Films, trains, upcycling and vegetarian catering: How do we make One World a sustainable festival?

One of our main goals is to make important environmental issues accessible to a broad audience. Our annual surveys consistently confirm that climate protection is a key concern for our visitors, and documentaries on environmental topics rank among the most popular films in the programme. Each year, we therefore include a dedicated category featuring seven or eight carefully selected films. Through these screenings, we draw attention to issues such as ocean pollution, endangered species and the impacts of climate change, while also exploring more complex social topics, including environmental racism and the power of activism. Films focusing on environmental issues are also regularly featured across our competition categories.

We believe that meaningful engagement should not end when the credits roll. That is why providing expert context is an essential part of our programme. During preparations, we work closely with a network of partners and environmental organisations across the Czech Republic. Our post-screening discussions regularly feature representatives of environmental NGOs as well as specialists from both the non-profit and academic sectors. They help connect the stories on screen with real-world challenges and demonstrate the many ways in which individuals can contribute to protecting our planet.

Guests arriving by rail

Meeting filmmakers, experts and activists from around the world in person is what makes One World unique. Bringing international guests to Prague and other festival locations, however, comes with significant logistical and environmental considerations. For this reason, we approach travel differently. We are always delighted to welcome European guests at railway stations rather than airports. When long-haul flights are genuinely unavoidable, we use airlines’ carbon offsetting programmes to compensate for at least part of the associated CO₂ emissions. The pandemic also showed us that online discussions with guests based overseas can be remarkably engaging and personal, and we continue to embrace this format whenever appropriate. Within Prague, we prefer travelling by public transport or using hired electric vehicles.

Vegetarian catering and giving old materials a second life

For us, the principle of “reduce, reuse, recycle” is far more than a slogan. All festival events offer exclusively vegetarian catering, always served on reusable tableware. We also carefully consider how much food and how many materials are genuinely needed in order to avoid unnecessary waste at the end of each event.

We are equally passionate about the festival’s visual identity. Festival set design and merchandise are created with longevity in mind, using visual concepts that can continue to serve us across multiple editions. When materials such as old banners reach the end of their original purpose, we give them a new lease of life by transforming them into unique festival bags, covers and other practical items.

Being honest about the challenges: Why we are not giving up our printed catalogue just yet

Being a responsible festival does not mean pretending that we have all the answers. One issue we regularly discuss at length within the team is the printed festival catalogue. We are fully aware of the environmental impact associated with printing. Nevertheless, the catalogue remains an essential tool for accessibility and orientation for many of our visitors. We have therefore chosen to keep it, while ensuring that only the minimum necessary number of copies is produced. A similar challenge, which we are currently addressing and which remains financially demanding, is the gradual transition to greener sources of electricity in our cinemas and offices.

As a member of The Green Film Network, the world’s largest network of environmentally focused film festivals, we have the privilege of sharing experiences and drawing inspiration from colleagues abroad. Our team continually develops its expertise through green consulting training, and we make a point of sharing this knowledge with others. We regularly discuss sustainable practices with One World organisers across all regions of the Czech Republic, helping to spread ideas and solutions throughout the festival network.

Photo: Lukáš Bíba, Vaiva Bezhan, still from the film The Coriolis Effect