The Green Club and the Sarajevo Film Festival, with the partnership and support of UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina, organized the international conference “Climate Change – Challenges of Future Prosperity.”
The conference was held at the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and was opened with greetings from Saša Magazinović, Member of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH and President of the Green Club, Renaud Meyer, UNDP Resident Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Jovan Marjanović, Director of the Sarajevo Film Festival.
It was an opportunity, in the context of the 31st Sarajevo Film Festival as one of the largest cultural events in the region, and with the presence of members of parliaments and green parliamentary groups from the region, cultural workers, representatives of the executive and legislative branches, leaders of private and public companies, the diplomatic corps, international organizations, NGOs and activists, to discuss the consequences of climate change and the necessity of regional and broader cooperation on concrete activities for environmental protection.
“Humanity has never defeated nature. Power is something that gives us the strength and possibility to speak about the things that matter: about climate and climate change, and the impact they have on our lives. The Sarajevo Film Festival is not just a film event, but a platform from which the voice carries loud and far. We still have not found a balance between our economic stability and living in harmony with nature. This conference is an opportunity to realize a vision and idea of the future and sustainability, of a way for culture, politics, science, and activism to be together in the same mission – only through united forces can we change what is happening when it comes to sustainability,” said Magazinović.
“The Sarajevo Film Festival is not just about film and entertainment, but also a strong platform for conveying messages of social importance – recognizing culture and film as drivers of social change. It goes beyond cinematography itself, enriching all the accompanying initiatives and processes that develop around it. Our role as UNDP is to support such initiatives, to be a partner to decision-makers, and to build solutions together for the greatest climate challenges of our time. I am especially encouraged that this year’s conference gave space to young people, through a panel that highlights their key role in connecting local initiatives with global climate solutions,” said Meyer.
As part of the conference, a panel was organized on the role of youth in decision-making processes related to environmental protection. This panel was held within the framework of the Dialogue for the Future 3 initiative, jointly implemented by UNDP, UNICEF, and UNESCO on behalf of the United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in partnership with the Presidency of BiH and the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH, with financial support from the UN Peacebuilding Fund.
Sarajevo Film Festival Director Jovan Marjanović pointed to the Festival’s concrete activities regarding sustainability:
“As one of the largest cultural events in this part of Europe, the Festival has a significant social, economic, and cultural impact. Our sustainability policy means that this impact must be positive – socially, economically, and ecologically. When it comes to ecological responsibility, we are working on two parallel fronts: first, to reduce our own ecological footprint, and second, to inspire and raise awareness of ecological challenges. This shows that film has the power not only to tell stories, but also to shape a better tomorrow. In this way, the Festival actively contributes to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and aligns with the EU Mission for 100 climate-neutral and smart cities,” said Marjanović.
Thus, CineLink Industry Days, the Sarajevo Film Festival’s business platform, was last year among the first events in Bosnia and Herzegovina to be certified as an environmentally sustainable event, and this year is undergoing recertification.
The Festival has launched numerous concrete activities with the support of public institutions and organizations as well as private sponsors and partners: free public transport in the evenings and at night, as well as for commercial rides; the Festival uses a fleet of electric vehicles; digital accreditations and invitations have been introduced; waste separation is being implemented at festival venues; all festival locations use LED lighting and 4K laser projectors that meet strict energy-saving standards. In addition, by closing central streets, pedestrian zones are created. There is also the Films for Future competition, in cooperation with the Green Club, which empowers young people to tell their own stories about sustainability. Through the Ecoscope program, especially on Earth Day, the Festival involves audiences in year-round discussions on climate and environmental protection.
“Our goal is clear: for the Sarajevo Film Festival not to be only a celebration of film, but also a driver of a sustainable future,” concluded Marjanović.
