Pillar 1:
Ecological transition in the field of culture

Priority 1:
Reducing the use of resources and using sustainable public procurement

The Vienna Short Film Festival has introduced an innovative and meaningful alternative to traditional trophy formats. By dedicating a tree in Vienna to the winners, the festival is sending an important signal for climate protection.

 

Jürgen Czernohorszky, City Councillor for the Environment.

These “trophy trees” are located across Vienna, each marked with a plaque featuring a QR code that allows visitors to stream the corresponding award-winning short film directly on their smartphone while standing beside the tree. Building on this creative use of public space, the city’s film festival has also launched ‘Tree Trophy: Catch ’em if you can’, an augmented reality game that combines cinema with urban exploration.

Using gamification, the app turns the trees dedicated to the festival’s award winners into interactive landmarks scattered around Vienna. Players can track them down, learn about the films, and earn rewards such as cinema tickets and festival passes, making the experience both playful and engaging.