ActNowFilm: Youth Climate Leaders as Agents of Change

The 2024 ActNowFilm weaves together the insights of global climate experts with the narratives and actions of young people from across the world.

About the film

ActNowFilm is an international youth voices in climate change film project, run by the University of Bath Institute for Policy Research (IPR) and Cambridge Zero.

The 2024 film weaves together the insights of global climate experts with the narratives and actions of young people from across the world. Telling a story of impact and agency, it demonstrates the global and interconnected nature of the climate crisis. It highlights the imperative need for ambitious climate action and calls for the official integration of young people in climate negotiations.

Film participants

Applications to take part in the film were open to any young person aged under 35. We filmed with eight experts and eight young people from around the world, from every continent except Antarctica.

The participants discuss key climate themes:

Planetary systems and tipping points
Food systems
Extreme weather
Loss and damage
Human health
Nature and biodiversity
Global governance

Find out about the participants

A collage of the participants in the 2024 film.

ActNowFilm at COP29

ActNowFilm presented at six events COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The ActNowFilm Project presented at six events at COP29:

Decoding UNFCCC language. This Blue Zone workshop on 11 November aimed to empower youth climate leaders by exploring and unravelling some of the complex terminology used within the UNFCCC framework. With Millie May (ActNowFilm Project) and Lucy Plummer (PhD student, University of Bath Professional Doctorate in Policy Research and Practice).

The role of youth action in the SDGs. This Blue Zone panel discussion in the SDG Pavilion on 12 November examined the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their interconnections and the role that youth play in addressing the SDGs. With Noora Firaq (Climate Outreach), Mariana Gomes, Millie May, Marinel Ubaldo and Yixian Sun (University of Bath).

Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC) Pavilion panel discussion. This panel discussion and Q&A in the Green Zone on 14 November featured participants and members of the ActNowFilm project team: Nisreen Elsaim, Mariana Gomes, Amy Munro-Faure and Amy Thompson (ActNowFilm co-directors).

Film premiere and panel discussion. The film premiered in the Capacity-Building Hub (Blue Zone) on 16 November. The screening was followed by a panel discussion with film participants and members of the ActNowFilm project team: Dawda Cham, Nisreen Elsaim, Mariana Gomes, Marinel Ubaldo, Amy Munro-Faure and Amy Thompson.

Integration of youth in climate negotiations. This Extreme Hangout panel discussion event in the Green Zone on 18 November featured film participants and members of the ActNowFilm project team, including Dawda Cham, Dorcas Wakio Mugo, Amy Munro-Faure and Amy Thompson.

Developing young peoples' green skills to accelerate a net zero transition. Amy Munro-Faure showcased ActNowFilm as part of this British Council event in the Green Zone on 18 November, discussing the importance of skills and capacity building and youth inclusion in negotiations.

Reflections on COP29: A journey to Baku and the urgent need for change

A blog post by Amy Thompson

A graphic showing connections between icons representing people, planet and policy.

Amy Thompson, Head of Policy Programmes and Communications at the Institute for Policy Research and Co-Director of ActNowFilm, offers reflections on the conference in a blog post for the IPR.

Other films in the series

Learn more about the other films produced for the ActNowFilm project.

Youth Climate Leaders in Conversation with Climate Experts (2023)

The 2023 film premiered at COP28 and featured young climate leaders and experts including Mary Robinson, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Renata Koch Alvarenga, Johan Rockström, Christiana Figueres and Moliehi Mafantiri. Find out more about the 2023 film.

Intergenerational Conversations on Climate Change (2022)

In this film, both young and older people share their lived experiences of climate change, as well as their hopes and fears for the future. Find out more about the 2022 film.

Youth Voices on Climate (2021)

In this film, young people living across the planet tell decision-makers, in their own words, why stopping climate change is important to future generations. Find out more about the 2021 film.