The Climate Story Lab program creates films and stories portraying the real-life impacts of the climate crisis, as part of advocates’ call for immediate action to address the climate crisis. The program is a response to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and the Philippine government’s recent expression of intent to host the climate disaster fund known as the “Loss and Damage Fund.”
Organized by the creative group DAKILA and its human rights education institution Active Vista, with the support of the British Council, the Climate Story Lab is an immersive mentorship program that supports Filipino directors and producers who seek to portray the realities of the climate crisis through films, enabling them to create impactful works that drive global climate action rooted in human rights.
The advocacy groups hope that the Philippine government’s recently expressed wish to host the climate disaster fund instead of having it based in the World Bank prods the national and local governments to enact proactive measures genuinely addressing the crisis causes and impacts in grassroots communities.
During its most recent sessions, the Climate Story Lab explored the science of the climate emergency issue as well as related narratives, social impact production, film concept development and social impact films. Mentor-filmmakers shared how their advocacy films are helping raise conversations on different issues, resulting in actual positive changes in communities. Working on mining, deforestation, quarrying, fishing and food security issues at the grassroots levels in different parts of the country, the participants expressed commitment to the same through their films.
“DAKILA has long harnessed the power of creativity to champion human rights issues. We created a creative toolkit in which music, comics, poetry, films and other art forms are used to talk about the climate crisis and its impacts,” said DAKILA Secretary-General and Active Vista executive director Leni Velasco.
The Climate Story Lab is in partnership with Picture People and iMedia, organizations that advance the use of visual media, digital media and technology for human rights. After the training, selected participants will receive grant funding to realize their stories.
“The film outputs of the Climate Story Lab will be necessary eye-openers and tools for advocates and government leaders alike to highlight the urgency of climate crisis action. Through creative and collective actions, we hope we can all work together to build an inclusive and sustainable future rooted in people’s fundamental human rights,” Velasco said.