The BFI is continuing its commitment to embed sustainability across its venues, partnerships, funding and public programmes with a series of events at BFI IMAX for London Climate Action Week (21 –29 June). The focus highlights the role of film and storytelling in tackling the climate crisis to inform, inspire and mobilise audiences around one of the defining challenges of our time – with maximum impact on the biggest screen in the UK. As one of the most iconic cinemas in the world, BFI IMAX is also leading the way in cinema sustainability, including the early adoption of energy efficient heat pump technology.
The flagship event of the week, on 23 June, will be a free “In Conversation” event with creators of the acclaimed Netflix series Toxic Town, Jack Thorne and Annabel Jones, in which the pair will explore the power of storytelling in spotlighting environmental issues, hosted by BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra presenter Swarzy. Audiences will also be treated to a screening of There Will Come Soft Rains,a short film directed by Elham Ehsas that explores the impact of climate change, specifically rising sea levels, on a daughter’s relationship with her deceased father.
BFI IMAX will also host a screening of Fungi: Web of Life, an exploration of the hidden world of fungi narrated by Björk, and featuring acclaimed biologist, Dr. Merlin Sheldrake, with the latter taking part in a Q&A about the film. The event will be chaired by Keir Oldfield-Lewis, Head of Environmental Sustainability at the BFI, and will explore the remarkable role fungi play in the planet’s ecosystems. To round off the week, there will be a screening of Studio Ghibli’s beloved My Neighbour Totoro for the studio’s 40thanniversary introduced by Michael Leader and Jake Cunningham, authors and podcasters who have explored the wide world of animation on microphone and in print, joined by Arunee Sarasetsiri, Environmental Sustainability Partner at the BFI, who will speak to the film’s environmental themes.
Since resuming operations of the iconic BFI IMAX in 2022, following ten years of Odeon operation, it has made major strides toward energy efficiency and is a leader in sustainable cinema operations. BFI IMAX is one of the first cinemas in the UK, possibly the world, to be designed using heat pumps. The venue was originally built with this innovative technology in 1999, using four air-to-water reverse cycle heat pumps, a system that replaces traditional gas-based heating and cooling, using advanced refrigeration technology to efficiently regulate the building’s temperature. These heat pumps, alongside other incremental improvements to the sustainability of the venue, have seen BFI IMAX reduce its electricity consumption by 50% compared to the early 2000s, with consumption down by 18%since the BFI resumed operating the venue in 2022.
A key part of the efficiency gains has been optimising how air is supplied to the auditorium with ventilation rates now dynamically adjusted based on audience size, ensuring the space is only heated or cooled to the extent necessary. This occupancy-based adjustment is part of a broader commitment by the venue to sustainable and responsible building management.
BFI IMAX continues to set the standard for what’s possible in cinema sustainability — proving that innovation, efficiency, and exceptional audience experience can go hand in hand.
Madeleine Mullett, BFIIMAX Programme Manager, said: “BFI IMAX is the largest screen in the UK with over 20,000 admissions a year and it is our curatorial and cultural responsibility to showcase the climate crisis, the biggest issue we face, on such a powerful platform. Engaging audiences, from families and young audiences to large format IMAX fans, with the power of storytelling is how we can make the biggest and most positive impact.”
London Climate Action Week marks the latest in a landmark two years of increased successes with the venue cementing its status as a global powerhouse in cinema exhibition, ranking among the top five IMAX venues worldwide, under the guidance of the BFI. The venue consistently tops UK box office charts on opening weekends and frequently leads IMAX venues globally for major releases.
As London’s premier destination for both blockbuster sand culturally resonant cinema, BFI IMAX boasts the UK’s largest screen, exceptional sound, and cutting-edge technology including IMAX laser projection and IMAX 70mm film. The venue has become a go-to for filmmakers such as Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, Ryan Coogler and Todd Phillips to showcase their work specifically on large format celluloid prints. In the past year, BFI IMAX has hosted major titles such as Dune: Part Two, Gladiator II, Sinners and Furiosa, and led the global IMAX box office for several. It also hosted high-profile public events with recent special guests including Demi Moore, Timothée Chalamet, Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Ryan Coogler, Michael B Jordan, Hans Zimmer, Alfonso Cuarón, Jonathan Glazer, and Francis Ford Coppola and, most recently, as part of a celebration of his work, Tom Cruise, which saw the superstar take to the roof of the iconic venue for a photo stunt to promote Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
Red carpet premieres hosted at BFI IMAX in the past year have featured stars such as Nicole Kidman, Ryan Gosling, Winston Duke, Anya Taylor Joy, Andy Serkis, Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hardy, reinforcing the venue’s status as one of Europe’s most prestigious cinemas. With a dynamic programme spanning blockbusters to curated screenings, BFI IMAX remains a vital force in championing the theatrical experience in the heart of London.
