Climate Challenge:
1.5 Degrees Films: Reflecting on Climate Change through Film
In September 2021, youth groups, schools, community organisations and individuals of all ages across Scotland were invited to create 90-second films in response to climate change in the run-up to COP26 in Glasgow.
Led by Film Access Scotland, the Climate Challenge: 1.5 Degrees Films project invited people from all backgrounds and filmmaking abilities to make films and share their thoughts and ideas about climate change and how it affects us as individuals, our surroundings, families and communities.
Films had to be under 1.5 minutes long, a number reflecting the 1.5-degree maximum limit that scientists are cautioning global warming should not rise above. People were encouraged to shoot their films on any technological equipment, including smartphones and tablets.
Online workshops were organised by Film Access Scotland to provide free filmmaking and climate literacy training over the course of six weeks for a diverse range of groups and organisations throughout Scotland.
The workshops were delivered through host organisations: Media Education (Edinburgh), Screen Argyll, South West Media Factory (Dumfries), GMAC Film (Glasgow), Station House Media Unit (Aberdeen), Screen Education Edinburgh, An Lanntair (Outer Hebrides), Plantation Productions (Glasgow), Keep Scotland Beautiful, Scottish Association for Marine Science (Oban) and their film tutors.
Representatives from community groups, youth groups, environmental groups, activist groups and arts groups registered to receive the practical training. These highly accessible online workshops gave the group representatives the knowledge and confidence to work with their group to make a 90-second film for the Climate Challenge.
Film Access Scotland and the host organisations were delighted with the results of the workshops, their engagement with new groups and communities and the response to the Climate Challenge across Scotland through film.
“The workshops were interesting, especially when we had a chance to have discussions. It really helps us learn, rather than just listening to someone speak. The best thing was building a bit more confidence before going to film.”
Ruby Seber, Workshop participant.
Film – Reclaiming The Land: The Urban Garden
12 workshops were delivered through 10 host organisations across Scotland and 100 organisations were engaged through participation.
10 film tutors delivered almost 200 hours of training, supporting participants to finish shooting and editing their films.
110
110 films were submitted to the Challenge
40%
40% of films were submitted from workshops with first-time filmmakers
50%
50% of the films were made by under 25 years olds including children of all ages.
A selection of the submitted films were showcased on high profile online platforms such as BBC The Social and The Scotsman.
Films were also screened at The Edinburgh Filmhouse Eco Weekender and a Civic Reception at the Glasgow Chambers during COP26.
In addition, a small group of young filmmakers (18-25 years old) who submitted 90-Second films to the Challenge were invited to showcase their work at the New York Times Climate Hub.
The young filmmakers’ films were screened to an audience at the Climate Hub and then they had the opportunity to discuss the making of their climate-focused films, their vision for the future and how they realised that vision through the live-action and animation genres.
The Climate Hub provided a fantastic platform for the Scottish filmmakers to share their thoughts on climate change through the powerful medium of filmmaking.
Film Challenge organisers and filmmakers on stage at the New York Times Climate Hub.
Image courtesy of Film Access Scotland
Film screening at the New York Times Climate Hub.
Image courtesy of Film Access Scotland
Films were submitted in a variety of filmmaking styles including live-action, animation and stop motion.
Tin-Kind by Joe Osborn
A Greener Way To Die by Erin Gilbertson
At the end of November 2021, the Climate Challenge: 1.5 Degrees Films and Youth Film Access Festival teams collaborated to present the Film For Future celebratory screening events in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
These special events showcased selected films submitted to the Climate Challenge and commendations were given to filmmakers in a variety of different filmmaking categories.
The winning films in each category were screened at the events and the winners received stunning trophies made of upcycled lenses designed by Otherscapes Studios.
Submissions received by young people aged between 16 and 25 years old will automatically be entered into our Youth Film Access Festival in February 2022.
Introductory speech at the Film For Future event in Edinburgh.
Image courtesy of Film Access Scotland.
Panel discussion at the Film For Future event in Aberdeen.
Image courtesy of Film Access Scotland.
“Filmmaking is something completely new that I decided to do during lockdown.
We had so much fun making it and I got the whole family involved.”
Harvey Pole on creating his award-winning film submission, Save the Mussels.
Save the Mussels by Harvey Pole
The Climate Challenge received more than 100 submissions in a variety of different filmmaking genres and formats including documentary, comedy, drama and animation.
Just under half of the submissions were from those who took part in the workshops, indicating how successful the workshops were in encouraging people with little or no filmmaking experience to create their very own short films.
The Climate Challenge: 1.5 Degree Films project gave people from all walks of life the chance to express their own thoughts and feelings towards climate change in a creative way, while also providing them with a platform for their films to be screened and their voices heard.
It is hoped that the films will continue to be shared and spark conversations around the climate crisis beyond COP26 and for years to come.
Film Access Scotland (SCIO) is a charity registered in Scotland - SC051146.