The 17 goals were adopted in 2015 by the United Nations as part of the Agenda 2030. They put the focus on the big challenges of our time, such as hunger, poverty and peace as well as the consumption of resources and climate change. The realisation of these goals depends on everybody – governments, corporations, organisations and individuals.

The River Film Festival highlights the special responsibility of the culture and film industry in achieving these goals. The festival’s dedication is evident in the examples of six goals: quality education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), industry, innovation, infrastructure (SDG 9), sustainable consumption, and production (SDG 12), climate action (SDG 13).

SDG 4: CULTURAL EDUCATION AS A KEY TO THE FUTURE

The wide range of international films screened at the River Film Festival has the potential to show links to a fair and sustainable future, to provoke debate and inspire new ways of looking at and thinking about the world. Art and culture also have the ability to speak to people on an emotional level.

SDG 5: COMMITMENT TO GENDER EQUALITY

Since its foundation in 2006, the festival has generated ideas and visions for a diverse world. The promotion of diversity includes the recognition of queer cinema. In the composition of the staff and juries, gender equality is an important goal.

SDG 7: AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

The festival venue has achieved full CO2-neutral energy autonomy through photovoltaics as early as 2022. We are preparing energy-saving solutions for the mobility of our staff, filmmakers and jury members with electric bikes.

SDG 9: IMPETUS FOR THE FILM INDUSTRY

The festival venue has achieved full CO2-neutral energy autonomy through photovoltaics as early as 2022. We are preparing energy-saving solutions for the mobility of our staff, filmmakers and jury members with electric bikes.

SDG 12: REUSE, REDUCE, RECYCLE!

To minimise resource consumption, the River Film Festival is increasingly relying on environmentally friendly alternatives and the recycling economy. The motto for 2025 will be: ‘Bring your own glass!’. This will save several hundred kilograms of waste.

SDG 13: ACTIONS AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

The preservation of biodiversity and the restoration of natural ecosystems are at the heart of the themes addressed by the Anthropocene section, with which the festival contributes to promoting critical knowledge and awareness.