And that’s a wrap!
Whether you saw every film, caught a talk at the Narrative Change Summit, volunteered at the fest, or just joined us in spirit, we’re so grateful for your support.
This year was bigger than ever, with over 3,000 attendees, 50 films, 33 premieres, our first-ever virtual screening, and over 40 individual events. We’ll be sending a full wrap-up soon, but first we’re excited to share this year’s award winners!
In this email:
🏆 CFF ’25 Award-Winning Films
🏅 Carbon Copy Pitch Competition Winners
📸 Photos of YOU at CFF!
Congratulations to the 2025 Climate Film Festival Award Winners!
CFF’s 2025 Awards Night was made possible by NRDC’s Rewrite the Future, which leverages NRDC’s deep environmental expertise to support creators in telling entertaining stories that reflect our climate-altered world and the path toward a better future. Apply for their 2026 fellowship today!
From the Arctic to Standing Rock, Mongolia to Michoacán, this year’s winners reveal the power of global storytelling to confront crisis, honor resilience, and collectively imagine a livable future.
🏆 Audience Choice Award & 🏆 CFF Visionary Award: Trade Secret
A gripping six-year investigation exposing the dark global trade of polar bears—and the blurred lines between protection and exploitation.
🏆 Climate Action Award: How to Change the World: SAGE
An inspiring episodic doc following changemakers from Standing Rock to beyond, building solar futures and Indigenous energy independence.
🏆 Documentary Feature: Black Snow
When a hidden mine ignites beneath a Siberian town, one citizen journalist’s fight for truth sparks a government cover-up.
🏆 Doc Short: Herders at the Edge
In Mongolia, a young jockey and father face the erosion of tradition and climate’s encroaching threat to nomadic life.
🏆 Horizon Award: Enraizados (Our Roots Remain)
In Cherán, Mexico, an Indigenous community rises against cartels and deforestation—reclaiming their land and future.
🏆 Narrative Short & 🏆 Sustainable Production: There Will Come Soft Rains
A darkly comic reflection on memory, tradition, and rising seas, as a daughter attempt to exhume her father’s grave to move him to higher ground.
🏆 Seeds of Hope Award: Suzie Hicks the Climate Chick & Sprout
A joyful, music-filled series helping kids and families learn the science—and heart—of climate action.
🏆 Youth Choice Award: Hot Soda
A rich and darkly comic confrontation with fracking, grief, and rebellion—served with a side of magic mushrooms.
These films remind us what’s at stake, and the better futures that we can imagine and build together.
Thank you to all the filmmakers who made this year’s festival unforgettable and to our incredible jury.
Thanks as well to everyone who made the night extra special: filmmaker Alisa Payne of Netflix’s Katrina: Come Hell or High Water gave a stirring keynote; local artist Fernanda Uribe-Horta made the beautiful ceramic awards; Omakaseed served delicious vegan sushi with support from Mercy for Animals and Compassion in World Farming; Bronx Brewery supplied beer; and The Everset brought in furniture and decor at our evening’s venue, DCTV.
Carbon Copy Winners
Wondering what might be on screen next year? We’re happy to announce the winners of Carbon Copy: A Climate Narrative Pitch Competition (presented with Documentaries Don’t Work):
🏆 Jury Award: L.C. Killingsworth, Lowcountry
💚 Audience Choice: Jessica Riches, Melt
Huge thanks to the incredible Kim Steele for her visionary leadership and to our fantastic finalists, jury, and audience for championing bold new climate stories.
Your Photos
Did you get your photo taken at CFF? Find your step-and-repeat photo here. Photos are organized by volunteer photographer, and their handles are in the guide - be sure to tag them or shout them out if you post!
🙏 Thank You to Our 2025 Festival Sponsors & Supporters
Premiere Sponsors: The Carmack Collective, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)
Visionary Sponsors: Agog, Nespresso, Universal Pictures,
Champion Sponsors: Compassion in World Farming, Climate Power, Earthrise Studio, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Mercy for Animals, Pique Action, The Puffin Foundation, SNØCAP, Tidal Vision, and Watershed.
The Guardian is the presenting media sponsor. The festival logo and design come from Studio Rodrigo. Legal services are from Romanette Legal. Earth Angel is the sustainability partner. Ecodeo created the festival trailer. The Everset provided furniture. Edge Auto loaned electrical vehicle services. The marquee theater partner is Regal. Compostable supplies are provided by SupplyClub. Mr. Hospitality provided pipe and drape. Awards are hand-crafted by Fernanda Uribe-Horta. Business development services were provided by ImpactECI.
Food and beverage in-kind partners include Bronx Brewery, Bear’s Fruit, Cafe d’Avignon, Just Ice Tea, Open Water, Remedy Organics, Rethink Food, and Stumptown. Screenings and events take place at DGA Theater, Regal Essex Crossing, Essex Market, and SVA Theatre.
This project is made possible in part with funds from Creative Engagement, a regrant program supported by the funding agencies the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ), and the Howard Gilman Foundation, and administered by LMCC.