What I learned about sustainability through student filmmakers

On August 6th, I had the pleasure of attending the Digital Visions Festival, a collaborative event hosted by the Center for Arts, Migration & Entrepreneurship and the School of Theatre & Dance at the University of Florida. The festival was a free, community-centered celebration showcasing student-created short films, each exploring diverse interpretations of sustainability.

Initially, I found myself wondering: How do you even make a film about sustainability? Like many, I automatically associated the term with environmental issues, such as, climate change, pollution, contamination. It hadn’t occurred to me that sustainability could be anything beyond that. But early on, one of the artists shared a powerful insight: sustainability isn’t just environmental, it’s also cultural, mental, physical, and more. That moment shifted my perspective entirely. I realized sustainability encompasses so much more than I had imagined.

The films explored a wide range of themes: mental health and burnout, cultural reconnection, gun violence, healthcare, LGBTQ+ rights, social media attachment and detachment, waste, and beyond. I was genuinely moved by the diversity of topics and the personal, often vulnerable lens through which each artist approached their subject. It was clear that these films weren’t just assignments, they were deeply meaningful expressions of lived experience.

What stood out just as much as the art itself was the evident love and support the students received from their professors. Watching the faculty speak with such care, admiration, and respect for their students was truly moving. They talked about the importance of learning from their students, not just teaching them. Over time, the dynamic between teacher and student seemed to dissolve, replaced by something more personal, people sharing stories, vulnerability, and truth with one another. That mutual exchange of wisdom and experience was inspiring.

In a world that often feels like it's losing its grip on what sustainability really means, this event was a breath of fresh air. It offered a renewed sense of hope and purpose. I'm incredibly grateful to have witnessed such meaningful work and to have been part of a space that celebrates creativity, connection, and care.