Sustainable Urban Development Through Creative Film Industries: From Hollyłódź to Bollywood

This conceptual article explores how the film sector within the creative industries contributes to sustainable development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in post-socialist and postcolonial cities. It develops a framework linking the creative industries to the SDGs and applies it to the film sectors of Łódź (Poland) and Mumbai (India). The analysis shows how film production supports the environmental, social, and economic pillars of sustainability by fostering social inclusion, strengthening urban economies, and promoting environmental responsibility. The study also highlights the sector’s role in advancing green production practices and raising public awareness of sustainability issues. Overall, the analysis demonstrate that the film industry contributes to sustainable urban transformation, illustrating how cities can leverage their cinematic heritage to build cultural resilience, stimulate local development, and enhance social well-being.