The Green Screen Toronto Initiative

The Green Screen Toronto Initiative aims to facilitate the long-term growth of Toronto and Ontario's entertainment and creative cluster through industry-wide participation under a unique partnership arrangement by creating a mechanism that is adaptive to new environmental demands affecting the industry. This group has come together to establish standards, guidelines and resources that will keep the industry at a competitive advantage by establishing the most advanced Green Screen Protocols in the creative industries.

At a time when demand for green solutions and standards are extremely high both within the industry and the public at large, the OMDC through the Entertainment and Creative Cluster Fund has recognized the timeliness of this initiative and is providing funding to spearhead one of the most exciting and innovative initiatives in the film and television industry. This initiative is intended to position Toronto and thereby the province of Ontario on the leading edge of sustainable green production locally, nationally and globally.

Project Description

Stakeholders from all sectors of the film community (comprising the cluster) are included and each has a vested interest in the success of this initiative and its outcome. They include: trade associations, unions and guilds, production and post-production facilities, suppliers, distributors, festivals, service providers, industry associations and government. The partners are committed to developing a strategic relationship that promotes mutual and industry-wide benefits.

This initiative is clearly a response to major shifts and demands within and outside the industry. The protocols are meant to assist and accelerate green decision making practices at all levels of production, in all phases of production (development, production and post-production), and all areas of production (from the administrative units to the shop floor). It may also offer a model for other media-based industries (non-screen based) to transform and develop sustainable initiatives.

The Green Screen Toronto Initiative aims to create a set of sustainable best practice protocols leading to a certification program for the Toronto film and television industry, using a third party verification mechanism, under which green-abiding productions would be accredited. The project will also create a Green Production Guide as well as a Green Resource Guide for Ontario-based productions. The moment for implementing sustainable best practices in the industry has come and is recognized by all of us who contribute to it and believe in a thriving future for this industry.

Year 1
• Baseline research to examine present practices within the industry
• Creation of a best practices Green Production Guide
• Creation of a Green Products and Services Resource Guide

Year 2
• Establish a governing body to oversee the Certification Program
• Establish a Green Production Certification Program
• Establish a Green Screen program office

Entertainment and Creative Cluster Fund Partners

Primary Partner: Planet in Focus: International Environmental Film & Video Festival

Founding Partners:
Toronto Film Studios/FILMPORT
IATSE 873
City of Toronto
FilmOntario
DGC Ontario
Deluxe
Panavision
ACTRA Toronto
CFTPA
PS
Comweb