NEW YORK — The Climate Film Festival (CFF), New York’s leading showcase for boundary-pushing climate storytelling, wrapped its second annual festival on Sunday and launched its first-ever one-day Narrative Change Summit on Monday, marking four days of powerful storytelling and dialogue just ahead of Climate Week NYC.
The four-day festival and summit, presented in partnership with the Guardian, opened with a special 25th anniversary screening of Erin Brockovich at the DGA New York Theater. Over the weekend, audiences gathered for two full days of screenings at Regal Essex Crossing, culminating in two sold-out screenings of Trade Secret, Sunday’s closing night film, which featured a conversation with Dr. Sylvia Earle and other world-renowned conservation leaders.
The festival concluded on Monday with the inaugural Narrative Change Summit at the SVA Theatre, bringing together filmmakers, artists, policymakers, and advocates to explore the role of storytelling in driving climate action.
This year also marked the introduction of new awards honoring innovation in kids’ programming and visionary leadership.
“Our second year is proof that there is demand for climate stories. We’re honored to celebrate this year’s winners, whose films reflect the creativity and courage needed to drive climate progress. None of this would have been possible without our dedicated team and volunteers, whose hard work and passion brought the festival to life,” said co-founder Dr. English Cook.
2025 Award Winners
- Audience Choice Award: Trade Secret
- CFF Visionary Award (new): Trade Secret
- Climate Action Award: How to Change the World: SAGE
- Documentary Feature: Black Snow
- Documentary Short: Herders at the Edge
- Horizon Award: Enraizados (Our Roots Remain)
- Narrative Short: There Will Come Soft Rains
- Seeds of Hope Award (new): Suzie Hicks the Climate Chick & Sprout
- Sustainability Award: There Will Come Soft Rains
- Youth Choice Award: Hot Soda
“Premiering Trade Secret at the Climate Film Festival during Climate Week was an extraordinary experience. One of the most impassioned and purpose-driven festivals in the world, it brought together powerful films and filmmakers telling stories to celebrate, expose, and educate the global community about the most urgent threats facing the natural world. It was a great honor to be part of the Climate Film Festival.” – Abraham Joffe, Director/Producer Trade Secret.
This year’s festival also celebrated a variety of conservation superstars, including the legendary Dr. Sylvia Earle, who presented the closing night film, Trade Secret. Prior to the film winning two awards, she stated that it is “a life-changing film” and encourages others to “watch this film, get others to watch this film, and look in the mirror and think about what you can do to bring about the right change at this right time in history.”
The second annual CFF drew hundreds of attendees and highlighted the festival’s unique mission: to shift the cultural narrative on climate change through the power of cinema. Alongside premieres and screenings, the Narrative Change Summit convened filmmakers, foundations, creative agencies, and nonprofit leaders to explore how stories can reshape public perception, funding pathways, and political will.
The Narrative Change Summit creates space for leaders across industries to reimagine the role of storytelling in climate action. And with new awards like the Visionary and Kids Programming honors, we’re shining a spotlight on the diverse voices and creative strategies needed to reach audiences of all ages,”said CFF co-founder Alec Turnball.
CFF was made possible with the support of the presenting media partner The Guardian and many others including: The Carmack Collective, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), Universal Pictures, Nespresso, Agog, Watershed, Climate Power, Earth Rising Foundation, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, SNØCAP, Tidal Vision, Pique Action, Earthrise Studio, and The Puffin Foundation. The festival logo and design come from Studio Rodrigo. Legal services are from Romanette Legal. Earth Angel is the sustainability partner. Ecodeo created the festival trailer. The Everset provided furniture. Edge Auto loaned electrical vehicle services. The marquee theater partner was Regal. Awards were hand-crafted by Fernanda Uribe-Horta. Business development services were provided by ImpactECI. Food and beverage in-kind partners include Bronx Brewery, Stumptown,Cafe d’Avignon, and Open Water. Screenings and events take place at DGA Theater, Regal Essex Crossing, Essex Market, and SVA Theatre.
This project is also made possible in part with funds from Creative Engagement, a regrant program supported by the funding agencies the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ), and the Howard Gilman Foundation, and administered by LMCC.
Resources
- The complete list of films and jurors is here.
- 2025 Festival photos will be uploaded here soon
In the coming days, the Climate Film Festival will release official attendance numbers, reflecting the scale and momentum of this year’s edition.
About the Climate Film Festival
The Climate Film Festival is fiscally sponsored by Ecologistics, a 501(c)(3) organization. Founded in 2023 by a multidisciplinary team of passionate climate professionals, artists, and curators, CFF rewrites the narrative on climate change by harnessing the power of motion pictures. Its mission is to bring together a diverse community of filmmakers, artists, students, experts, and general audiences through screenings, education, and workshops that platform traditional and experimental storytelling, empowering action toward a more sustainable future. Visit climatefilmfest.com and follow the Climate Film Festival on Instagram, Substack, and LinkedIn.
About Betancourt Group
Betancourt Group is a communications and marketing agency amplifying organizations, businesses, and creatives driving environmental and social impact. With expertise spanning climate technology, ocean conservation, sustainable materials, and the creative industries, we help purpose-driven leaders translate their mission into visibility through media relations, thought leadership, and digital storytelling. From global film festivals to cleantech ventures, our work bridges science, business, and culture to spark inspiration and positive change. For more, visit www.groupbetancourt.com