Sustainability on Screen: Guildford’s First Film Festival

Sustain Film Festival

Last summer, the Institute sponsored Guildford’s very first film festival, which sparked inspiration and meaningful conversations on sustainability. Arriving at a moment when discussions about the environment, wellbeing, and our shared future feel increasingly urgent, the festival brought together 88 short films from around the world, each offering a creative lens on how we live, connect, and evolve.

Rooted in local energy and imagination, the festival began as a grassroots idea among artists and educators who believed that Guildford—with its rich academic community, diverse population, and thriving creative culture—could serve as a place where global challenges are made tangible and relatable. With support from local institutions and an open call to international creators, the festival sought to become a hub for exchanging ideas, perspectives, and visions for a more sustainable future.

More than a series of screenings, the programme offered workshops, panel discussions, and performances designed to spark reflection and dialogue. Through powerful stories about the environment, society, and shared responsibility, audiences were encouraged not only to watch but to think, connect, and take action. Schools and community groups were invited to participate, helping ensure that young voices and previously unheard stories were brought to the forefront.

At its heart, the festival remained committed to empowering people, nurturing environmental awareness, and strengthening inclusive community engagement. In a world where it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of global issues, the gathering offered a quieter, hopeful reminder that creative expression can inspire the small, meaningful shifts that lead to broader change.

The next steps

Following the success of the inaugural festival, the second Sustain Film Festival is just around the corner, taking place on 15 March 2026. This year’s programme features 33 short films from 15 different countries, each exploring themes connected to the planet and all living beings that inhabit it.

For more details, visit the festival website: Sustain Film Festival Guildford

SDGs

This festival addressed all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Fourteen of the 17 goals were featured more than ten times, demonstrating the breadth and depth of sustainability themes represented across the programme. SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) was the most frequently addressed, appearing in 40 of the 88 films. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) followed, represented in 24 films. SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) were each highlighted in 18 films. Altogether, the SDGs were referenced 250 times across the 88 submitted works.

Read the latest on the University of Surrey’s UN SDG report here.