Earlier this year, we partnered with Cinema Akil to upcycle the banner from their 10th annual Reel Palestine festival, a celebration of Palestinian storytelling through independent cinema. As the UAE’s leading platform for independent film, Cinema Akil uses Reel Palestine to bring these stories to audiences, sharing films, stories, and food while supporting a community of businesses and individuals united in the cause of uplifting Palestine through its struggle and persistence.
After the festival, we collaborated with Cinema Akil to give the Reel Palestine banner a second life by repurposing it into practical tote bags. Our mutual goal was to give attendees a way to carry the festival’s message forward while preventing the banner from becoming waste.
At the close of the festival, the Cinema Akil team removed the banner from the theater entrance and delivered it to our production team. Because of the banner’s distinct design, we were careful to ensure that each unique element was preserved in our totes. In the end, we produced 20 beautiful limited-edition Reel Palestine tote bags, each carrying a piece of the festival’s story. These bags have already made their way into the hands of festival-goers who are passionate about both cinema and sustainability.
Our collaboration with Cinema Akil reduced event waste and lowered the festival’s carbon footprint while supporting WAVA’s mission to extend the life cycle of materials. By transforming a single-use banner into functional bags, we helped ensure the festival’s impact continues beyond its screenings.
Got PVC waste? Let’s transform it into something sustainable and meaningful. Connect with us to collaborate and make an impact together.