Attention PMs, Producers, Heads of Department and all aspiring filmmakers: when it comes to sustainable production practices, the burning question is, can we really afford to implement environmentally-friendly options?

Funders like Telefilm and the Canada Media Fund (CMF) are now requiring their recipients to track their production’s carbon footprint. Complacency is no longer an option! Sustainability needs to be considered from the get-go and baked right into the budget. 

The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) has recently shared a 1-hour webinar on the budgetary implications of sustainable production practices, hosted by Tracey Friesen (Managing VP of the CMPA’s BC Producers Branch) with speakers from Telefilm and CMF to discuss new practices, and our very own Hans Dayal, DGC BC PM, Executive Board Member and chair of DGC BC’s Sustainability Committee, with a view from the production side. Give it a watch for a little inspiration here.

Along similar lines, the 2022 Sustainable Production Forum recorded a panel called Budgeting with a Sustainability Lens, featuring various producers at the forefront of the sustainable production movement, including DGC BC PM Member Clara George, Chair of DGC National’s Sustainability & Climate Action Committee. It’s a great conversation – tune into it here. And speaking of DGC National’s green initiatives – have you checked out dgcgreen.ca lately? There is a ton of brand new content available, specifically aimed at each department, plus great new videos, articles and other resources.

Change is on the horizon – budget for it!

For more ideas on ways to effect change, check out DGC National’s DGC Green site as well as Creative BC’s Reel Green website for new industry initiatives, green vendors, events and courses you can take.

Annabelle Wilczur
Assistant Business Agent

Tell me what your show is doing to be more sustainable! Do you have a green tip or success story you'd like us to share in a future Ebulletin? Send me an email at awilczur@dgcbc.com.