• DVD, length 68 minutes
• Produced by Helena Norberg-Hodge, 2011
• Written and directed by Steven Gorelick, John Page & Helena Norberg-Hodge
• Narrated by John Page

Going local is the way to repair our fractured world -
our ecosystems, our societies and our selves.

Watch the trailer here. The Economics of Happiness is FREE TO WATCH on Vimeo and YouTube. Please consider supporting our work by making a donation to the filmmakers, Local Futures here.

The Economics of Happiness describes a world moving simultaneously in two opposing directions. On the one hand, government and big business continue to promote globalization and the consolidation of corporate power. At the same time, people around the world are resisting those policies – and, far from the old institutions of power, they’re starting to forge a very different future. Communities are coming together to re-build more human-scale, ecological economies based on a new paradigm – an economics of localization.

"A powerful film that cuts deeply to the heart of the global crisis. Magnificent!"

- David Suzuki, TV presenter and environmentalist

"This passionate film presents a clear and articulate vision of what a shift in the scale at which we do things would look like… timely and powerful."

- Rob Hopkins, co-founder of the Transition Town movement

"What's our favorite documentary of all time? The one film we wish everyone could see? Hands down, this is it. It is truly one of the most important and useful films for inspiring change that has been made in a generation."

- Films for Action

"This film connects the dots between climate chaos, economic meltdown, and our own personal suffering."

- Joanna Macy, author of World as Lover, World as Self

For more endorsements, see here. For a list of awards the film has received, see here.

Individual copies are for home/private use only. For discounts on multiple copies, email [email protected]. Price for institutions is US$130.00 plus US$20.00 for the DVD. For streaming rights, email [email protected].

You can also watch the film online on Vimeo on Demand.

Translations: The Economics of Happiness has been translated into 26 languages. For more information about obtaining a DVD of a translated version or watching one online, see here.

Discussion Guide: Our 74-page Discussion Guide and Companion to the film is available as a free PDF. This resource is designed for both educational use and for informal discussion groups. It follows the film, chapter by chapter, expanding on its arguments and pointing to a wealth of new resources for further learning, reflection and action.
Download the discussion guide PDF.

Host a Screening: As part of our commitment to supporting the growth of the localization movement, we encourage individuals and groups to organize community screenings of The Economics of Happiness. It is our hope that, through these events, the film can be a tool to initiate discussion and inspire local initiatives.
Learn more about hosting a community screening.