On Friday, May 16, the Ecoprod Award was presented for the fourth time during the Cannes Film Festival. Created in 2022, the award honors feature films produced in the most
environmentally responsible way possible. Given the high quality of this year’s submissions, the jury chose to present three awards. The ceremony was held at the Film France/CNC pavilion in partnership with Film Paris Region and Région Sud.
Out of 18 films in competition—twice as many as in 2024—the jury selected three to spotlight.
The 2025 Ecoprod Award was presented to:
● Jeunes Mères by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, produced by Les Films du Fleuve (Official Selection)
The Jury Prize went to:
● Laurent dans le vent by Anton Balekdjian, Léo Couture, and Mattéo Eustachon, produced by Mabel Films (ACID selection)
A Special Mention was given to:
● Amour Apocalypse by Anne Émond, produced by Métafilms productions (Directors’ Fortnight)
The jury, chaired by screenwriter and director Carine Tardieu, included filmmaker and actor Maurice Barthélemy, climate justice activist Adélaïde Charlier, The Good editor-in-chief Émilie Kovacs, green production coordinator Mathieu Thill, and Géraldine Toitot, production administrator and impact manager at Cinéfrance Studios. The jury praised the number of
selected films and the ambition behind their sustainable production efforts.
Adélaïde Charlier : “I was deeply impressed by the work done by all the productions applying for the Ecoprod Award. But I also noticed that most of them were smaller productions. I call on larger-scale films to also take part in this movement. The challenge is immense—but necessary. Seeing all productions commit to environmental responsibility would send a
powerful message. Every film at Cannes should compete for the Ecoprod Award!”
“Cinema bears a huge responsibility in the face of the climate crisis. Through its narrative power and real-world impact, the industry can accelerate the transition—provided it commits at every stage of production.” Émilie Kovacs, member of the 2025 Ecoprod Jury.
ECOPROD AWARD : JEUNES MÈRES
The Ecoprod Award went to Jeunes Mères, directed by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne and part of the Official Selection. The jury recognized the long-standing commitment of their production com
This award also honors the Dardenne brothers’ historical engagement with environmental and ethical filmmaking and highlights the critical role directors play in driving sustainability in the industry.pany, Les Films du Fleuve, which has implemented a comprehensive, cross-cutting green production strategy over the years—and had another film in competition this year.
Carine Tardieu: “We’re rewarding this particular project, but truly, it’s their entire body of work and production approach since the beginning that we’re celebrating. I hope that if the
Dardennes receive another award at Cannes, they’ll mention this one too—and encourage others to follow their example.”
The Jeunes Mères team fully embraced green production practices, from pre-production onward. The shooting schedule was organized around a single main location to limit equipment transport and energy consumption, supported by a site security system. The production also collaborated with responsible suppliers, including a catering team that offered two vegetarian meals a week using seasonal and organic products.
Minimal set construction was required, as the film was shot in a real mother-and-child shelter. This reduced material use, waste, and costs. The set designer, experienced in repurposing, reused set elements from previous productions. Props such as baby equipment and children’s furniture were donated to the shelter and nearby daycare after filming.
The Dardenne brothers’ artistic choices align naturally with sustainable filmmaking—particularly their minimalist use of artificial lighting, consistent with their realistic
aesthetic.
Jeunes Mères was also awarded two stars under the Ecoprod Label, recognized by ADEME and audited by AFNOR Certification.
Synopsis: Jessica, Perla, Julie, Ariane, and Naïma are teenage mothers living in a shelter that helps them rebuild their lives. Together, they hope for a better future—for themselves and their children.
JURY PRIZE : LAURENT DANS LE VENT
The jury was moved by the overall coherence of Laurent dans le vent’s green production strategy. Presented in the ACID selection, the film was directed by three filmmakers—Anton
Balekdjian, Léo Couture, and Mattéo Eustachon—who were determined to make the film ethically, with respect for both their crew and the environment.
Their goal was to approach filmmaking on a human scale, intentionally reducing their footprint and stepping away from conventional industry standards. The team worked with a small crew, no heavy machinery, minimal equipment, and all-natural locations. This light and intentional approach gave them great creative freedom.
Mathieu Thill: “I was really touched by the soulfulness of this project. The directors embraced green production in a way that felt natural—working with what they had, without seeing it as a constraint.”
At the filmmakers’ request, the set was fully vegetarian—an effective way to cut meal-related carbon emissions by more than 75% compared to meat-based catering (source: Ecoprod).
Transport emissions were minimized through meticulous pre-production planning. All filming locations were within 15 kilometers of the team’s shared housing. With everyone staying in a communal lodge, carpooling was organized daily in coordination with the assistant director.
Costumes and set design were sourced exclusively from reused materials, chosen not only for budget reasons but also for their unique, pre-worn aesthetic. The production partnered with local resource centers La Ressourcerie de Pralong in Embrun and La Basse-Cour in Briançon—a community hub providing housing, workshops, and support to marginalized individuals—which supplied reclaimed materials and helped recycle all props after filming. No hair or makeup was done during production to emphasize the cast’s natural look. Ultimately, all of this supported the artistic direction of the film.
Synopsis: At 29, Laurent is adrift—jobless and homeless—when he stumbles into a deserted ski resort in the off-season. He gradually connects with the few residents he meets. But when winter arrives and the tourists flood in, Laurent has nowhere left to go.
SPECIAL MENTION : AMOUR APOCALYPSE
The jury awarded a special mention to Amour Apocalypse, directed by Anne Émond and featured in the Directors’ Fortnight. During production, a “green committee” was created,
composed of an actor, a production team member, a crew technician, and a logistics coordinator. This committee sent out weekly “green updates” to the entire team, reporting on
sustainability initiatives taken during the shoot.
“I thought it was brilliant that they created a green committee… It shows that sustainability isn’t the job of just one person—it’s a team-wide effort. I think every film should have one.” – Adélaïde Charlier
The team made sustainability a priority from the outset, choosing only compostable, recyclable, or reusable items. When that wasn’t possible, they sourced the most sustainable alternative. The sets were designed with recyclable or recycled materials, and their post-production life was also planned. For example, a giant statue built for the film was made from recycled materials and later donated to a nature museum. The production team also implemented a composting system and established a permanent collection point that will be reused on future projects.
The jury also commended the long-standing commitment of Métafilms, which systematically integrates green production across its projects.“The film Amour Apocalypse deals with
eco-anxiety and climate change. From the writing stage, we were mindful of our environmental impact,” noted the production team.
The film was certified by On tourne vert, an organization supporting Quebec’s film and TV industry in its green transition.
Synopsis: Adam, a kind-hearted kennel owner, orders a therapeutic solar lamp to help ease his climate anxiety. This leads him to Tina, a radiant woman whose voice soothes all his fears.
