Ep 251: Lights, Camera, Climate: Building a Festival for a Warming World
In this episode, we sit down with Alec, co-founder of the New York Climate Film Festival, to explore how cinema is being used to spark conversations around climate change. From building a community of diverse storytellers to rethinking what climate narratives can look like, Alec shares the journey of starting a film festival focused on one of the most urgent issues of our time. Whether you're a filmmaker, climate advocate, or simply a lover of good stories, this episode uncovers the creative intersections where art meets environmental action.📝 Show Notes:In this episode, we discuss:🎬 The origin story of the New York Climate Film Festival🌍 Why climate is as much a cultural issue as a scientific one🧠 How experimental and narrative formats push climate storytelling forward🤝 Collaborations between artists, scientists, and curators🎥 What Alec looks for in a festival film submission🛠️ The real challenges (and joys) of building a niche film festival🔊 The underrated power of good sound in indie filmmaking🐝 Highlighting “Keeper,” a touching short film about beekeeping and family in the Bronx📈 Hopes for the future of media, festivals, and climate narratives🎬 Mentioned Films & Resources:One With the Whale – a coming-of-age climate story set in the Aleutian IslandsKeeper by Hannah Rafkin – a short film about a father-daughter beekeeping duoClimate storytelling resources:Good Energy PlaybookClimate Spring (UK)Earth Angel (sustainable production)Albert (BAFTA’s sustainability program)W: https://www.climatefilmfest.comUse Promo Code "FILMMAKINGSWABY" for all my deals or just click the link:25% Off More Labshttps://www.morelabs.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY20% Off Strong Coffee Companyhttps://strongcoffeecompany.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY15% Off Tusslehttps://www.tusslegear.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY20% Off Eric Javitshttps://ericjavits.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY25% Off Quantum Energy Squarehttps://quantumsquares.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY20% Off Long Tablehttps://longtablepancakes.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY20% Off HyperNaturalhttps://hypernaturalstyle.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY20% Off wearplaygroundhttps://wearplayground.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY15% Off STAND+https://www.standshoes.com/discount/FILMMAKINGSWABY10% Off Molly Bz