Changing Climate Narratives 2025: Professional Development Program (North America)

Changing Climate Narratives 2025: Professional Development Program (North America)

The climate crisis is the defining story of our time - but how do we bring it to screen in ways that engage and inspire, without preaching, oversimplifying or ticking boxes?

For producers, creative producers, development executives and story consultants working in today’s film and TV industry, Climate Spring’s Changing Climate Narratives 2025 offers a timely, practical and inspiring new framework. This 8-week online professional development program, supported by the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance, is designed for those working behind the scenes of shaping film and TV content - providing the insight, tools and collaborative space to develop stories that engage with the climate and nature crisis in original, engaging and commercially viable ways.

About the program:

There is a growing appetite across the industry - and among audiences - for stories that reflect the complexity of the world we live in. But without a strong pipeline of development professionals equipped to support effective climate storytelling, there is a risk of defaulting to clichés, worthiness, tokenism or simply avoidance. Changing Climate Narratives helps address this gap by building the industry’s creative storytelling capacity in the complex space of climate narratives. Through expert-led lectures, peer-to-peer discussions, hands-on case studies and one-to-one support, the program empowers professionals to explore how climate themes can be integrated into a wide range of genres and formats - without sacrificing nuance, entertainment value or creative ambition.

This isn’t about turning every project into a climate story. It’s not about ‘hiding the broccoli’ or worthy agendas. This is about making your content more audience relevant and commercially engaging - enriching characters, setting and plot. You’ll leave the program with actionable insights and knowledge, a strong professional network and the confidence to champion projects that bring climate into focus - subtly, intelligently and with entertainment first.

Program overview:

The program will run online on a weekly basis in autumn 2025, consisting of eight sessions, each including a lecture, Q&A, facilitated peer discussion and additional reading material. The program includes:

• A lecture series led by seasoned professionals specialising in climate solutions, narrative change and storytelling.
• A confidential, facilitated peer to peer discussion forum exploring the complexities and creative opportunities of climate storytelling, featuring case studies and shared industry experiences.
• Networking opportunities designed for experienced, full-time professionals, ensuring discussions remain both actionable and inspiring. This will lay the foundation for an ongoing live community beyond the course.
• A one-on-one session with Climate Spring consultants after the course, offering tailored guidance on a project or work challenge of the participant’s choice.
• Access to apply for development funding with Climate Spring.

The speaker line-up 2025 will be announced in due course.

Dates and timings:

Dates: October 1  – November 19, 2025

Duration: 8 weeks (2 months)

Sessions: Wednesdays, 16:00 Pacific Time (online, 2.5 hours per week)

Who the program is for?

‍Producers, creative producers, development executives and story consultants. This program is not designed for creatives - writers, directors or actors. For writers and directors Climate Spring offers other programs throughout the year and we encourage you to get in touch for more information.

This is a confidential, curated space for peers, held entirely online but not broadcast.

Format of the sessions:

• 1 hr Master Class/Lecture/Seminar and Q&A
• 15-minute break
• 1 hr small group peer to peer discussion led by facilitator
• 15-minute wrap-up and reading list explanation

How to apply:

To apply, please fill out this application form:

Application form for Changing Climate Narratives 2025 - North America

Applications close on Monday 28th July 2025, with interviews taking place on the week commencing Monday 4th August 2025.

Course fee:

$450 inclusive of all taxes for freelance professionals

$800 inclusive of all taxes for professionals attending as part of a company or organisation

Two scholarships are offered to freelance professionals that would otherwise be financially unable to afford the course fees, and who identify as one or more of the following:

• Global Majority
• LGBTQI+
• Disability
• Educationally or economically disadvantaged
  
  

To apply, please indicate on the application, including a short statement on your career aspirations. The scholarships are funded by the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance and Climate Spring.

Certification:

Participants will receive a certification of participation from Climate Spring, upon completion of the program.

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