[IDEAS FOR GOOD] Event Report | Screening of the film Repair Café held during Circular Economy Week in Utrecht, the Netherlands

On March 19, 2025, we hosted a screening of our original short documentary Repair Café as part of Circular Economy Week in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The event took place at Het Hof van Cartesius, a creative and sustainable hub known for showcasing real-world circular economy practices. The screening was included in the official program of UP Utrecht, a local initiative promoting reuse, repair, and regeneration in the city and surrounding areas.

Photo by Kasper Klokman

UP Utrecht is a collaborative platform run by circular organizations and enterprises such as Emmaus Haarzuilens, Kringloop De ARM Utrecht, Buurman Utrecht, Het Hof van Cartesius, and WIJ 3.0. With additional support from the Municipality of Utrecht, the Reuse Alliance, and the global Repair Café network, UP facilitates a diverse program of hands-on workshops and thought-provoking sessions that encourage practical engagement with sustainability.

The screening of Repair Café invited the audience to explore the deeper meaning behind the movement. Set in Amsterdam—the birthplace of the Repair Café—the documentary follows the daily work of volunteers who repair broken electronics, clothing, and bicycles. More than just a portrayal of sustainability in action, the film highlights the emotional connections formed through acts of repair and the quiet resilience that underpins a more circular society.

Photo by Kasper Klokman

After the screening, a panel discussion was held with the film’s director and creative lead, Masato Sezawa, joined by sustainability advocates Soenita Bhaggoe and Pauline van Norden. Together, they reflected on how the simple act of repair can help rebuild not only broken objects, but also memories, relationships, and our sense of connection with the things we own. The audience responded with great enthusiasm, many expressing how the film challenged their assumptions about consumption and waste.

As one attendee shared on LinkedIn:
“Beyond fixing broken items, it wove a story of community, resilience, and sustainability that resonated deeply with me… The mindset shift? Imperfection isn’t failure—it’s a chance to create something better. In a world obsessed with new and shiny things, this feels revolutionary—a new lifestyle where repair is incredibly cool, practical, and deeply human.”

Photo by Kasper Klokman

Among the many sessions during Circular Economy Week, Repair Café stood out as a storytelling experience that touched hearts and inspired action. While the surrounding workshops provided tangible skills and techniques for repair, the film complemented them by offering a reflective lens on the cultural and emotional power of mending what we often consider disposable.

We sincerely thank everyone who attended the screening and all those involved in making the event possible, especially our collaborators at UP Utrecht.

Repair Café is scheduled for additional screenings across the Netherlands, Japan, and beyond. If you are interested in hosting a screening at your community space, organization, or event, please visit the dedicated page below for more information.

[Related Page] Special Site for The Repair Cafe | IDEAS FOR GOOD (in Japanese)
[Related Site] IDEAS FOR GOOD (in Japanese)
[Related Site] UP Utrecht公式ページ（Circular Economy Week）