Toolbox for Green Innovation

Case Studies / Portugal

Sustainability in “18 Holes to Paradise”: A Case Study on Wonder Media Films, Portugal

Flag of Portugal with green and red vertical stripes and a coat of arms in the center.

Production Country: Portugal, in co-production with Italy and Argentina
Production Year: 2025
Certificate: Green Film Certificate
Director: João Nuno Pinto
Producer: Andreia Nunes
Length: 110 minutes
Screenings/Premiere: Yet to be determined (film has just been finished)
Budget: 1.3 million
Funded by: Portugal: ICA, RTP, NOS, and the City Hall of Serpa
Italy: IDM (regional fund), Ministry of Culture, automatic tax credit
Argentina: Producer’s own investment
PR Material: In development

The Portuguese film market is one of the smallest in Southern Europe. To some extent, the industry can be seen as a milieu: it is a tapestry of SMEs, cultural associations, institutions, and a few international players. The industry has been historically characterized by precariousness, rudimentary conditions, strangled circulation, and underdeveloped marketing. Apart from a few exceptions, film activity (especially feature films) relies almost entirely on state support (along all the steps of the value chain) provided by the Instituto do Cinema e Audiovisual (Portuguese Film Institute) (see: Public Funding). In general, Portugal records low levels of attendance for domestic productions (among the lowest in Europe). The audio-visual sector has seen continuous growth since the 1990s and has been key to co-productions and the professionalization of actors, technicians and other staff.

Wonder Media Films is committed to sustainability both at the project level and as part of its company culture. They aim to make sustainable practices the norm for all future productions, regardless of whether a project pursues certification.

The decision to pursue a Green Film Certificate for “18 Holes to Paradise” was motivated by the film’s thematic exploration of climate issues, such as fires and water scarcity. The certificate serves as a concrete validation of their efforts and a tool to raise awareness about the feasibility of sustainable filmmaking.

To date, “18 Holes to Paradise” is the only production with a Green Film Certificate in Portugal. The production employed a dedicated team to ensure sustainable practices:

  • Green Consultants: Dörte Schneider Garcia (preparation) and Andreia Nunes (shooting)

  • Eco Assistant: was hired to collect data for the calculator and manage transportation

  • External Audit Company: To meet Green Film requirements

Working with sustainability has fostered a positive impact on the production, with the cast and crew demonstrating enthusiasm and support. The production team received briefings and training, and their active involvement contributed to achieving the sustainability goals.

Film production in Portugal is highly dependent on state support, with very few films (especially feature films) being made without funding provided by ICA or RTP. ICA is indeed the national film fund. When looking at an 8-year timespan, the number of public tenders has increased as well as the overall amount of public money distributed by ICA (from €14.7 million in 2014 to €22.9 million in 2022).

Concerning private investment, the numbers and the players are unclear, if and when they exist. However, many Portuguese films have benefitted from co-production schemes and other European incentives, such as EURIMAGES. It should also be mentioned that films with more popular tastes usually incorporate product placement and similar strategies to attract support from private investors. The investment from SVoD providers is still at an early stage so cannot yet be properly assessed.

In retrospect, the team would prioritize having a dedicated eco assistant focused solely on sustainability aspects and collecting data. They also emphasize the need for improved grid access and streamlined processes for obtaining power from local authorities.

The new sustainability initiatives were met with a positive response from the team, particularly the younger generation. Some older crew members initially perceived it as a “trend” but were ultimately supportive. The external audit process, although initially anxiety-inducing, instilled a sense of pride and accomplishment in the team.

While “18 Holes to Paradise” did not explicitly incorporate sustainability into its narrative, the production’s commitment to sustainable practices aligns with the film’s underlying themes about climate change and environmental challenges.

The production collaborated with external organizations such as Green Film and the Association of Green Consultants. They also engaged local suppliers and service providers, particularly for catering and equipment.

The production utilized the Green Film Certificate framework to measure the sustainability impact of their production, which involved data collection, calculation, and reporting.

While there are no specific mentions of local or international regulations directly influencing the sustainability journey of “18 Holes to Paradise,” the production’s adherence to the Green Film Certificate framework suggests an awareness of and alignment with industry best practices and standards.

The case of “18 Holes to Paradise” demonstrates Wonder Media Films’ pioneering role in sustainable filmmaking in Portugal, being the first production in the country to achieve the Green Film Certificate. Their experience proves that it is possible to create high-quality films while minimizing environmental impact and maximizing social responsibility, with only a modest effect on the overall budget. The project’s success, achieved through a combination of dedicated team members, external collaboration, and a willingness to challenge industry norms, sets a valuable example for other productions both in Portugal and internationally. While the journey involved some challenges - such as the need for improved infrastructure and initial skepticism from some team members - the overwhelmingly positive response, especially from younger crew, and the sense of pride following external audits, highlight the cultural shift underway in the industry. Wonder Media Films’ commitment to making sustainability a core part of their company culture suggests that this is just the beginning, with future projects likely to build on these achievements and further promote sustainable practices across the film sector.