At the Montrose LandxSea Film Fest, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Our mission goes beyond showcasing films that inspire environmental action—it's about leading by example in every aspect of our operations. From behind-the-scenes planning to the festival experience itself, we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint and promoting a healthier planet. This includes:

• Zero Waste: Prioritising reusable, recyclable, sustainable, or biodegradable materials at all events.
• Local Sourcing: Partnering with local businesses to minimise transport emissions.
• Plant-Based Food: Supporting local caterers, promoting plant-based options, and actively reducing food waste.
• Conscious Travel: Encouraging low- or zero-carbon travel for audiences, filmmakers, and speakers.

Behind The Scenes

Our core team operates predominantly remotely, minimising travel and reducing carbon emissions. When in-person gatherings are necessary, we prioritise public transportation, and Montrose's excellent train links (including direct connections to many cities, including London) make this convenient. We also strive to source materials and services locally to support the community while further reducing our carbon footprint.

For marketing, we rely heavily on digital platforms to reduce paper use. When physical materials are needed, such as programmes, posters, or audience ballots, we ensure they're printed on recycled paper by local vendors. We also design these materials for minimal waste and reuse. For example, our 2024 programme was printed in a 'map format' on one large sheet of recycled paper, folded without glue or staples; and our vinyl outdoor banners are reused annually with updated dates sewn on (can you spot the updated panel below?).

At Our Events

At the festival itself, we aim to create a low-impact, enjoyable experience for all attendees. Our host venue, the Montrose Playhouse, is a community-owned cinema and arts hub that prioritises energy efficiency. The Playhouse’s commitment to sustainability aligns perfectly with our festival’s values.

Zero Waste Initiatives

Our event setup and decor are designed with sustainability in mind: no single-use plastics, and all materials are either rented, reused, or made from recycled or sustainable content. Any waste generated is composted or recycled.

To manage audience waste responsibly, we provide recycling and composting stations throughout our venue, with clear guidance to help attendees contribute to these efforts. Our goal is zero landfill waste, and we work closely with vendors to ensure all serving ware is compostable or reusable.

Eco Fair

The festival’s Eco Fair promotes local green businesses and initiatives, providing attendees with hands-on opportunities to engage with sustainability. From interactive workshops to eco-friendly product showcases, the Eco Fair connects our community to practical, actionable solutions.

Sustainable Catering

Our catering partners at our festival and guest hospitality events align with our sustainability goals, offering locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. By choosing plant-based catering wherever possible, we reduce our carbon footprint while supporting local farmers and businesses. We encourage mostly plant-based food, no single-use serving ware, and minimising food waste.

Transportation Options

We recognise that many filmmakers and environmental speakers travel to Montrose to attend our festival. To minimise our environmental impact, we actively encourage low-carbon travel by rail or bus whenever possible, reserving air travel for exceptional cases in line with our Air Travel Policy. For 2024, we further reduced emissions by prioritising virtual Q&A sessions for distant guests.

Sustainabability in Action

In 2024, our efforts led to measurable environmental benefits:

Guest Travel:

• Among visiting filmmakers and guest speakers, 39% traveled by train, reducing emissions by an estimated 675 kg CO₂e compared to driving. 
• 18% of guests walked or cycled to the festival, resulting in zero carbon emissions.
• Notably, no UK mainland guests traveled by plane, resulting in significant carbon savings.
• Far-flung guests from Vancouver, California, and Melbourne participated in virtual Q&A sessions, further minimising the need for air travel.

Guest Travel Carbon Emissions (kg CO₂e) by mode:

• Car: 464 kg CO2e (2,,806 km)
• Bus: 3 kg CO2e (93 km)
• Train: 206 kg CO2e (5,808 km)
• Domestic Flights: 499 kg CO2e (1,832 km)
• Shorthaul Flights: 779 kg CO2e (4,260 km)
• Longhaul Flights: 807 kg CO2e (4,032 km)
• Total Guest Travel Total: 2,758 kg CO2e (18,832 km) 
• This total is equivalent to about 3 months carbon footprint for the average UK resident. 

(Source: Creative Climate Tools)

Audience Travel:

Encourating sustainable transport paid off, with 37% of attendess using active travel (walking or cycling) and 23% relying on public transit, primarily trains.

Ongoing Efforts

Sustainability is an ongoing journey, and we recognise that there is always more to learn and improve. We remain committed to continually evolving our practices—whether by reducing energy use, adopting new green technologies, or building deeper connections with local environmental organisations.