The Mountain, written and directed by Ásthildur Kjartansdóttir (The Deposit) is the first feature film in Iceland to be awarded the prestigious Green Film Sustainability certification. This certification signifies a groundbreaking shift towards more environmentally responsible production methods, setting a benchmark for sustainability within the Icelandic film industry.
The certification is being hailed as a “new beginning” for eco-conscious filmmaking, establishing clear, measurable standards for sustainability throughout the production process.
The Path to Certification for The Mountain
Achieving this certification was no small feat. The producers and director of The Mountain worked closely with the cast and crew to ensure that all stringent requirements were met. This involved creating a comprehensive sustainability plan that prioritized eco-friendly transportation, technology, and sourcing sustainable suppliers across all stages of production.
Sigríður Rósa Bjarnadóttir, the film’s sustainability manager, highlighted the environmental challenges inherent in traditional filmmaking: “Traditional film productions can leave a significant carbon footprint, especially due to air travel, transportation, electricity usage, and waste. We aimed to reduce energy consumption, use renewable energy sources, minimize travel, cut down on paper usage, reduce waste, and promote more sustainable practices in every aspect of production.”
Producer Anna Guðbjörg Magnúsdóttir elaborated on the noticeable changes implemented on set: “We wanted to reduce the production’s carbon footprint and ensure that we could measure and verify our results locally. We’re proud to say we succeeded. The results aren’t all tangible or visible, but one noticeable difference was on set—where no disposable plastic containers, plates, cups, or utensils were used. This significantly reduced the amount of waste we had to manage at the end of each day, and as a bonus, kept the set tidier than usual.”
Director Ásthildur Kjartansdóttir is no stranger to green filmmaking: “This is the second time I make a green film; the first one received BAFTA certification abroad. I am very pleased to make another green film and that it is certified in Iceland.”
Independent Certification by KPMG Iceland
KPMG Iceland, a leading auditing and consulting firm, was responsible for conducting the certification audit. The firm verified that The Mountain adhered to all the necessary criteria to qualify for Green Film certification. Lára Portal, Sustainability Consultant at KPMG, and a certified auditor for the Green Film Rating System, praised the film’s pioneering role: “We at KPMG are proud to have participated in this project with The Mountain. This is a significant step towards more sustainable filmmaking, and we especially commend The Mountain for being the first in Iceland to engage in this important initiative.”
A Milestone for the Icelandic Film Industry
The Green Film certification aligns with Iceland’s 2020-2030 Film Policy, which places a strong emphasis on sustainability in the industry. With The Mountain leading the way, Iceland is well-positioned to emerge as a global leader in sustainable filmmaking. The certification is expected to inspire future projects to adopt similar practices, enhancing environmental awareness across the industry. Additionally, it strengthens Iceland’s image as a hub of innovation, art, and sustainability, further solidifying the country’s role on the international stage.
This milestone not only marks a shift in how films are produced in Iceland but also sets a new standard for the global film industry to follow.
This post/page may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. For details, visit our Affiliate Disclosure page.
The Mountain, written and directed by Ásthildur Kjartansdóttir (The Deposit) is the first feature film in Iceland to be awarded the prestigious Green Film Sustainability certification. This certification signifies a groundbreaking shift towards more environmentally responsible production methods, setting a benchmark for sustainability within the Icelandic film industry.
The certification is being hailed as a “new beginning” for eco-conscious filmmaking, establishing clear, measurable standards for sustainability throughout the production process.
The Path to Certification for The Mountain
Achieving this certification was no small feat. The producers and director of The Mountain worked closely with the cast and crew to ensure that all stringent requirements were met. This involved creating a comprehensive sustainability plan that prioritized eco-friendly transportation, technology, and sourcing sustainable suppliers across all stages of production.
Sigríður Rósa Bjarnadóttir, the film’s sustainability manager, highlighted the environmental challenges inherent in traditional filmmaking: “Traditional film productions can leave a significant carbon footprint, especially due to air travel, transportation, electricity usage, and waste. We aimed to reduce energy consumption, use renewable energy sources, minimize travel, cut down on paper usage, reduce waste, and promote more sustainable practices in every aspect of production.”
Producer Anna Guðbjörg Magnúsdóttir elaborated on the noticeable changes implemented on set: “We wanted to reduce the production’s carbon footprint and ensure that we could measure and verify our results locally. We’re proud to say we succeeded. The results aren’t all tangible or visible, but one noticeable difference was on set—where no disposable plastic containers, plates, cups, or utensils were used. This significantly reduced the amount of waste we had to manage at the end of each day, and as a bonus, kept the set tidier than usual.”
Director Ásthildur Kjartansdóttir is no stranger to green filmmaking: “This is the second time I make a green film; the first one received BAFTA certification abroad. I am very pleased to make another green film and that it is certified in Iceland.”
Independent Certification by KPMG Iceland
KPMG Iceland, a leading auditing and consulting firm, was responsible for conducting the certification audit. The firm verified that The Mountain adhered to all the necessary criteria to qualify for Green Film certification. Lára Portal, Sustainability Consultant at KPMG, and a certified auditor for the Green Film Rating System, praised the film’s pioneering role: “We at KPMG are proud to have participated in this project with The Mountain. This is a significant step towards more sustainable filmmaking, and we especially commend The Mountain for being the first in Iceland to engage in this important initiative.”
A Milestone for the Icelandic Film Industry
The Green Film certification aligns with Iceland’s 2020-2030 Film Policy, which places a strong emphasis on sustainability in the industry. With The Mountain leading the way, Iceland is well-positioned to emerge as a global leader in sustainable filmmaking. The certification is expected to inspire future projects to adopt similar practices, enhancing environmental awareness across the industry. Additionally, it strengthens Iceland’s image as a hub of innovation, art, and sustainability, further solidifying the country’s role on the international stage.
This milestone not only marks a shift in how films are produced in Iceland but also sets a new standard for the global film industry to follow.
Source: Icelandic Film Centre
Advertisement
Amazon Prime Video free 30-day trial
This post/page may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. For details, visit our Affiliate Disclosure page.
Share this:
Like this: