This time a year ago, Matt Ackermann had what he calls a “crazy idea.”
This idea became ESG & Impact Forum, which opened with a film festival on Wednesday showcasing 12 short documentaries and social-impact solutions from around the world. The two-day event was held in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP), which helped promote the festival.
Ackermann, who serves as director of multimedia at InvestmentNews, wanted to bring stories from around the world to a wider audience.
“ESG is the future of the financial advice industry,” he said in an interview with Karma at the U.N. Because of that, InvestmentNews is focusing more on ESG and impact investing verticals.
The film festival was spearheaded by only three people, who received support from a broader InvestmentNews team.
Throughout the two-day event, attendees and financial advisors said showing examples of sustainable businesses and innovative solutions spoke to their clients’ needs.
The final dozen films were selected out of 652 submissions from 77 countries, including 85 from India, the top-submitting country.
The films ranged from One Island directed by Mitra K. Bolouri Rasmussen, a profile of a small Danish island run on renewable energy, to The Bee Rescuer, which tells the story of a bee rescuer and social enterprise Bee Basket.
Ackermann and his team said they were thrilled with the turnout of about 100 people on festival night and the attendee response, some suggesting they take the show on the road.
“I hope they will find inspiration and want to inform their clients and show them what it is all about,” he said.
