Climate Film Festival’s Narrative Change Summit

“We can’t solve new challenges with old solutions.”

Brands aren’t just selling — they’re stepping into the story.

Climate Film Festival’s Narrative Change Summit at #ClimateWeek explored how brand-sponsored films rooted in local communities can illuminate real solutions to climate change and its impact.

The real trick? Authentic, cinematic storytelling that balances artistry and advocacy while sparking action through human connection.

5 insights for leaders driving change through advocacy, storytelling and technology:

1️⃣ Let creatives lead, not brands – Directors, writers, and creators should shape the narrative. When brands play a supporting role in elevating critical stories, they protect the work's authenticity, boosting engagement and amplifying its power.

2️⃣ Start with the human story – The most compelling climate stories don’t start with data. They start with people — families, workers, communities — whose lived experiences make the issue real.

3️⃣ Intersectionality matters – Climate doesn't exist in isolation. It transcends housing, jobs, education, and civil rights. Great storytelling unpacks this complexity, allowing audiences to see themselves in the narrative and inspiring solutions that address systemic issues.

4️⃣ Long-term relationships build trust – One-off campaigns fade quickly. Investing in ongoing partnerships with creators and communities builds credibility, trust and cultural relevance over time.

5️⃣ Stories are tools for action – Beyond awareness, storytelling can shift behavior and even policy. Films and campaigns can spark measurable change by connecting policymakers, technology innovators and community leaders or issues that otherwise exist in silos.

Thank you to Climate Group and the Climate Film Festival for hosting insightful conversations in partnership with leaders from NAACP, Climate Power, The Solutions Project and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

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