30th Starz Denver Film Festival "Goes Green"
The 30th Starz Denver Film Festival (SDFF) announces its Green Initiative – a combination of efforts aimed at significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the 11-day event (November 8-18). With the support of premier sponsor Starz Entertainment, LLC and in partnership with Sustainable Travel International (STI - sustainabletravel.com), the SDFF will honor environmentally friendly business practices dedicated to reducing energy use and waste through various programs.
“As a leader in the Colorado arts community and the international film arena, we feel it is our responsibility to be on the forefront of sustainable business practices,” said Scott Rowitz, executive director of the Denver Film Society. “The Green Initiative allows us to set a precedent in the community and in the festival industry.”
Over the past 30 years, the Denver Film Society (DFS) has been dedicated to educating the public on important social and cultural issues through the art of film. The Green Initiative allows the DFS to inspire its audience to adopt eco-friendly lifestyle practices.
With the financial support of Starz SDFF will purchase MyClimate™ and Conservation International carbon offsets through Sustainable Travel International in an effort to offset the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the environment as a result of the festival. Carbon offsets make it possible for individuals and businesses to neutralize the greenhouse gas emissions they are responsible for, from activities such as transportation, by contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases in another place.
Festival patrons will have the opportunity to donate money to the Green Initiative as an added expense to the price of festival tickets or as a separate donation. Money raised will be used to fund Green Initiative efforts and donated to various national and international projects dedicated to increasing energy efficiency, reducing waste, reducing deforestation, and replacing traditional sources of fuel used for energy with clean and renewable sources like wind and solar power.
"Filmmakers are leading the way in educating the public about the impact of global warming. The Starz Denver Film Festival Green Initiative demonstrates that the creative community is prepared to act as well as talk in the campaign to improve the environment,” said Bill Myers, president and COO of Starz Entertainment. “We at Starz are proud of this effort by the Festival to ‘go green’ and delighted to support it."
Other aspects of the Green Initiative will include: 100% organic cotton commemorative t-shirts for sale online at denverfilm.org/shop and at merchandise booths throughout the festival; a film guide recycling and exchange program to offer festival patrons the opportunity to reduce waste by sharing their guides before disposing of them; 100% recyclable and compostable Eco-Products to be used at official festival receptions and lounges.
Also included in the SDFF Green Initiative is a partnership with Denver-based organization, BaggyShirts, who will offer festival patrons an eco-friendly merchandise option. Baggy Shirts are an environmentally friendly and reusable multi-purpose bag created by local artisans reducing carbon emissions by 80-90%. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Baggy Shirts goes to organizations dedicated to reducing carbon emissions into the environment. Baggy Shirts will be sold at merchandise booths throughout the festival and will be available for online purchase at denverfilm.org/shop.