During its runtime (from October 2024 to December 2025), our VISIONS OF SUSTAINABILITY film series at the Harmonie Arthaus Kino Freiburg focused on fostering a culture of sustainability that is integrated into people’s daily feelings, thoughts, and actions. As researchers, we wanted to understand how viewers react to the innovative ideas presented in individual films, how they reflect on their own personal circumstances in the process, and where they perceive obstacles to implementatiom. We therefore encouraged interested members of the public to actively participate in the film series, the accompanying events, and our research.

There were many opportunities to get involved in our project:

• Film screenings with expert discussions at the Harmonie Kino Freiburg and the accompanying events at the Freiburg Adult Education Center (vhs). Admission to all film screenings was free; the vhs events were either free or required a small nominal fee.
• All viewers had the opportunity to actively participate in our research, for example by taking part in the surveys about the films during the film screenings or by participating in a semi-structured interview on their experience some time after the events.
• At the end of each theme series, the research team presented its initial findings in a public lecture and discussed the implications with the participants.
• After each of our events, participants had the opportunity to provide feedback on the program right there on site.
• Through our monthly newsletter, we regularly shared information about new events, opportunities to get involved, and our research findings and publications.
• Throughout the project, we also posted regular updates on our Instagram account.

At the end of the project, the VdN team published a practical guide (only available in German) designed to help other organizers publicly screen documentary films on sustainability topics.

If you are a researcher interested in learning more about our transdisciplinary work in the project, please use the contact form to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you!