The Kalamata Creative Documentary Centre, a seasoned organizer of the Peloponnisos International Documentary Festival, pioneers the Solar Cinema Greece, an innovative initiative harnessing solar power to deliver a unique cinematic experience. 

Boasting a fully autonomous, mobile cinematic setup, Solar Cinema Greece is committed to broadening access to film, fostering environmental consciousness, and highlighting the critical importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources. Through the screening of documentaries and films, all powered by self-generated energy, the program specifically targets remote areas where access to culture and information is limited.

In its three-year tenure, Solar Cinema has surpassed 150 screenings across Greece, focusing on documentaries addressing environmental issues and climate change. Its reach extends beyond national borders, having traveled to Bilbao, Spain, to participate in the ZINEBI – Festival in November 2022. Further recognition of the program’s significance came in 2023, with its inclusion in the cultural program of ELEVSIS | EUROPEAN CAPITAL of CULTURE, as well as its presence at the Kardamily Art Documentary Festival and the Cinergo Film Festival. In 2024, Solar Cinema became an integral part of the Athens IFFF and Cinergo Film Festival events, cementing its position on the cultural map.

The implementation of Solar Cinema in Greece is the result of a fruitful collaboration with the Smart RUE Research Group and the Electrical Power Systems Laboratory of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens. The Laboratory has adeptly undertaken the installation and ongoing technical support of the equipment.

Solar Cinema Initiatives

Solar Cinema combines outdoor documentary screenings with educational programs designed for children, youth, and people with disabilities (PWD). The screenings feature award-winning documentaries by Greek and international filmmakers, providing high-quality audiovisual material. Screenings take place from May to September, taking advantage of favorable weather conditions.

The initiative aims to showcase the "Mobile Solar Cinema" as an alternative form of entertainment and environmental awareness, while also implementing educational activities centered on the environment. The ambition is to attract other municipalities and organizations to expand the program nationwide.

The program comprises two key pillars: the screening of documentaries and the delivery of interactive educational activities for children, youth, and PWD, with a focus on individuals with moderate intellectual disabilities. The screenings in large outdoor spaces, powered exclusively by solar energy, represent a groundbreaking experience that captivates public interest.

The program comprises two key pillars: the screening of documentaries and the delivery of interactive educational activities for children, youth, and PWD, with a focus on individuals with moderate intellectual disabilities. The screenings in large outdoor spaces, powered exclusively by solar energy, represent a groundbreaking experience that captivates public interest.

The educational activities, planned and implemented by environmental education professionals, aim to enhance the ecological consciousness of participants through a deeper understanding of major environmental challenges.

Exemplary Educational Activities

1. Create Your Environmental Map: Participants, divided into groups, embark on a journey to discover the environment of a specific area. Beginning at the Solar Cinema screening site, they explore the surrounding area, identifying plants, animals, and natural elements with the help of a topographical map. Young participants create the history or family tree of the flora and fauna they encounter.
2. Environmental Walk in Conjunction with Solar Cinema: A nature walk serves as a catalyst for discussion about ecology, natural resources, energy, the ecological crisis, and climate change. Participants, using mobile phones (camera, video recorder, audio recorder), document humanity's relationship with nature.

The seminar aims to awaken critical thinking in children regarding the reciprocal and binding relationship between humans and the natural world, at a time when the consequences of the ecological crisis are increasingly apparent. The seminar targets students in upper primary (ages 10-12) and secondary school. The participants' photographs are printed at the end of the activity and given to their creators.