From December 9 to 12, 2022, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) and Telefilm Canada are joining forces to present Green Space, a series of film screenings, virtual reality (VR) experiences and panel discussions, all free of charge, as part of the official cultural programming of COP15 in Montreal. “It was important for us at the NFB to partner with Telefilm Canada to present a selection of films and VR works that raise essential environmental issues, at a moment when COP15 participants will be debating those very issues in Montreal," Julie Roy, Director General, Creation, Distribution and Marketing, and Chief Programming Officer, NFB said. "As a public producer and distributor, we are duty-bound to support works that explore subjects like these, given the times we live in, when crucial decisions must be made to ensure the future of our planet.”
Located on the Grand Quay of the Port of Montreal, Green Space forms part of the COP15 Public Action Zone. The international conference's main objective is to reduce the amount of biodiversity loss worldwide. The initiative is presented in partnership with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Green Space will be accessible by COP15 participants as well as members of the public, at the NFB’s Montreal headquarters in Place des Festivals, in both the NFB Space and the Alanis Obomsawin Theatre. Green Space at the NFB consists of eight documentary and animated films, including many award winners, that raise topical environmental issues and are drawn from the NFB collection or curated by Telefilm Canada, inlcuding "The Magnitude of All Things" by Jennifer Abbott, Borealis by Kevin McMahon, Carface by Claude Cloutier, Into the Weeds by Jennifer Baichwal, and Earth: Seen from the Heart by Iolande Cadrin-Rossignol, featuring Hubert Reeves.
The event will also feature VR experiences related to the environment, including "Plastisapiens" by Miri Chekhanovich" and Édith Jorisch with Dpt., "The Orchid and the Bee" by Frances Adair Mckenzie, "Biidaaban: First Light" by Lisa Jackson, Mathew Borrett, Jam3 and the NFB, and "Unceded Territories" by Paisley Smith and Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun. Panel discussions on issues raised by the films will answer the public's question on Sunday, 11 December, at 4:30 p.m. with filmmaker Jennifer Baichwal.
“Telefilm’s ongoing commitment to support a sustainable and inclusive audiovisual industry is aligned with this partnership with the NFB—which allows us to help amplify stories on climate impact through films and VR experiences," Francesca Accinelli, Interim Executive Director and CEO, Telefilm Canada, said. "We are excited to participate in COP15 and be part of, and learn from, these important discussions. Knowledge-sharing is critical to change, and we will all benefit from better understanding how to support a more equitable, sustainable and accountable future together.”