The idea for a dedicated cinema space was born during the first edition of the CULMEA: Film and Environmental Education Festival, held in Brașov from September 6–10, 2023.Over 300 children and adults took part in screenings of award-winning short and feature films from major international film festivals.
”Together with the CULMEA team, we felt it was essential to stay connected with and grow the community of children and young people interested in environmental education through film.
Their engagement and the depth of last year's post-screening discussions showed us just how much young people need these kinds of spaces.We believe in the power of the arts to open minds, build bridges of communication, and nurture empathy, critical thinking, and creativity.
But to truly harness that power, young people need access to a wide range of creative experiences—and the opportunity to explore them through thoughtful, professional guidance.”
Sabina Baciu, FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
That’s how the idea for a monthly European environmental film cinemateque for young audiences came to life. Throughout 2024, the CULMEA team curated a catalog of short and feature films exploring themes like biodiversity, food waste, fast fashion, and activism. The monthly screenings at the CULMEA Cinematheque offered a space for building a community of children, young people, and adults—curious, informed, and ready to imagine a different future.
May was Biodiversity Month, and the weekend of May 18–19 featured guided tours on Tâmpa, nighttime bat discovery workshops, and film screenings at Cinemateca Patria.
The program featured a selection of standout titles, including Katak, the Brave Beluga (Canada, 2023, directed by Christine Dallaire-Dupont & Nicola Lemay, 1h12m, ages 6+, dubbed in Romanian) — winner of the Audience Award at the 2023 Montreal International Children’s Film Festival. Also included was the documentary Animal (France, 2020, directed by Cyril Dion, 1h45m, ages 12+) — winner of the 2021 European Film Academy Young Audience Award, part of the Cannes 2021 selection, and nominated for Best Documentary at the 2021 César Awards.
June was Food Waste Awareness Month, and on Saturday, June 29, the event at Grădina Nuc featured a community picnic, meal planning workshops, and discussions on promoting ethical production and local consumption practices.The focus was on reducing food waste and making the most of local resources.
As night settled in, we screened Just Eat It (Canada, 2014, directed by Grant Baldwin, 1h15m) — a powerful documentary that explores food waste, awarded the Grand Prize at the One Earth Film Festival 2015 and featured in the official selections of IDFA and Hot Docs.
July focused on the theme of Fast Fashion, and over the weekend of July 12–13, CULMEA organized a community second-hand fair promoting circular economy practices and responsible fashion choices.
The most sustainable item of clothing is the one already in your closet.
At the second-hand fair, participants had the chance to refresh their wardrobes without putting additional pressure on the planet’s limited resources. The film program for July included Make Fashion Circular (documentary series, UK, 2021, directed by Matthew Harmer, ages 12+) and Mambar Pierrette (fiction, Belgium/Cameroon, 2023, directed by Rosine Mbakam, 1h30m, ages 14+) — featured in the 2023 Cannes Film Festival (Director’s Fortnight), Toronto Film Festival, IDFA 2023, and the 2024 Göteborg Film Festival.
September was dedicated to the theme of activism. Over the weekend of September 6–8, the CULMEA team took environmental short films to the streets and helped organize Brașov’s first climate walk, in partnership with Street Delivery Brașov.
Street screenings were also part of the weekend, featuring films such as Bigger Than Us(documentary, France, 2021, directed by Flore Vasseur, 1h35m, ages 12+) — selected for the 2021 Cannes International Film Festival, IDFA Amsterdam 2021, and BUFF Malmö 2022.
The 2024 CULMEA Cinematheque program also included training workshops for professionals in film and education.
In March, an introductory workshop on digital film management and projection was held, where 10 projectionists were trained by Vlad Plăiașu, Technical Director at TIFF and CULMEA collaborator. Later, on April 27–28, a second workshop focused on preparing film and environmental education facilitators brought together 23 teachers and cultural educators interested in projects at the intersection of cinema and sustainability.
Partners: Bistro de l’Arte, Breasla Cârciumarilor Brașoveni, Brutăria Simplu, Caravana cu Lilieci, Centrul Cultural Apollonia, Clujul Sustenabil, Conservation Carpathia, Consorțiul Cultural Corona, CORESI Brașov, Discotecă DJs COOP, Filarmonica Brașov, Food Waste Combat, Grădina Nuc, Institutul Francez din România, Asociația Kunstadt, La Fântâna, Primăria Municipiului Brașov, Propark – Fundația pentru Arii Protejate, România Sălbatică, ROMO Brașov: De la Producător direct la Consumator, Street Delivery Brașov, Voluntariat Brașov, WaterBear.
Main media partner: Radio Guerrilla
Media partners: F-sides Cineclub, , IQads, Litera9, Panorama, Revista Atelierul, Școala9, Zile&Nopți
CULMEA: Community Environmental Activism is a project funded by the Municipality of Brașov. The content of this project does not necessarily reflect the official position of the Municipality and does not imply any responsibility on its part.
CULMEA CINEMATHEQUE: European Films and Environmental Education is co-financed by the National Cultural Fund Administration (AFCN). The project does not necessarily represent the position of AFCN. The AFCN is not responsible for the content of the project or the way its results may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the funding beneficiary.
