MOTHER MARY has been nominated for the »Eisvogel – Prize«

»Eisvogel – Prize for Sustainable Film Productions.« is awarded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) and the Heinz Sielmann Foundation, in cooperation with the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM), to honor film productions that have prioritized sustainable production practices during planning and execution. The award is presented in collaboration with the Alliance of German Producers – Film & Television e.V., the Producers’ Association e.V., and other industry associations. The award ceremony will take place on February 12, 2025, in Berlin.

The filming of MOTHER MARY, starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel, took place over fifty days in Cologne and its surroundings, at MMC Studios, and in Oberhausen. Thanks to a carefully planned master location concept, the production was able to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions. Instead of traveling to Berlin with a large production team of nearly one hundred crew members, a small team captured the concert hall in Berlin using a 3D scanner.

For MOTHER MARY, the production allocated a "Green Premium Vendor Budget" to implement sustainable measures. To maximize the environmental impact of this budget, the production utilized the "Green Toolkit" software, which enabled the team to identify sustainable alternatives and link environmental benefits with cost calculations. Based on insights from this decision-support tool, electric vehicles were rented, and a battery-based power supply system was used instead of a diesel generator. Additional measures included a reuse concept for sets and props created for the film's production design.

For the first time in an international production, the carbon footprint was determined in accordance with the ISO 14067 standard. The ISO 14067 certification of MOTHER MARY was carried out by an independent auditor.

“A24 and augenschein Filmproduktion, in collaboration with Roman Russo and the Green Toolkit team, have delivered a groundbreaking sustainable production that sets international standards. Mother Mary is the first international film production to have its CO₂ footprint calculated according to ISO 14067 and independently verified through a third-party audit – a significant step towards greater transparency and accountability in the industry.

The zero-emission Butler M 150/150 battery system allowed the complete replacement of diesel generators, achieving substantial CO₂ reductions. Additional innovations, such as closed water circuit systems, the use of LED technology, and the harmonization of U.S. and German sustainability standards, demonstrate how technological and organizational solutions can work seamlessly together. This nomination underscores the Green Toolkit’s role as a data-driven solution for sustainable productions and highlights how independent ISO-certified audits are setting new benchmarks for the film industry.” Auri Jackson, Sustainability Manager, A24