

Barriers identified

  • Low awareness of sustainability and CO₂ impacts in film and creative sectors.
  • Only one feature in North Macedonia (“Stela”) filmed with eco‑standards.
  • Lack of funding to reduce audiovisual carbon footprints.
  • Insufficient production data per City of Film.
  • Sustainability not consistently prioritized in procurement.
  • Perception that green production is expensive.

Our approach

Exchange and networking with UNESCO Cities of Film—Galway, Potsdam, Terrassa, and others—to transfer proven green practices and overcome logistical and budget hurdles.

Urban impact

Greening film production in Bitola and Sarajevo advances inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities, reigniting cooperation in the UNESCO Creative Cities of Film network.

Partners

Bitola Film Center

Obala Art Center Association from Sarajevo

Associates

Municipality of Bitola

Associate institution supporting sustainable cultural and film development.

City of Sarajevo

Established in 1984 to promote cultural, artistic, and educational programs. Founded the Sarajevo Film Festival in 1995; runs year‑round film distribution, an art‑house cinema, production, and media education.

Brochure 2025 – International Forum Bitola

Brochure pdf

This web page is prepared for the project “Green Film Cities: Empowering Sustainable Creative Cities” supported by UNESCO, through the “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (CC4WBs) project, funded by the European Union. The project is focused on fostering dialogue in the Western Balkans by enhancing the cultural and creative sectors for increased socio-economic impact. Over a 48-month period, the CC4WBs project aims to improve the performance of the cultural and creative sectors in order to enhance skills, knowledge, access to financial aid to increase competitiveness and sustain co-production and circulation of goods and services in the Western Balkans.

Scroll to Top