Engaging With Sustainable Materials And Approaches In Film
Lead Research Organisation:
Edinburgh Napier University
Department Name: School of Arts and Creative Industries
Abstract
This project follows on from the AHRC Scoping Project Sustainable Materials in the Creative Industries (SMICI), led by Dr. Peter Oakley and for which Dr. Ita Jansen was CO-I. The project presented here disseminates the findings and outcomes of the SMICI project in relation to film through different film screenings, round tables, the creation of educational resources, and workshops in Mexico, London, Edinburgh and online, bringing together film scholars, film practitioners, funding bodies, and the wider public.
Film production worldwide contributes significantly to carbon emissions due to its consumption of resources, such as electricity, timber and plastics, the resulting generation of waste, and extensive travel. According to the BFI / BAFTA Report "A Screen New Deal: a route map to sustainable film production" a mainstream film has an average footprint of 2800 tonnes of CO2, while an average low-budget independent film production still has an average carbon footprint of 300 tonnes of CO2. For comparison, the average carbon footprint of a single person in the UK during an entire year lies between 7 to 12 tonnes of CO2.
Within the SMICI project Dr. Jansen examined different case studies of productions employing more sustainable materials and approaches and consequently introduced a combination of these materials and approaches in her own film practice. This resulted in the practice-based research output Itu Ninu, a 72-minute science-fiction film (2023) about two Indigenous climate migrants.
For the production of Itu Ninu Dr Jansen adopted materials and approaches distinguished through the SMICI project, and these coincide with practices commonly found in Indigenous Cinema, such as utilizing natural light, filming in existing locations, employing a minimal crew with reduced equipment, and opting for walking as a mode of transportation. These approaches also overlap with the concept of "Second-Hand" Cinema, as conceptualized by Nadia Bozak in her book The Cinematic Footprint - lights, camera, natural resources (2012).
The film Itu Ninu thus provides an exploration of possible degrowth in the context of film and brings together scholarly ideas and film practice. As such it is an excellent vehicle to engage in conversations and to share best practice in sustainable film production. The project foresees creating educational resources using Itu Ninu as a case study to create more awareness on the environmental impact of film production and simultaneously encourage the use of more sustainable materials and approaches. Dr Jansen belongs to an Indigenous community in Mexico, and the films draws from Indigenous sustainable cultural practices, and features Mexican Indigenous characters; the film is therefore particularly suited to initiate and engage in conversations on sustainable film production in Latin America.
The applied knowledge obtained through the making of the film Itu Ninu allows for in depth discussions, conversations, and knowledge exchange about sustainable materials and practices in film production with different audiences, including film practitioners, film scholars, and the wider public. The team will disseminate the findings of the SMICI project in relation to film through different film screenings, round tables, discussions and workshops in Mexico, London, Edinburgh and online.
Film production worldwide contributes significantly to carbon emissions due to its consumption of resources, such as electricity, timber and plastics, the resulting generation of waste, and extensive travel. According to the BFI / BAFTA Report "A Screen New Deal: a route map to sustainable film production" a mainstream film has an average footprint of 2800 tonnes of CO2, while an average low-budget independent film production still has an average carbon footprint of 300 tonnes of CO2. For comparison, the average carbon footprint of a single person in the UK during an entire year lies between 7 to 12 tonnes of CO2.
Within the SMICI project Dr. Jansen examined different case studies of productions employing more sustainable materials and approaches and consequently introduced a combination of these materials and approaches in her own film practice. This resulted in the practice-based research output Itu Ninu, a 72-minute science-fiction film (2023) about two Indigenous climate migrants.
For the production of Itu Ninu Dr Jansen adopted materials and approaches distinguished through the SMICI project, and these coincide with practices commonly found in Indigenous Cinema, such as utilizing natural light, filming in existing locations, employing a minimal crew with reduced equipment, and opting for walking as a mode of transportation. These approaches also overlap with the concept of "Second-Hand" Cinema, as conceptualized by Nadia Bozak in her book The Cinematic Footprint - lights, camera, natural resources (2012).
The film Itu Ninu thus provides an exploration of possible degrowth in the context of film and brings together scholarly ideas and film practice. As such it is an excellent vehicle to engage in conversations and to share best practice in sustainable film production. The project foresees creating educational resources using Itu Ninu as a case study to create more awareness on the environmental impact of film production and simultaneously encourage the use of more sustainable materials and approaches. Dr Jansen belongs to an Indigenous community in Mexico, and the films draws from Indigenous sustainable cultural practices, and features Mexican Indigenous characters; the film is therefore particularly suited to initiate and engage in conversations on sustainable film production in Latin America.
The applied knowledge obtained through the making of the film Itu Ninu allows for in depth discussions, conversations, and knowledge exchange about sustainable materials and practices in film production with different audiences, including film practitioners, film scholars, and the wider public. The team will disseminate the findings of the SMICI project in relation to film through different film screenings, round tables, discussions and workshops in Mexico, London, Edinburgh and online.
Publications
Itandehui Jansen
(2024)
The Routledge Handbook of Indigenous Film
Shaw D
(2024)
The Routledge Handbook of Indigenous Film
| Title | Itu Ninu |
| Description | This is a 72 minute feature sci-fi film that was made with sustainable materials and approaches in the aftermath of the AHRC Scoping project Sustainable Materials in the Creative Industries and based on the findings of this project. The shooting of the film was supported by a Small Grant of the Royal Society Edinburgh, the post production of the film was supported by a grant from the Diversity and Inclusion Fund of the Edinburgh Council. Distribution of the film to a wider audience through professional DCP copies was part of this AHRC Follow on Funding Project Engaging with Sustainable Materials and Approaches in Film. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Impact | As part of the AHRC Follow On Funding Project Engaging with Sustainable Materials and Approaches in Film multiple (DCP) copies of the film were made to screen the film at festivals and other venues. The film was furthermore translated and subtitled to french, Italian and Turkish. The film has now screened at over 60 international film festivals and received multiple awards. |
| URL | https://ituninu.com/ |
| Description | The project focused on impact and engagement and has contributed to increased awareness of the issues of sustainability surrounding filmmaking among a wider audience and the promotion of more sustainable practices in filmmaking. The project involved over thirty film screenings, Q&A's and round tables addressing issues of sustainability in film. Attendees to these events included members of the general public, scholars, practitioners and industry stake holders. The project engaged with the Mexican Centro de Capacitacion Cinematografica, one of the most important film schools in Mexico City, to discuss sustainable filmmaking practices with staff and students. The film that is part of the project screened at UCLA, where associate professor Stephen Tobin mentioned that he will be including an analysis of the film in an upcoming book on Mexican Science Fiction and climate change. The project additionally engaged with Indigenous communities in Mexico through local film screenings. Different community members highlighted the importance of discussing climate change and sustainability in their communities. Several of the Impact and engagement activities were recorded. In short, the project allowed for engagement with students, scholars, policy makers, Indigenous communities and the general public in different countries, including the US, Mexico and the UK. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Environment,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal |
| Description | Collaboration with Arenet (Americas Research Network) |
| Organisation | Americas Research Network |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We delivered the film Itu Ninu for a festival screening and participated in a Q&A on Sustainable Materials and Approaches in Film. The project arranged for travel and accommodation of panel participants. In the panel participated Itandehui Jansen, Deborah Shaw, Paul Gray, and Armando Bautista. |
| Collaborator Contribution | ARENET organised a film festival (Originaria) in the city of Puebla and arranged for a venue (The Cinemateca Luis Buñuel), marketing and promotion, and general infrastructure. |
| Impact | A screening of the film Itu Ninu in Puebla and a panel. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Collaboration with Instituto Cervantes for screenings in Italy |
| Organisation | Cervantes Institute |
| Country | Spain |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | We delivered the film Itu Ninu for screenings in cinemas in Palermo and Rome. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Cervantes Institute arranged for venues in Rome (Casa del Cinema) and in Palermo (Cinema Rouge et Noir), marketing and communication, and infrastructure for screenings of the film Itu Ninu. |
| Impact | A screening of Itu Ninu in Rome, and a screening of Itu Ninu in Palermo |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Presentation of Itu Ninu at UCLA |
| Organisation | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I delivered the film Itu Ninu for a screening at the UCLA Latin American Institute and participated in a conversation after the screening. I arranged for my travel to Los Angeles. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners provided a venue, and marketing and communication about the event. UCLA also arranged for my accommodation. |
| Impact | Two screenings of Itu Ninu with different audiences at UCLA. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Eco Narratives and Sustainability in Film |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The conference was a two-day engagement event including film screenings and a two day symposium that examine how sustainable materials and approaches are shaping the future of filmmaking.. The event had 60 attendees. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://screenacademyscotland.ac.uk/news_post/sustainable-materials-approaches-in-film/ |
| Description | New eco-narratives in Latin American film: a series of film screenings and talks at the Garden Cinema in London |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This was an event that combined screenings of films and artsists film and Q&As led by academics with the filmmakers. 70 people attended on 7th and 62 on 8th. We hosted two special screenings and Q&As at The Garden Cinema in London on 7th and 8th November. The two-day event featured two new films (Itu Ninu and Historias de Shipibos - Peru). On 7th November we screened the transnational sci-fi film Itu Ninu by Itandehui Jansen about two Indigenous climate migrants, followed by screenings of short films Leonel and Lesli (Paul Gray), and a selection of short films by acclaimed multimedia artist Carolina Caycedo. On 8th November we screened Historias de Shipibos by Omar Forero, a film that tells the story of Bewen, a member of the Shipibo community in Peru as we see his identity formation in each stage of his life from child to man and from rural community to city. All screenings were followed by Q&As with the filmmakers. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-eco-narratives-in-latin-american-film-tickets-1024631549547 : |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-eco-narratives-in-latin-american-film-tickets-1024631549547 |
| Description | Screening Itu Ninu in Chile and Bolivia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the Cineteca Nacional in the city of Santiago in Chile, and at the cultural centre Espacio Wailiki in Bolivia. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://museo.precolombino.cl/itu-ninu-cumbres-de-maiz/ |
| Description | Screening of Itu Ninu & Round Table at the Cineteca Nacional in Mexico City |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the Cineteca Nacional in Mexico City. After the screening there was a round table on sustainability in film. The panel consisted of Head of Screen Academy Scotland Paul Gray, Dr Ita Jansen, filmmaker Armando Bautista Garcia, and filmmaker and lecturer at the Mexican Film School Sabrina Almandoz. The conversation focused on sustainability in filmmaking. The audience in attendance consisted of (film) students, filmmakers, film industry stakeholders such as distributors, and a general audience. The audience, particularly film students responded to the film by noting that they had previously not really reflected on the environmental impact of filmmaking. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.cinetecanacional.net/detallePelicula.php?FilmId=HO00007073#gsc.tab=0 |
| Description | Screening of Itu Ninu at Cine Fest Latino Boston |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts as part of the Cine Fest Latino Boston Festival. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.cinefestlatino.com/2024-edition/itu-ninu |
| Description | Screening of Itu Ninu at El Ojo Cojo in Madrid |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the film festival El Ojo Cojo in Madrid and received an honourable mention for its contribution in highlighting an endangered language. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCM1ysmv_qf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link |
| Description | Screening of Itu Ninu at Film Festival Wairoa Maori in New Zealand |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the film festival Wairoa Maori in New Zealand to a local audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://static1.squarespace.com/static/52aceb4ce4b09df32bf26f06/t/67142adf95d9892bae773a57/172937494... |
| Description | Screening of Itu Ninu at film festival Raza Cósmica in San Antonio, TX, with actress in attendance |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the Raza Cósmica Film Festival in San Antonio, Texas in the Slab Cinema Art House. This event was supported by the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute. The actress Alejandra Herrera was in attendance to exchange views with the audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.bluestarartscomplex.com/event-details/raza-cosmica-film-festival-presents-itu-ninu |
| Description | Screening of Itu Ninu at the Annual Copenhagen Film Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the Annual Copenhagen Film Festival 2024. It received the Award for Best Feature Film. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://cphfilmfest.com/film/itu-ninu/ |
| Description | Screening of Itu Ninu at the Atlanta International Sci-Fi Film Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film screened at the Atlanta International Film Festival and received the Award for Best Indigenous Sci-fi film. The festival intends to propose the winning films for additional screenings and local distribution. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.atlantascififilmfestival.com/films/itu-ninu |
| Description | Screening of Itu Ninu at the Cineclub de Barrio in Barcelona, Spain |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the Cineclub de Barrio in Barcelona, Spain. The director (Ita Jansen) and the producer participated in a Q&A after the screening to exchange ideas with the audience. In attendance were two Mexican actors, a Mexican film producer, and a mix of general audience. The audience highlighted that thinking about the environmental impact of film and its footprint was completely new to them. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.instagram.com/p/DAOA0NEKqKn/?igsh=NW1oczVtamZlOHln |
| Description | Screening of Itu Ninu at the Female Film Festival in Berlin (FFFB) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the Female Film Festival in Berlin. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.femalefilmmakersberlin.com/programme2024/feature-film-itu-ninu-mexico |
| Description | Screening of Itu Ninu at the Immigration Film Festival in Washington |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film screened at the Immigration Film Festival in Washington DC. I was in attendance and exchanged ideas with the audience in a Q&A after the screening. Audience members highlighted how the film had made them think about the need to protect bio-diversity and plant life. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://immigrationfilmfest24.eventive.org/schedule/language-itu-ninu-with-22-words-66e1a62a1bb4be00... |
| Description | Screening of Itu Ninu at the Latin American Institute UCLA in Los Angeles |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the Latin American Institute at UCLA in Los Angeles, to an audience of academics, postgraduate students, undergraduate students, and visiting scholars. This resulted in the expression of interest by an academic to write a book chapter on the film. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.international.ucla.edu/LAI/events/16830 |
| Description | Screening of Itu Ninu at the RNCI Film Festival in Los Angeles |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the RNCI film festival in Los Angeles. It was nominated for the award for Best Picture, it was nominated for the award for Best Achievement in Directing, for the award for Best Screenplay, and for the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.rednationff.com/itu-ninu/ |
| Description | Screening of Itu Ninu at the Street Movies Film Festival in Belgrade |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the first Street Movies Film Festival in Belgrade, Serbia |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://streetmoviesfestival.com/inner-dissolving/ |
| Description | Screening of Itu Ninu at the University Book Fair Ful, in Pachuca, Mexico |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo (Autonomous University of the state of Hidalgo) as part of the University Book Fair. There was an online Q&A. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.uaeh.edu.mx/ful/2024/evento/110 |
| Description | Screening of Itu Ninu at the festival Originaria in Puebla, Mexico |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at film festival Originaria at the Cinemateca Luis Buñuel in Puebla Mexico. The festival was organised by ARENET and there was a conversation panel after the screening. Dr Ita Jansen, Paul Gray (Head of Screen Academy Scotland) and Professor Deborah Shaw participated in this conversation panel. The audience consisted of local filmmakers, students, and organisations promoting Indigenous cultures and languages. The audience indicated they appreciated the films for their focus on Indigenous cultural heritage and biodiversity. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://sites.google.com/arenet.org/originaria/cartelera?authuser=0&pli=1 |
| Description | Screening of Itu Ninu at the film festival Narrar el Futuro in Colombia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the film festival Narrar el Futuro in Bogota, Colombia. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://narrarelfuturo.com/cartelera/relatos-del-futuro/itu-ninu/ |
| Description | Screening of Itu Ninu at the film festival Presence Autochtone in Montreal, Canada |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the film festival Presence Autochtone in Montreal, Canada at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Montreal. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://presenceautochtone.ca/en/programmation/itu-ninu/ |
| Description | Screening of Itu Ninu in Chalcatongo de Hidalgo, Mexico |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened in the town of Chalcatongo de Hidalgo in Mexico. This event was organised and promoted by Cine Mixteca. There was a Q&A after the screening. In attendance were local policy makers, local population and different high school and university students. The local town mayor mentioned after the screenin g that the film highlighted the need to protect the environment and biodiversity. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.instagram.com/p/DEBA2jESn4l/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link |
| Description | Screening of the film Itu Ninu at FICENS in Ensenada, Mexico |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the International Film Festival FICENS in Ensenada. Here it received the Award for Best Picture and Best Director. The activity resulted in that the film will travel with an itinerant festival programme during 2025. The activity also resulted in a distribution agreement with distributor Benuca Films which will screen the film in different art house cinemas in Mexico throughout 2025. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.elvigia.net/general/2024/11/26/reconoce-talento-el-ficens-2024-456529.html |
| Description | Screening of the film Itu Ninu at the Berlin SciFi Film Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the SciFi Film Festival in Berlin and received an Award for Best Feature Film. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.berlinscifi.org/2024-awards |
| Description | Screening of the film Itu Ninu at the Beyond Film Festival in Germany |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the Beyond film festival in KulturKino Feuchtwangen, Germany. The film received the Award for Best Dystopian film. The Jury statement: "Director Itandehui Jansen impressively addresses the themes of climate change, migration, and digital surveillance from an indigenous perspective in her film "Itu Ninu." The two lead actors deliver outstanding performances, taking the audience into a distressing dystopian world where the protagonists are forced to live under constant surveillance in a smart city. Through Jansen's sensitive direction and precise cinematography, the isolation of the characters becomes tangible, while the delicate love relationship between them remains central. The use of natural lighting and atmospheric composition emphasizes the deep connection of the protagonists to nature. The plants with which the main character works symbolize both hope and resistance against the climate crisis-they serve as the unspoken link between the characters and their devastated homeland. In a touching scene, this is powerfully conveyed through the line, "The roots of my plants meet underground and touch there"-a metaphor for the secret relationship maintained through letters that blooms in the shadows. The minimalist use of dialogue underscores the strength of nonverbal communication in the narrative. This silent storytelling is supported by the restrained yet precise camera work, focusing on the intimate moments between the characters. In doing so, it highlights the heartwarming romance amidst the dystopian threat without neglecting the seriousness of the situation. Music and sound significantly contribute to the film's atmosphere by enhancing the emotional depth of the scenes and making the tension of omnipresent surveillance palpable. The film's aesthetics, with its river landscapes, sunsets, and floral motifs, may evoke a slight romanticization of the plot towards the end, yet "Itu Ninu" successfully conveys its central message: that even in a world marked by surveillance and destruction, hope and love can take root. Jansen manages to create a coherent and motivating work with a minimalist approach and careful control of camera, light, and sound that touches and provokes thought in viewers. "Itu Ninu" not only showcases the threats of a dystopian future but also illuminates resilience and faith in a better, more humane world." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.beyond-filmfestival.com/en/art/artists/elke-reinhuber/ |
| Description | Screening of the film Itu Ninu at the FNFVF Film Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the FNFVF film festival in Chicago. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://comfortstationlogansquare.org/calendar/2024/11/6/comfort-film-presents-first-nations-film-an... |
| Description | Screening of the film Itu Ninu at the Festival Scoprir in Rome and Palermo |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the Latin American film festival Scoprir in the city of Rome and Palermo. The screenings were organised and supported by the Instituto Cervantes in Casa del Cinema in Rome, and the Cinema Rouge et Noir in Palermo. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://cultura.cervantes.es/palermo/it/itu-ninu/172972 |
| Description | Screening of the film Itu Ninu at the Festival de Cine al Margen in Mexico City |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the film festival Cine al Margen in Mexico city, both at the Film School Centro de Capacitacion Cinematografica (CCC) and at the cinema La Casa del Cine MX. The festival selected the film for an itinerant programme in 2025 that will take the film to different states in Mexico. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.cinealmargen.com/programacion/cine-al-margen/itu-ninu |
| Description | Screening of the film Itu Ninu at the Film Festival El Cine Suma Paz |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at different venues in Colombia as part of the film festival El Cine Suma Paz, focusing on creating a culture for peace and for environmental protection. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.elcinesumapaz.com/seleccionoficial |
| Description | Screening of the film Itu Ninu at the Galactic Imaginarium Film Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at The Galactic Imaginarium Film Festival in Romania, where it received the Award for Best Sci-Fi Film. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://festival.galactic.one/movies/itu-ninu/ |
| Description | Screening of the film Itu Ninu at the Pigeon Film Festival in Iceland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film screened at the international Pigeon Film Festival in Iceland. The director of the festival mentioned that Judges gave it good reviews and talked about how good the film looked and the great camera work, and that it was an artistic and well done project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://piff.is/2024/films/e32dbc67-e63d-48e7-9a06-3fbd92b6ce5e |
| Description | Screening of the film Itu Ninu at the cultural centre San Pablo & Round Table |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the Cultural Centre San Pablo in Oaxaca in combination with a round table on Eco Narratives. In the round table participated among others Professor Deborah Shaw, Head of Screen Scotland Paul Gray, and Dr Ita Jansen. The audience in attendance consisted of local students, artists, local press, and academics. The audience responded to the film and the round table with comments and questions on language revitalisation, and concerns around biodiversity. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.nvinoticias.com/cultura/cine/itu-ninu-la-pelicula-de-oaxaca-hablada-en-mixteco-que-se-gr... |
| Description | Screening of the film Itu Ninu in a programme by Cine Mixteca |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The film was incorporated in an itinerant programme of Cine Mixteca, screening films in rural Indigenous communities in the state of Oaxaca. Several of these screenings involved conversations and Q&A's afterwards. The film screened among others at the community of Sta Maria Apazco, and the town of Nochixtlan. The audience consisted of rural community members. In the conversations after the screening they highlighted that they were happy to hear their own Indigenous language on screen. Several audience member pointed out local environmental issues that need addressing such as the excessive use of plastics when shopping. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.instagram.com/p/DDAk9QGygsv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link |
| Description | The film Itu Ninu screened at the Otherwise Film Festival at San Diego University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The film Itu Ninu screened at the Otherwise Film Festival at San Diego University to an audience consisting mainly of students in film and related subjects. There was an online Q&A after the screening. Audience members noted they had previously not given much thought to the environmental impact of filmmaking. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.otherwisefilmfestival.com/echos-11-16-24 |