Filmscape Chicago Spotlight: EcoFixr
Ecofixr: Championing Sustainability in Chicago’s Film and Events Industry
When Ellen began her career as a production manager in theater, she was struck by the sheer amount of waste produced behind the scenes—sets discarded after single productions, unused resources, and an overall disregard for environmental impact. This early exposure sparked a question that would eventually drive her career: How can we make production more sustainable?
From Stage to Set: The Birth of Ecofixr
After embedding sustainability efforts within her own theater productions, Ellen’s mission took on new urgency in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As productions paused and industries reassessed, she pivoted to film, where she found the environmental footprint to be even more significant. Construction materials, food waste, transportation, diesel generators—it all added up quickly.
As Ellen began researching environmental production services, she noticed a glaring gap: while the East and West Coasts had sustainability support for film, the Midwest—and particularly Chicago—was lacking. Sensing the need, Ellen committed herself to filling that void. She spent a year learning the ins and outs of the sustainability industry, ensuring that when her business launched, it would be ready to meet the fast-paced demands of film and commercial sets with professionalism and polish.
In 2024, Ecofixr was born.
Quietly Making an Impact
Ellen approaches her work with a unique blend of hospitality and humility. “We take pride in coming in and seamlessly integrating into the crew, rather than disrupting the process," she says. "We're not here to shame or get in the way; we are here to help."
That help starts with personalized meetings with clients to understand their needs and where sustainability efforts can be integrated. From there, Ecofixr provides a detailed sustainability report at the end of each production or event. This report not only highlights what has been done well but also offers actionable recommendations backed by data—a vital tool in an industry that rarely measures its own environmental footprint.
Films, Events, and Education
Though Ecofixr focuses primarily on film and commercial productions, it has expanded into larger events like corporate functions and festivals. The company has joined both the Green Wedding Alliance and Green Events Alliance, signaling a broader commitment to reducing landfill waste across industries.
One of Ecofixr’s standout partnerships is with Filmscape, Chicago’s leading film and TV expo. At Filmscape 2025, Ecofixr helped the event achieve an impressive 96% waste diversion rate, thanks in part to partnerships with organizations like Urban Canopy and IRS (Industrial Recycling Solutions). These groups, along with volunteers and Ellen’s leadership, turned the event into a hands-on sustainability learning experience for attendees.
Policy and Progress
Ellen is also advocating for systemic change. She has spoken with her representatives, as well as the Chicago Film Office, Chicago Department of Environment, and the Illinois Film Office. Seeing the need and value of sustainable filmmaking, the Illinois Film Office recently introduced an environmental production incentive—a proposed 5% tax credit uplift for productions meeting sustainability criteria. Though the measure passed in the House, it has yet to reach the Senate floor. Ellen remains hopeful that it will move forward in the Fall.
Meanwhile, Ecofixr continues to collaborate with California-based companies shooting in Chicago, many of which are already part of Green the Bid—a grassroots movement to promote sustainability in the advertising industry. Ellen encourages crew members and producers to advocate for sustainability even if a dedicated environmental consultant isn’t on set. "Education is key," she says. "If we build a collective voice, we can shift the entire industry."
A One-Woman Show—For Now
While Ecofixr is largely a one-woman operation, Ellen is building community wherever she goes. She regularly hosts educational events and panels, including a recent keynote appearance at Filmscape 2025 and an upcoming session at the Art House Convergence conference, where she’ll teach cinema operators how to green their theaters.
She also encourages people to get involved. Ecofixr’s newsletter shares volunteer opportunities, eco tips, and updates on sustainable events. For those looking to lend a hand, the Filmscape X Ecofixr volunteer form allows Ellen to train and empower the next generation of sustainability advocates in the film industry.
Looking Ahead
A full sustainability report for Filmscape 2025 has been completed and provides transparency into what was achieved—and where to improve next time. It’s all part of Ecofixr’s mission: to keep valuable resources out of landfills, make sustainability approachable, and ensure the Midwest film and events industry can evolve with the planet in mind.
As Ellen puts it, “There are always resources that can be rescued. What is measured is managed. The more accountability we have as an industry, the more we can drive positive change. We can be conscious of the bottom line while also caring for people and the planet. Also, who doesn't love the idea of taking resources we would normally throw out and giving them back to our community?”
Ecofixr is here to make sure we do just that.
If you’re interested in joining the Filmscape Chicago #GreenTeam and volunteering on behalf of the sustainability efforts at next years show, click here!
To view the EcoFixr report from Filmscape Chicago 2025, click here!
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