The Motion Picture Association of Canada Recognizes Motion Picture Companies That are Going Green

Many productions have won environmental awards because of their sustainable production initiatives. The BC film industry has been at the forefront of green initiatives, helping to establish best practices for sustainability at the studios and on productions.

2015 saw the Environmental Media Awards Green Seal awarded to three major BC productions: Deadpool (Twentieth Century Fox), Tomorrowland (Disney) and The X-Files (Twentieth Century Fox). In 2016, the award went to Shut Eye, Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed, Bates Motel and The Magicians. There is a green revolution afoot in BC’s motion picture industry, and it is growing stronger. How did they do it? And what does sustainable production achieve?

The X-Files cast and crew’s continued commitment to sustainable productions resulted in a waste diversion rate of 81% and a recycle rate of 100% for the aluminum and steel used on their sets. They recycled more than 35 tons of EPS foam, and further extended their green principles to the production office by distributing digital scripts and memos.

Watch The X-Files video and read the full article.

Tomorrowland’s (Disney) zero-waste initiative achieved a 91% waste diversion from landfills by reusing, recycling and donating construction materials, having reusable water bottles at craft service and on set, and running generators on biodiesel. As a result, Tomorrowland received both the 2015 EMA Green Seal and the 2014 Harold Greenberg Fund Green Screen Award.

Fifty Shades of Grey’s (NBC Universal) crew implemented food waste recycling into their waste reduction program. Cooking oil from catering was recycled into products like biodiesel. Canned and non-perishable foods went to local community programs. They also stored and reused their sets on sequels.

iZombie (Warner Bros. Entertainment) partners with Keep it Green Recycling, and uses a “Compost Transfer” system to divert six yards of food waste each month. Warner Bros Television crews nominate a “Green Lead” to manage their green production process and integrate more sustainable products and services.

Sony Pictures Imageworks headquarters in Vancouver features an energy-efficient living green wall and uses an energy-efficient data center. Sony Pictures BC-based productions, such as Imaginary Mary, Timeless and Shut Eye make use of the local waste vendors who are committed to sustainable waste management practices.

2017 will see even more sustainable practices being adopted by motion picture productions. Let’s applaud them on their efforts to lighten their footprint while filming in BC’s communities.

Read the full MPA article

View winners of EMA Green Seal Award