Wait, what exactly is Climate Lens Screenings?

Climate Lens Screenings is a curated selection of well-crafted and critically acclaimed films with narrative stories that - when made - had nothing to do with climate, yet when watched now “through a climate lens” or while purposely thinking about climate, contain meaningful connections to our climate reality.

What do these movies have to do with climate change?

Nothing. And EVERYTHING.  They weren’t made with climate change in mind, but they were created as we were changing the climate.

Think of an archaeological dig:  individuals from past cultures did not generally leave stuff lying around with the intent that we would find and attempt to interpret it in order to understand who they were (and not just who they thought they were). But that is what we are able to do with other cultural materials.  And despite the many limitations to that trans-generational dialogue, however imperfect our translations may be, they are still a remarkable and valuable source of information and narrative.  With regard to climate change and contemporary human society, we are operating from the awareness that (a) talking about climate change is critical to understanding and responding effectively to its impacts, so (b) we need all the narrative information and the collective engagement we can get to give us the best chance to respond and survive.

So how can I watch these films? Where are they playing?

The reality of how these films are owned, distributed and accessible today means that Climate Lens Screenings does not have the luxury of offering all these films in one place. Instead, they are available across all kinds of streaming services and offerings. We have included a “Watch Film” button on our site for each film which provides you with the most up-to-date and comprehensive list of options for you to watch each film. This way, you can choose which films are available on the services you already have access to or prefer most. And we are paying special attention as part of our curation process to ensure selected films are as broadly available as possible.

Do I have to pay to watch these films?

Possibly. We cannot control when these films are made available and whether their availability changes from one streaming service to another or from free to paid. Fear not! We will continue to focus on growing the list of films available so that the odds will be good that you can find films you are excited to watch and that are available for free or at a price you are willing to pay.

If there is a film you are excited to watch but for whatever reason requires a cost to you, we hope you will still consider the investment worth it. There are some incredibly compelling climate narratives that are not available for free and we believe that the cost of a rental or purchase of these films is SO worth the investment when you consider the results: empathy, epiphanies and climate catharsis that could help you contribute solutions to the climate emergency. Money well spent.

Are you making money from this?

No. Climate Lens Screenings is not a for-profit venture. In fact, we are spending money and volunteering an ENORMOUS amount of time to curate and share this selection of films and the climate conversation starter. We are not being paid to do this work. We are doing this because we believe it is useful and could make a difference. All costs associated with Climate Lens Screenings are covered by Pinecone Narrative Ventures, which has no plans to monetize the Climate Lens Screenings.

Why are you doing this?

Several reasons. We want more people to be able to enter the climate conversation from a fresh, shared perspective that is not overtly scientific, political or despairing, but instead genuinely engaging, thought-provoking and cathartic. We believe this more empathetic approach to the climate conversation is an undeserved and potentially powerful opportunity to help those already focused on climate action reframe and refresh their thinking, and those not engaged with climate action to be given a more approachable onramp to the conversation.

We see the need for more climate narratives across all forms of entertainment, but we also know how long it will take to scale the number of climate narratives we need. So while also waiting for those new climate stories , we are highlighting the number of climate narratives available in the vast library of incredible stories already told.   We find there the potential to capture hearts and activate  minds of broad audiences in order to focus our  attention on  accessible , nuanced conversations about climate.

We believe that unlocking the climate connections within these already celebrated narrative works has the potential to inspire more climate action by taking audiences from an awareness of climate problems to discussing the shared human components of the climate challenge to understanding and embracing collective solutions. We can be overwhelmed with the potential climate destinations humanity may arrive at; these films offer perspectives and insight into the ways we describe where we’ve already been, in a climate context.

How many of these non-climate “climate” films are there?

A LOT! We cannot give a specific answer to this question because we are constantly discovering new ones. Plus, people who are discovering Climate Lens Screenings are sharing more films they believe contain compelling climate connections - and we couldn’t be more excited about that. We will soon be adding a way for anyone to submit a film and share why they believe the narrative contains meaningful climate connections. Look for that addition to the Climate Lens Screenings site!

Is this an ongoing screening series? If so, when can I expect more?

Yes! We plan to continually add films as we are able to improve diversity, selection, genres and availability so that one day everyone can find films they want to watch and that are available to them.

The goal here is more climate conversations inspired by non-climate films, so we will continue adding films and climate conversation starters as long as we are able.

Look, I’ve been in the climate space for a long time and have some expertise here - why is this a productive use of my valuable time?

One of us started direct climate advocacy for a living in 2006, so we hear you. 

Chances are you spend a fair amount of time throwing yourself - your energy, your time, your intellect, your creativity - at climate awareness, solutions, advocacy, or all three.  Thank you for that.  Chances are also that your sustained hard work and your interactions have worn grooves or channels in your awareness that incline you (any of us) to think in specific ways, ways that naturally, necessarily limit what we can consider at any given moment.  Additionally, chances are you don’t easily turn your climate switches off.  Your climate lens is already securely in place (again, thank you).  But these movies won’t reach you through the well-worn channels of your climate knowledge and experience.  They’re really good movies that weren’t created to do that, but that WERE created to engage you as a human being and cultural participant.  While you’re enjoying that level of cinematic craft, your climate lens will be sorting through the narrative AND through the grooves in your awareness for climate change relevance.  That’ll happen in a different way and at a different pace than you’re used to and it could leave you with some new, but deep, insights regarding people and climate change.  You may also get a deserved break and enjoy a great movie at the same time.  You can shut down without shutting off.

I am already active in a number of climate efforts - I don’t have any spare time. Why should I also participate in this screening series?

Thank you for your active engagement in climate action. Take a look at the answer to question #9 above for starters. Perhaps you can treat this screening series as a chance to catch up on and expand your cinematic repertoire. If you’d take a couple of hours a month to watch a movie anyway, why not make it one of these? Maybe take a look at the conversation starters we provided before you watch and then see where you’re at when the movie ends. Maybe something new will be noodling around in your awareness as you finish the movie. Maybe something will be confirmed. Maybe you’ll be thinking of a question or two yourself. I don’t have a lot in common with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe (I’m not an evangelical Christian, I’m not a PhD atmospheric scientist, I’m not a woman), but I am thankful for her work and writing and I definitely agree with her that “the most important thing any of us can do to fight climate change is to talk about it.” Given your activity in climate efforts, this series may leave you with some ideas for talking with friends, relatives or colleagues about something you care about and may know a bit more about then they do. Maybe you’ll help them connect to climate change and to your work in a meaningful way.

Wouldn’t spending more time and energy making new climate films, or trying to get them made, be a better use of time and energy?

We’re game for that.  But more time and energy probably aren’t going to make enough new climate films in time to make the difference we all need to make right now.  We are choosing to start where we are, with what we already know and care about. 

It isn’t that climate change is not a technological or a scientific problem - it is.  But those are not accessible pathways for all of us to act or contribute right now.

Among other things, climate change highlights a cultural poverty of narrative imagination.  If watching these movies helps us understand and share insights about people and climate change and moves us closer to effective collective action, then that’s a good use of time and energy.  Because they’re all climate stories now.

And we need a lot more of them.

I’m not sure what I think about climate change - or that I even want to think about climate change - why should I watch these films?

Totally understood.  They’re excellent films, across genres, styles and generations.  Watch one for that reason.  

Then after you watch the movie, maybe read the first climate conversation prompt for that film and sit with it for a minute.  

Then, if you feel inclined, send a friend your response or a thought you have in response to the film and/or the prompt, along with a link to the website.

See what happens. Could be interesting. Might be fun. Can’t hurt.

I like seeing movies with others - wouldn’t scheduling these screenings as events make more sense?

We LOVE going to the movies and watching them in public with other people.  But, if we were to schedule these screenings as events, we would be dramatically limiting the number of viewers who were available on that day at that time.  By providing these films in the way people are used to consuming high-quality entertainment these days, we are improving the odds that more people can watch these films. 

We’re hopeful regarding the asynchronous nature of Climate Lens Screenings. The fact that anyone can watch any of these films on their own schedule maximizes their ability to enjoy each film and to focus on climate perspectives when watching.   By making access to these films more convenient we hope to empower more people to engage in climate conversations.

We focus first and foremost on the narratives, characters and the journey of each story to ensure that instead of just a “loose” climate connection, there are strong, meaningful climate connections at the very core of each film and we are excited by how many of these films there are across every available venue and streaming service.

What qualifies you to be the people doing this?

We don’t claim to be qualified. We want to do what we can right now. We do claim that significant potential exists in great films to serve as valuable and readily available tools for making sense of the complicated climate realities we face. They can serve as a more approachable onramp to climate conversations that require greater nuance and empathy. Climate Lens Screenings is about all of us as an audience and the potential that exists when we watch these films through a climate lens and start talking to each other about them. You (and we) are already qualified to do that.

Are you telling me that watching these movies IS climate action?

No. Watching these films and discussing their climate connections will NOT solve the climate crisis. We believe that climate action is best served when the WHY of climate action is explored. This is about looking around at cultural content in order to sharpen our focus when looking forward into a climate altered world. There are endless actions that must be taken based on our unique perspectives, positions and capabilities. Climate Lens Screenings is one tool for climate understanding and climate communication. We believe in the power of storytelling and its ability to empower climate understanding. The mission of Climate Lens Screenings is not only to inspire more climate action, it is to inspire more impactful climate action.

I am a fan and tried to get family and friends to watch these but they don’t seem to make it a priority - any helpful ideas or insight?

Ask them which movie they think YOU should watch.  If they’ll pick one and tell you, watch it (if you haven’t already).  After you’ve seen it, ask them what they liked or didn’t like about the movie itself.  Start with the movie, not with the climate.  The goal should be to keep them engaged and talking about the movie and to find out what they actually think about it.  Then ask them to pick the conversation starter associated with that film that they would like to ask you and see how YOU would respond.  See if that kills the conversation or fires it up.

Or…

Pick the movie YOU like best and ask them to pick a conversation starter to ask you.

I tried to explain it to a friend but they were confused - what is the “elevator pitch” that gets the best traction?

There’s no perfect pitch - everyone you share the Climate Lens Screenings with will be coming to this from a unique and different perspective. We suggest asking questions that will help YOU understand what angle might be the most effective for the individual(s) you are talking to. Some examples:
“Have you ever had a profound realization or memorable cathartic experience from a film?was it and from what film?”

“Can you imagine more of the population reading a report on climate impacts from human activity or watching a movie where characters behaved in ways that could have climate impacts? How invested are people in the conversations that result from each and why do you think that is?”

“If I could unlock a whole new way of thinking about solutions for the climate crisis in just 2 hours, would you be willing to try it?

It’s also possible that the individuals you are talking to are so invested in YOU that they would be willing to watch for you. Use this to your advantage and recommend the movie you think they’ll enjoy the most.

Ok I watched one of the movies. What do I do now?

Read the climate prompt questions accompanying that film.  

Any of them feel especially “right” or “wrong” in context of what you watched?

Follow that feeling. Why? What does that mean to you? Anyone you want to share your feelings with? Go ahead.  If they haven’t seen the film, share the website info with them and ask them to watch so you can talk with them after. 

Tell us what you thought.

What if I have an idea for a non-climate climate narrative film? Are you taking submissions?

Yes! We would love to be introduced to any additional films that you believe have compelling climate connection and themes in them. We are also interested in ideas for additional climate conversation starters to add to the existing ones we have on the site.
We are actively working on building submission capabilities for both the climate conversation starters as well as additional films for the curated list onto the website, so please keep checking in! Until we are able to add those submission capabilities to the site, feel free to email us at suggestions@climatelensscreenings.com.

I LOVE Climate Lens Screenings! How can I help?

First of all, THANK YOU! The good news is that there are many ways you can contribute:

1. HELP US GROW THE AUDIENCE - Tell your friends, family, neighbors, followers, ANYONE about Climate Lens Screenings Share the website, follow us on Twitter, text the films to everyone you can

2. HELP US CURATE MORE FILMS - Not every film will work for Climate Lens Screenings but there are SO MANY that could work. We appreciate ideas for new films and new perspectives contributing to the list. The more films we can offer, the greater the audience that can connect with one another and share more ideas for progress.

3. HELP US COME UP WITH MORE CONVERSATION STARTERS - Please share the thoughts that emerge from your conversations after watching these films. More meaningful conversation starters will lead to more meaningful climate conversations and that is the whole point of Climate Lens Screenings. 

4. HELP US CONNECT WITH MORE CLIMATE & FILM COMMUNITIES - If you are aware of any network or community that would be capable of collectively participating in Climate Lens Screenings, we want to know about them and explore the potential for collaboration. 

5. HELP US HELP YOU - Please share anything and everything that you think would improve Climate Lens Screenings. We welcome thoughts about what we are doing right and what we can do better. If there is anything we can do to improve please let us know how we can keep you engaged and make it easy for others to do the same.