The Narrative Change Summit brings together the companies, nonprofits, and philanthropies working with film and media creatives to engage new audiences. If you’re interested in the cutting edge of sustainability communications and media, this is for you.
The Summit is one of the most unusual rooms at Climate Week, bringing together filmmakers with entrepreneurs, major studios with creators, journalists with philanthropists, and scientists with leaders in communications and marketing.
At SVA Theatre in Chelsea.
9:45 AM Narrative Change Summit Opening Remarks
Keynote remarks to open the Narrative Chagne Summit. Speaker TBA. By attending, you consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming, and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media, in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with the event.
10:00 AM Reaching Unexpected Audiences Through Unscripted Reality
Presented by Potential Energy Coalition. Unscripted storytelling can reach the audiences who’ve already tuned out climate messaging. And there’s a story ready-made for it that many people are experiencing: the insurance crisis. Premiums spiking. Coverage vanishing. Whole neighborhoods suddenly uninsurable. Most people don’t connect any of it to climate change yet, but they’re already feeling it in their bank accounts and their neighborhoods. That’s what makes this story so powerful: it doesn’t ask anyone to identify as an environmentalist. It just asks them to look at their bill. We brought together leaders across unscripted storytelling, including documentary film, reality television, and podcasting, to discuss how to tell this story in a way that is entertaining and reaches new audiences. This session will explore questions like: What makes a skeptical viewer lean in instead of tuning out? How do you film real people so they feel like real people, not actors hitting marks? How do you meet an audience where they already are, without losing them? And why might unscripted—messy, unpolished, human—be exactly the format that can tell this story, and other climate stories still waiting to be told? By attending, you consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming, and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media, in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with the event.
With Cyle Zezo · Dior Rodriguez · Eric Asche · Jason Tartick · Nicole Dorrler
11:10 AM GreenerLight in Action: Advancing Sustainability Across a Studio
Universal Entertainment’s GreenerLight program helps film and television series champion sustainability from script to screen. Join Kimberly Burnick and Audrey Vinant-Tang for a conversation exploring how GreenerLight supports creators in authentic on-screen moments, reducing environmental impacts throughout the production process, and engaging audiences during the marketing of a film or TV series. Through examples from a range of recent projects including recent blockbusters and upcoming TV series, the discussion will highlight innovative approaches to embedding sustainability and lessons learned from cross-functional collaboration. By attending, you consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming, and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media, in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with the event.
With Audrey Vinant-Tang · Kimberly Burnick · Michelle Byrd
11:30 AM Amplifying Creator Voices to Reach New Audiences
Presented with GoodPower Social media algorithms make it harder than ever to reach beyond our own echo chambers. This panel brings together renewable energy advocates, creative agencies and creators in the clean energy space and beyond who are successfully reaching new audiences. We’ll explore how culturally relevant storytelling can reframe rising energy costs and solutions, combat disinformation, connect with audiences who don’t typically engage on climate, and help build the broad public support and social license needed to accelerate the renewable energy transition. By attending, you consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming, and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media, in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with the event.
With Jacob Simon · Kip Pastor · Saheedat Abdul · Zainab Mirza
11:40 AM It’s a Scream: Horror, Comedy, and the Golden Age of Climate Genre
Some of the sharpest comedic minds of this generation are now making the biggest horror films and vice versa. This isn’t a coincidence. Comedy and horror are converging, living in a shared ecosystem, feeding the same audiences through the same channels. This session unpacks why that’s happening, why the same forces drive both, and why that convergence is such a powerful vehicle for climate storytelling – the reason we built Carmack Productions around these two genres. Jessie Bluedorn is a producer, funder, and comedian working primarily at the intersection of climate and culture. She is the Founder and Executive Producer at Carmack Productions — a multi-media production studio developing comedy and horror projects that bring climate stories to new audiences, as well as the Founder & Executive Director of The Carmack Collective — a philanthropic fund working to combat and dismantle the fossil fuel industry by investing in movement building and culture change organizations. Ricardo Benavidez is a systems-focused philanthropic strategist and producer working at the intersection of climate, culture, and power. He is Associate Producer of Carmack Productions, where he supports projects that use storytelling and creative media to shift narratives and strengthen climate justice movements. Ricky also leads grantmaking and operations as Director of The Carmack Collective. His work is grounded in trust-based philanthropy and long-term systems change, with a focus on moving resources toward people and ideas building durable power. Additionally, Ricky heads Social Impact Partners, a philanthropic consulting practice supporting values-aligned funders and organizations. By attending, you consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming, and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media, in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with the event.
With Jessie Bluedorn · Ricky Benavidez
12:30 PM Underground Science. Underground Stories.
Why does data alone fail to move people — and what actually makes science stick? Convened by the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN), this session brings together a magazine founder, a scientist, a data designer, and a digital storyteller to explore how they transform little-known facts into compelling stories that resonate with people. The session will also examine misinformation in science communication and conclude with the launch of Underground Creators, a new initiative pairing storytellers with scientists mapping Earth’s underground fungal networks.
With Alessandra Yupanqui · Mandy Nguyen · Moritz Stefaner · Toby Kiers · Willow Defebaugh
12:40 PM From Stadiums to Shorelines: Storytelling that Breaks Through the Noise
Presented by Ocean Conservancy’s Protect Where We Play. The stories we tell now have the power to bring us together. At a time when sports and entertainment unite millions around shared moments of triumph, heartbreak, and pure human connection, this panel brings together storytellers from the front lines — sharing real examples of how they’ve engaged, inspired, and deepened the fan experience in ways that truly matter. By attending, you consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming, and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media, in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with the event.
With Christina Guerron-Orejuela · Christy Briggs · Jenna DiPaolo
1:50 PM Power from the Ground Up: How Local Leaders Turn Narratives Into Coalitions, Funding, and Action
From the Amazon to the Appalachias, Molokai to New Zealand, the Honnold Foundation’s Partners use solar energy as a tool to build stronger, more resilient communities, on their terms. But HF’s Impact extends beyond a check: a growing storytelling program, rooted in community ownership and co-creation, helps HF’s Partners share their vision for a brighter, more equitable world within their community, and far beyond. Join Joseph McNeil, Hunkpapa Lakota, an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and CEO of SAGE Development, Jacob Hannah, a fifth generation Appalachian and Executive Director of Coalfield Development, Nantu Canelos, Achuar leader and Executive Director of Kara Solar, and Peter Walle, VP of Advancement at HF for a deep conversation on a shared belief: stories can change the world. From Standing Rock to the Amazon, learn how local leaders use stories as a tool for local coalition building, strategic, high value fundraising, and ultimately, sparking change in their communities and beyond. By attending, you consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming, and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media, in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with the event.
With Jacob Hannah · Joseph McNeil · Nantu Canelos · Peter Walle
2:00 PM The City as Commons: Reimagining Climate Justice
Global Rise: Stories for the Future and Climate Film Festival invite you to the third and final gathering in our series for imagining new stories to illuminate climate justice in New York City. We’ll open with a panel conversation featuring Dr. Sheila Foster (Columbia Climate School and NYC Panel on Climate Change); Commissioner Rafael Espinal (Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment); and Dr. Anhthu Hoang (scientist and policy expert, and General Counsel, WE ACT for Environmental Justice). We’ll explore new ideas at the intersection of co-governance and cultural infrastructure and look at how cross-sector partnerships and city government agencies can use climate storytelling to enhance civic engagement and climate justice solutions. We’ll also hear directly from the 2026 Global Rise Climate Storytelling Fellows on the creative journeys they took to develop film projects throughout the summer, and their insights and plans for bringing them into the larger conversation. Please register to attend. Guest Speakers: Dr. Sheila Foster (Columbia Law and Climate Justice Professor, Co-Chair of The New York City Panel on Climate Change, and founder of LabGov) Commissioner Rafael Espinal (Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment) Dr. Anhthu Hoang, (Scientist and policy expert, General Counsel, WE ACT for Environmental Justice.) Featuring Global Rise 2026 Storytelling Fellows: Aditi Desai — Public Power (Feature film) Alex Tillett Miller — “Ember and Liberty” (Animated short film) Gabriel Henneman — Informed Refusal (Feature film) Lev Brodinsky — Eruv (Feature film) Sanya Panda — The Ultimate RenAIssance (Feature film) Sara Ali Bugaighis — Muskie (Feature film) Stephanie Dawson & William Reliford — “The Land of Away” (Animated short film) Global Rise Co-Founders & Facilitators: Global Rise: Stories for the Future works with creatives and community leaders to examine the interdisciplinary role of science, humanities, and imagination in creating rich climate stories across media. As educators and artists, we infuse our workshops with storytelling craft, science communication expertise, audience development. We innovate new strategies around the complexity required to power new ideas and imagination for climate solutions across genres, platforms, generations, and cultures. Our site-specific work is rooted in the landscapes, communities, systems, and cultures where climate change is lived. Jessie Keyt — Writer, film scholar, and international script consultant. Co-author of Alternative Scriptwriting: Contemporary Storytelling for the Screen. Head of Screenwriting and Associate Professor at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where she teaches the graduate-level master class Writing the Climate Change Script. Lydia Dean Pilcher — Filmmaker, cultural strategist, educator, and two-time Emmy-winning, Oscar-nominated producer. Pilcher has an extensive track record creating multi-stakeholder collaborations across entertainment studios, unions, and guilds. She works with UN Climate Change and designed and teaches Climatic Change: Storytelling Arts, Zeitgeist, and Our Future at the Columbia Climate School. Abby Rabinowitz — Climate journalist, STEM communications expert, and Director of the Writing Program at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, where she teaches the advanced seminar Climate Fiction and the City. Her writing on climate policy, technology, and narrative has appeared in Wired, The New York Times, The Guardian, Grist, The New Republic, and Columbia Journalism Review. The Climate Film Festival is a cultural organization with an annual festival, year-round programming, and educational resources in New York City. CFF rewrites the narrative on climate change by harnessing the power of motion pictures, showcasing new and established voices, classic climate films, and human, energizing stories. Its 2026 annual festival will be held September 18-21. By attending, you consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming, and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media, in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with the event.
With Dr. Anhthu Hoang · Dr. Sheila Foster · Rafael Espinal
2:40 PM Networking Hour
Meet the people changing the narrative. From heads of sustainability to filmmakers to entrepreneurs and nonprofit executives, the Narrative Change Summit attracts one of the best rooms at Climate Week. Join us for an afternoon coffee and networking in the theater lobby between sessions. By attending, you consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming, and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media, in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with the event.
3:30 PM Journalism is an Effective Climate Solution
Presented in partnership with Covering Climate Now Good climate journalism can have real-world impact. It can expose wrongdoing, prompt official action, bring attention to people who have been underserved or marginalized, and help audiences understand and critique possible solutions. This session, presented with the global journalism collaboration Covering Climate Now, will reframe journalism as a climate solution unto itself. Through clips, images, audio, and conversation, the journalists behind the work will discuss the stories they reported, the audiences they reached, and what the impact has been. During the second part of the session, we’ll discuss journalism as a powerful solution to climate change. How can strong reporting build public understanding and hold powerful institutions accountable? What hurdles stand in the way — including political hurdles but also funding hurdles for journalism? And how can journalists equip audiences with the information they need to effectively respond to the climate crisis? By attending, you consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming, and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media, in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with the event.
With David Akana · Geoff Dembicki · Jason Spingarn-Koff · Jazzmin Jiwa · Mark Hertsgaard · Nina Dietz
4:30 PM Workshop with a Ghost: Hunting the New York Painters of Yesteryear.
Toby Wright researches, hunts down and identifies exact locations where painters stood 100 yrs ago, revealing our evolving world through art. In this workshop, you will join him as he hunts downs the NY of yesteryear through a sketching field trip. Discover the techniques and process of this time traveling “treasure hunt” through an insightful and fun demonstration. Learn to search, identify and draw outdoors, as Toby takes you through every step of his investigative process. 15 min walk to location starting from SVA Theatre. Includes drawing demos, historical context of paintings, description of the analytical process and how to line up paintings with today’s landmarks, and time to sketch. All you need is a sketchbook and pencil, and your adventurous spirit. Local art store: BLICK art store is 4 min walk from theatre venue: 237 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011, United States. It’s on our way to the workshop location, couldn’t be more convenient! Google map link to the local art store on 23rd street. Art materials requirements for participants: Sketchbook suggestions: CANSON Hardbound Sketchbook, 108 Sheets. 5-1/2” x 8-1/2”. Natural White. $9.33 Item #:10350-1085 OR BLICK Wirebound, 80 Sheets 7” x 10” White $10.11. Item #:13815-1022 Drawing materials: Single pencil: $2.95. Item #:82519-2020 Erasor: Blic kneadable eraser $0.83 Item #:21026-1020 Sharpener: Maped Hand-Held Pencil Sharpener, single hole.$1.11 Item #:21416-1000 Total budget per person: approximately. $15 Short bio: Toby is a classically trained artist inspired by the natural world. Alumni and teacher of the “Florence academy of Art” in Italy, he has pursued a 25+ yr career in portraiture and landscape painting. Over recent years, he has added the practice of expedition artist. Member of the Explorers club NYC and the Alpine club UK, Toby Wright draws and paints through extreme terrain ranging from Arctic, Antarctica, Himalayas, Alps, Gobi desert and under water in the sea of Cortez. His documentary at NYC’s 2026 climate film festival, “Workshop with a Ghost”, is a powerful testament to the intersection of art and science, revealing the past, confronting the present, and inspiring action for the future.
4:40 PM Activist Or Filmmaker? Choosing The Right Lens For Impact
Presented in partnership with Who Let the Docs Out and Warren Underground. Does a great cause always make a great film? Join top directors, producers, and advocates as they explore what happens when activism collides with non-fiction storytelling, and how to balance clear messaging with cinematic complexity for maximum cultural impact. Panelists include Academy Award winning director Louie Psihoyos (The Cove, Game Changers), Emmy-winning and BAFTA nominated filmmaker Gabriela Cowperthwaite (Blackfish, The Grab) and more to be announced! By attending, you consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming, and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media, in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with the event.
With Gabriela Cowperthwaite · Joanna Hellier · Louie Psihoyos
5:50 PM The Live Edit: Startups x Storytellers
Made possible by SNØCAP, Climate Solutions Prize, 9Zero, and Venture For Climate Tech Climate startups are tackling some of the world’s biggest problems, but is their story breaking through to customers, investors and everyday people? In The Live Edit, four founders step beyond the pitch deck and into a live creative studio. Working in real time with a storytelling professional to transform a complicated product into a compelling story. The audience will then vote for the story with the strongest creative potential, awarding one founder-creative team with a path to production: The CFF Greenlight Award, presented by a very special sponsor! (…soon to be announced!) Part story lab, part live development room, and part audience-powered magic, The Live Edit reveals what can happen when climate innovation meets the people who know how to make people care. Startups from 9Zero, VentureForClimate Tech, & more to be announced. Storytellers: Anthony Giacchino, Oscar and Emmy-award winning filmmaker Jessica Riches, filmmaker and narrative strategist specialising in communicating existential risk Matt Scott, Director of Storytelling and Engagement, Project Drawdown Sophie Shrand, science educator, comedian, actor, and entrepreneur MC Suzie Hicks, Writer, filmmaker, and performer specializing in climate communication for kids By attending, you consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming, and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media, in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with the event.
With Anthony Giacchino · Jessica Riches · Matt Scott · Sophie Shrand · Suzie Hicks