This article is published in collaboration with The MeshMinds Foundation.

Six of the top 20 polluters of marine litter are in Southeast Asia, making the region a plastic pollution hotspot.

Following the success of  its 100 Days to #BeatPlasticPollution campaign, creative technology studio MeshMinds continues the advocacy with short film, “(PLASTIK),” to raise awareness about the plastic pandemic.

The studio commissioned film company, Studio Birthplace, to work with a Southeast Asian cast and crew to produce a visual narrative of hyperrealistic glimpses into a plastic-polluted future. The short film is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and SEA circular, an initiative from UNEP and the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia to inspire market-based solutions and encourage enabling policies to solve marine plastic pollution at source.

Focused on Southeast Asia, “(PLASTIK)" narrates the social implications of plastic pollution to drive behavioral change among the youth to say no to single-use plastic.

The film will have its global premiere on World Environment Day on 5 June.

Ripple effect

“During ‘100 Days to #BeatPlasticPollution,’ we focused on the exponential power of individual action in an interconnected world powered by social media. We wanted to continue highlighting that even with one small habitual action to avoid single-use plastic, we can create a ripple effect in our communities. We hope that in producing a short film for social media with a Southeast Asian cast and crew, we can deepen engagement and catalyze long-lasting behavior change among youth in this region to take individual and collective action to end plastic pollution,” said Kay Vasey, founder of MeshMinds.

The film was shot in Sepang, Malaysia.

In making the shot film, Studio Birthplace provided meals without the use of single-use plastics and required the crew to use their own reusable water bottles, while opting for digital call sheets and scripts. Carbon emissions from transportation during the shoot days were calculated and compensated 150% through tree planting.

“We hope that this story can help audiences imagine the unimaginable future and inspire them to be more conscious consumers for future generations who deserve a healthy environment,” said Sean Lin, co-founder of Studio Birthplace.

Help spread the word about “(PLASTIK)” using MeshMinds' social media toolkit. Register here to watch the global premiere and join a panel discussion.