EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES AND FUTURE LEADERS TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES THROUGH STORYTELLING
EnviroFest International (EFI) is a registered 501(c3) Foundation which uses the power of environmental documentaries to spark community action and deepen public engagement with sustainability and climate challenges. Founded in 2018 by award-winning filmmaker and educator Rebecca Cecil-Wright (MSc) and sustainability expert Leila Chennoufi (PhD), EFI bridges storytelling, cultural dialogue and environmental action.
What They do
Environmental Film Festivals
EFI organises dynamic film festivals, screenings and roadshows across the Global South including in Tunisia, Morocco, Cameroon and DR Congo. Festivals typically include;
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Screenings of inspirational and locally relevant films and documentaries.
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Panel discussions with scientists, policymakers and cultural leaders.
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Eco-Marketplaces that connect local NGOs, educators and innovators.
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Curated community discussions that aim to inspire collaboration and practical solutions finding.
The aim of each event is to inspire communities to come together and create a platform for sustainable ideas to take root and grow.
Sustainable Business Initiatives
They partner with leading business schools in Europe and North America, including TBS Barcelona, ISC Paris and Morgan State University (USA). Through film screenings, expert panels, workshops and networking, EFI seeks to equip future business leaders with the knowledge and confidence to integrate environmental responsibility into corporate decision-making.
Impact So Far
Since 2024, EnviroFest International (EFI) has:
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Engaged more than 9,000 participants across Africa, Europe and North America
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Delivered environmental film festivals in Tunisia, Morocco, Cameroon and DR Congo
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Hosted screenings, expert panels and eco-marketplaces connecting NGOs, policymakers, youth leaders and local businesses
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Expanded sustainability engagement into leading business schools in Europe and the United States
EFI’s work goes beyond raising awareness. Its film-to-action model is designed to catalyse collaboration, strengthen civil society and support long-term environmental change.
PICTURES
Turning Film into Public Engagement: Tunisia
Tunisia provides a clear example of EFI’s impact in practice.
Through 25 screenings and sustained partnerships with embassies, schools and ministries, EFI strengthened collaboration among environmental organisations and increased public understanding of plastic pollution and its social and ecological consequences.
This public engagement supported national efforts to reduce single-use plastics and contributed to sustained civic participation in environmental protection.
EFI’s approach focuses on:
Documentary → Public Dialogue → Civil Society Collaboration → Strengthened Environmental Stewardship
By creating accessible spaces for informed discussion, EFI helps communities engage constructively with environmental challenges and contribute to long-term, locally led solutions.
Measuring Impact
EFI measures success through:
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Post-screening audience engagement surveys
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Stakeholder feedback and partnership tracking
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Media monitoring and increased public discourse
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Documented examples of civic and policy engagement
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By combining cultural engagement with institutional partnerships, EFI ensures that its festivals do not end when the credits roll. They act as catalysts for sustained environmental action.