We’ve all been there. A film, a documentary, or even a short video stops you in your tracks and makes you see the world a little differently. Stories are powerful. They can shift perspectives, spark movements, and inspire change. But here’s a question we at Film Division have to ask ourselves every day: what if the very act of creating that inspiring story is part of the problem?
The truth is, traditional filmmaking can have a massive environmental cost. Making a video about protecting nature isn’t much good if the production leaves a trail of carbon emissions and waste. That’s why we believe sustainable filmmaking is so critical. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s a complete philosophy that rethinks both how we create and what we create, ensuring our films help the planet in both practice and purpose.
Founder Profile: Film Division
We are Film Division, and we create powerful video content that supports changemakers—from charities and conservationists to renewable energy pioneers. Our work is more than video production; it’s about building a sustainable future, and designing a user experience that results in a measurable positive action from a target audience.
Before you can tell a convincing story about changing the world, you need to make sure you’re not making it worse. The film and TV industry has a dirty secret: its carbon footprint is huge. According to the screen industry’s sustainability authority, Albert, a single hour of TV production in the UK creates an eye-watering 9.2 tonnes of CO₂.
Practice What We Preach: The ‘Sustainable’ Part
So, how do we fix it? For us, it’s about making smart, common-sense choices.
The biggest impact comes from travel, so our golden rule is to hire local crews. This cuts down on flights and long car journeys, while also supporting local economies and talent. We also embrace a circular mindset, prioritising second-hand gear over new equipment and using public transport wherever possible.
Yes, films might take a little bit longer to produce and cost that little bit more in the budget, but the cost of doing nothing is far greater.
But perhaps the most important step is asking one simple question before every project: Is this story worth the carbon it will cost to tell? It’s a high bar, but it ensures our work always serves a genuine purpose.
Tell Stories That Are Worth Telling: The ‘Filmmaking’ Part
Cleaning up our production process is only half the battle. The real power of sustainable filmmaking lies in its ability to change hearts and minds, and that means we need to get much better at telling the climate story.
For too long, the narrative has been driven by scary data, complex reports, and a general sense of doom. This approach doesn’t work. It makes people feel powerless and anxious, causing them to switch off. We are emotional beings who make decisions based on feelings, not just facts. Carbon is an invisible, abstract concept; a cleaner, healthier, more vibrant community is something we can all feel and desire.
That’s where great storytelling comes in. Instead of just showing the problem, we need to show a version of the future that people want to live in. A future that isn’t just about ‘less carbon’, but is about ‘more life’ – stronger communities, better health, and a real connection to the world around us. It’s about creating stories that are personal, relatable, and hopeful. We also have to be brave enough to reach out to those who have been influenced by disinformation. Not by shouting at them, but by finding common ground. By showing, with empathy, how a sustainable future aligns with the values we all share—like security, family, and freedom.
A Better Process for a Better World
Ultimately, sustainable filmmaking is about alignment between the filmmaker and the person footing the bill. It’s the belief that the way we create something should reflect the message we’re trying to share. It’s about combining a low-impact process with a high-impact story. By making our productions cleaner and our stories more human, we can turn video from a simple communication tool into a genuine force for good, creating content that doesn’t just raise awareness, but inspires the action our world so desperately needs.
