Bath video production company Octopus Films has teamed up with the University of Bath to make a special documentary for the COP26 conference featuring young people urging world leaders to take action over climate change.
More than 140 young people from 32 countries took part in ActNowFilm,which is due to be screened in the green zone at the COP26, which begins in Glasgow on Sunday.
They speak powerfully about how climate change has affected them and make urgent calls for action from decision makers attending the conference.
One contributor – Bec from Australia – sets the theme when she says “without combatting climate change, we can’t look into the future with any hope”.
Others talk about how climate-related weather events, such as typhoons, have affected their lives.
Octopus Films was charged with completing the post production for ActNowFilm as well as working with student volunteers from British universities to script and structure the film.
The film is an official COP26 UK Universities Project, co-led by the University of Bath’s Institute for Policy Research and Cambridge Zero, the University of Cambridge’s climate change initiative.
The firm was founded nine years ago as a full-service video production company.
With clients ranging from BBC’s Countryfile Live, the British Council and Medical Detection Dogs, it helps organisations and businesses connect emotionally with their audience. It rebranded from its original name of Bower Films earlier this year.
Octopus films creative director Ellie Edwards said: “It’s been hugely rewarding to be part of such a powerful film, on a topic the Octopus team are passionate about
“The film highlights the very real fears of young people across every continent and I’m hopeful their messages will help mobilise the leaders at COP26 to take meaningful action.
“As a company, we strive to create a sustainability culture from the suppliers we work with to the way we plan our shoots.”
A cut-down version of the film has already successfully premiered at Climate Week NYC.
University of Bath head of policy programmes and communications Amy Thompson added: “From our first conversation with
Octopus Films it was clear to us that they were a great match for our ActNowFilm project.
“They provided structure, guidance and fresh ideas to all our team and totally embraced the opportunities of this project.
Their foundations in sustainable film production also aligned so well to the ethos of our film.”
Representatives from 197 countries are expected to join COP26, which runs from this Sunday to November 12.
