September 19–22 festival returns during Climate Week NYC with 51 bold films, special guests,
and four days of transformative programming on climate storytelling
WITH SUPPORT FROM THE GUARDIAN, PRESENTING MEDIA PARTNER
NEW YORK — The Climate Film Festival (CFF), New York’s leading showcase for boundary-pushing climate storytelling exploring the power of narrative to shape climate action, returns September 19–22 during Climate Week NYC. With support from presenting media partner the Guardian, the 2025 festival features 50 films and 31 premieres, alongside a full slate of screenings, interactive programs, public conversations, and partner activations. After a successful inaugural edition that drew over 2,000 attendees to 60 screenings, the festival has added a fourth day of programming focused on Narrative Change. For the full schedule and ticketing, visit climatefilmfest.com.
In addition to its film slate, the Climate Film Festival will present a robust lineup of free public programs, partner activations, and industry events, including a live pitch competition, sessions on screenwriting, funding and distribution, measuring impact, and sustainable filmmaking practices, as well as opportunities for networking and collaboration across sectors.
2025 Festival Calendar Highlights
- Friday, September 19 Opening Night, DGA New York Theater,110 W. 57th St. – The festival kicks off with the 25th anniversary new 4K remaster of Erin Brockovich, presented in partnership with Universal Pictures. Conversation to follow.
- Saturday and Sunday, September 20–21 Screenings Regal Essex Crossing, 129 Delancey St. – Two full days of finalist screenings across 18 programs. The weekend concludes with the NYC Premiere of Trade Secret, directed by Abraham Joffe, a sweeping global exposé of the legal trade in polar bear pelts, and the powerful institutions complicit in it.
- Saturday and Sunday, September 20–21 Public and Industry Programs, Essex Market, 88 Essex St. – Over nine live sessions, including panels, workshops, and partner activations, on climate storytelling, sustainable production, distribution pathways, and more.
- Sunday, September 21 Awards Night – Sponsored by NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), venue TBA – This evening features five juried prizes honoring outstanding work across Feature Documentary, Short Documentary, Short Narrative, Student Choice, and a special Horizon Award for filmmakers under 30. Winners will be selected by a distinguished panel of leaders in film, journalism, climate justice, and the creative industries. The full lineup follows below.
- Monday, September 22 Narrative Change Summit, SVA Theatre, 333 W. 23rd St. – This full-day summit brings together filmmakers, foundations, creative agencies, and nonprofit leaders to explore strategies for reshaping climate narratives. Full agenda TBA.
The Climate Film Festival was co-founded by Alec Turnbull and J. English Cook. They launched CFF events in 2023 bringing together filmmakers, audiences, and changemakers to spark dialogue, shift narratives, and empower action toward a more sustainable future.
“Reimagining our conversations around climate couldn’t be more important, especially at this moment,” said Turnbull. “CFF showcases bold storytelling that moves beyond familiar tropes and makes climate accessible. Our mission is to platform powerful films that engage the 89% of people who want more action on climate change. When people see themselves in these stories, they don’t just witness climate challenges, they become part of the solution.”
Partners and Presenting Media Sponsor
The Guardian returns as the exclusive presenting media partner of the 2025 Climate Film Festival. Guardian journalists Dharna Noor will moderate a festival panel, and Alaina Demopoulos joins the 2025 jury. “The inaugural Climate Film Festival was a huge success and we are proud to be the media partner again this year. We look forward to showcasing the work of brilliant filmmakers and the brands that support them,” said Sara Badler, chief advertising officer, North America, the Guardian. “The Guardian, a certified B-corp, publishes a new environmental piece every three hours and stands at the forefront of climate crisis reporting. Together with the Climate Film Festival, we are dedicated to driving positive change.”
“The stories at the Climate Film Festival are challenging the status quo, elevating important ideas, and accelerating the culture change we need for a breakthrough in climate progress,” added Katy Jacobs, director of entertainment partnerships, NRDC. “We need these storytellers now more than ever.”
Additional support for the festival comes from Universal Pictures, The Carmack Collective, Earth Rising Foundation, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, The Puffin Foundation, Nespresso, and ImpactECI, with more to be announced. The festival logo and design come from Studio Rodrigo. Regal is the marquee theatre partner.
“The way we frame the challenges of climate change, and how we discuss the opportunity of action, has never been more critical. That’s why we’re delighted the Climate Film Festival is returning as an official partner of Climate Week NYC this year. The films, discussions, and activations at the Climate Film Festival are central to bringing the stories of the impacts of climate change to the core of the conversation. We look forward to working together, engaging with an even wider audience, and ensuring every voice is heard,” said Adam Lake, head of engagement, Climate Group North America.
Full List of Films and Jurists
Feature Documentary
- Black Snow, Dir. Alina Simone
- Climate in Therapy, Dir. Nathan Grossman, U.S. Premiere
- Firebreak, Dir. Kenzie Bruce, NYC Premiere
- Future Council, Dir. Damon Gameau, U.S. Premiere
- Raising Aniya, Dir. John Fiege, NYC Premiere
- River of Grass, Dir. Sasha Wortzel
- The Jungle, Dir. Matt Wechsler, NYC Premiere
- The White House Effect, Dir. Bonni Cohen, Pedro Kos, Jon Shenk
- Trade Secret, Dir. Abraham Joffe, NYC Premiere
Feature Narrative
- The Wolf, the Fox, and the Leopard, Dir. David Verbeek
Short Documentary
- Atharaka, Dir. Simon Mitambo, East Coast Premiere
- Beni Youth, Dir. Raphael Schanz, Philipp Seifert, North American Premiere
- Bit By Bit, Dir. Theingi Win Tin, North American Premiere
- Enraizados (Our Roots Remain), Dir. Sélim Benzeghia, Ivonne Serna, East Coast Premiere
- Guilt Trip, Dir. Orban Wallace
- Herders at the Edge, Dir. Delgerzaya Delgerjargal, NYC Premiere
- Indai Apai Darah, Dir. Kynan Tegar
- Kelp Currency, Dir. Michael Stewart, East Coast Premiere
- Ngarridurndeng Kured, Dir. Dean Yibarbuk, Emma Masters
- Peixinho (Little Fish), Dir. Kaushiik Subramaniam
- Portrait of a Seaweed Farmer, Dir. Jeff Siebert, East Coast Premiere
- Qotzuñi: People of the Lake, Dir. Gastón Zilberman, Michael Salama
- Reindalen, Dir. Morgan Heim, NYC Premiere
- SHIRINGA: Fashion Regenerating Amazonia, Dir. Emma Hakansson
- Sayu-Limpia (Clean Up Sayu), Dir. Greer Fawcett , NYC Premiere
- The Birdman of Skomer, Dir. Edo Dzafic, NYC Premiere
- The Instability of Clouds, Dir. Zazie Ray-Trapido, NYC Premiere
- Unfenced, Dir. Wiktoria A. Ciesielska, North American Premiere
- Wild Hope: Building for Birds, Dir. Sam LeGrys
Short Narrative
- A Little Story About Forever, Dir. Max Romey, NYC Premiere
- Everything is Fine, Dir. Areeya Jitaree, North American Premiere
- HOT SODA, Dir. Nello DiGiandomenico
- Kataw, Dir. Alyssa Ashley Manugas, U.S. Premiere
- Kuhaan, Dir. Vinati Makijany, World Premiere
- O Jardim em Movimento (The Moving Garden), Dir. Inês Lima, NYC Premiere
- The Human Fossil, Dir. Rebecca Huang
- The Last Garden, Dir. Eloise Jenninger, North American Premiere
- The Persistence of Memory, Dir. Genevieve Hannelius, Zulema Young-Toledo
- There Will Come Soft Rains, Dir. Elham Ehsas, East Coast Premiere
Episodic
- How to Change the World | SAGE, Dir. Nicholas Mihm, World Premiere
- Next Gen Chef: Season 1, Episode 6. Baking the Grade
- Suzie Hicks the Climate Chick & Sprout, Dir. Morgan Dameron, World Premiere
Experimental
- Alheio, Dir. Pedro Paulo Araujo, North American Premiere
- Common Pear, Dir. Gregor Božič
- Dear Phonocene, Dir. Mélia Roger, U.S. Premiere
- Dreamland, Dir. Tehya Jennett, Maxfield Biggs
- Extra Life (and Decay), Dir. Stéphanie Lagarde, U.S. Premiere
- Red Wolf in Time Out, Dir. Dave Russo
2025 Festival Jury
- Abre’ Conner, director, center for environmental and climate justice, NAACP
- Alaina Demopoulos, daily features writer, the Guardian US
- Aldo Juraidini, design director, Studio Rodrigo & founder, Cinema Rodrigo
- Ali Ciatti, climate & sustainability creator partnerships, YouTube
- Caleb Smith, resiliency coordinator, WE ACT for Environmental Justice
- Chandra Simon Ritvo, sustainability & storytelling, Netflix
- Cheryl Slean, US lead, Climate Spring
- Colby Minifie, actor, Fear the Walking Dead, The Boys
- Harry Winer, arts professor, NYU & Executive Board, Green Film School Alliance
- Jamil Ellis, CEO & founder, Unified Ground
- JaRel Clay, associate senior director of digital and production, Hip Hop Caucus
- Jeannette Williams, COO, Urban Future Lab
- Jessica Harrop, executive director, Sandbox Films
- Dr. Len Necefer, Ph.D., CEO & founder, NativesOutdoors
- Nakorn Chaisri, artistic director, Changing Climate, Changing Lives Film Festival
- Nancy Rosenthal, founder & executive director, New York WILD Film Festival
- Rebecca Strawn, senior associate, entertainment partnerships, NRDC
- Ricky Benavidez, director, The Carmack Collective
About The Climate Film Festival
The Climate Film Festival (CFF) is a nonprofit cultural organization and annual film festival held in New York City during Climate Week NYC. Founded in 2023, CFF uses the power of storytelling through cinema to reshape the conversation around climate change, making complex issues accessible and inspiring audiences toward action. Each year, CFF presents a diverse slate of narrative features, documentaries, shorts, and experimental works, accompanied by filmmaker discussions, educational programming, and the Narrative Change Summit, fostering dialogue among artists, communities, policymakers, and sustainability experts. Its mission emphasizes narrative transformation, environmental justice, community engagement, and amplifying innovative voices in climate media.The Climate Film Festival is fiscally sponsored by Ecologistics, a 501(c)(3) organization. Visit climatefilmfest.com and follow the Climate Film Festival on Instagram, Substack, and LinkedIn.
About the Guardian
The Guardian is a global, reader-funded news organization committed to high-quality journalism, progressive values, and editorial independence. Founded in 1821, the Guardian is renowned for its rigorous reporting and commentary on politics, the environment, social justice, sports, wellness, and culture geared for a global audience. In the US, the Guardian has more than 100 editorial staff members across its bureaus in New York, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles. Its agenda-setting journalism draws an audience of more than 40 million US readers every month, making it one of the top news sites in America. The Guardian’s US newsroom has been recognized with several awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for its investigation into widespread secret surveillance by the National Security Agency.
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