On November 19, the Handle Climate Change Film Festival (HCCFF) Organizing Committee, Innovative Research Institute of Science Popularization (IRISP), International Climate Film And Television Promotion Association sponsored the "Public Welfare Communication for Climate Films " Side Event and the 9th HCCFF Award Ceremony was held in the China Pavilion of the COP29. Different from the past, the Side Event was added the 9th HCCFF award ceremony, inviting the national participants of the award-winning films to accept the awards on behalf of the winning units or directors, exchange the shooting experience of responding to climate change, and spread the image of China's civil action against climate change. This is also the first time that the HCCFF has put the award ceremony on an international stage.
This year's HCCFF collected a total of 862 works from 95 countries and regions, from China's “Urban Wild Residents” won the gold medal, from the United States “Climate Emergency: Feedback Loops” and “Pad Thai” from Thailand won silver awards, while “Carbon Dioxide and Its Carbon Family” from China, “Beni Youth” from Germany, and “Alptrees, Sustainable Use And Management Of Non Native Trees In The Alpine Region” from Italy won bronze awards. The leader of the Chinese delegation to COP29, as well as international experts on climate change, presented awards to the winners.
Chen Suping, founder of the HCCFF, chairman of the International Climate Film and Television Promotion Association, and chairman of the IRISP, gave a welcome speech. He looked back on the 10-year journey of the HCCFF and expressed his gratitude to the leaders、experts、scholars and friends who supported the conference along the way. He mentioned that in the ten years of development of the HCCFF, over 130 countries and regions around the world have actively participated in the event, providing over 10,000 excellent works. The HCCFF organized national-level experts to evaluate the best works, and promoted and screened these works for communities and schools free of charge, which has achieved a very good effect of benefiting the public, and has done positive actions for the communication of climate change in the Chinese people.
Liu Zhenmin, China's Special Climate Envoy, said in his speech that the HCCFF helps people intuitively "see climate change" in the way of "seeing is believing", which is the unique charm and great influence of climate change-themed films and television works. The Chinese Government will continue to support the development of the HCCFF, attach importance to inclusiveness and diversity, and rely on the COP platform to jointly create a climate film and television event in the Global Village.
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, sent a message to the organizing committee of the HCCFF, congratulating the organizing committee on hosting the “Public Welfare Communication for Climate Films” Side Event once again and wishing it a great success.
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, said in her speech that In the face of the escalating climate crisis, the role of communication cannot be overstated, how we convey the urgency of the climate emergency. And the hope for a sustainable future is vital to shaping public opinion, mobilizing communities and influencing decision makers. In particular, the film has the unique ability to touch hearts, Challenge perspectives, and inspire action, like no other medium. The work of HCCFF exemplifies how creativity and storytelling can transform the way we understand and respond to the challenges before us and can empower people of all walks of life, to take more decisive action for the environment and for the well being of communities across the globe.
Karina Larsen, Head of Entertainment & Culture for Climate Action of UN Climate Change, said in her speech: "The efforts of Film and Television on Climate have made us realize that climate action is not just about science and policy, but also about hearts, minds and the stories we share, demonstrating how the art of narrative can bring climate change to life in ways that data cannot." Film festivals and awards like the HCCFF are more than cultural celebrations—they are catalysts for global transformation.
Eric Solheim, Former Deputy Secretary-General of the UN and former Executive Director of the UNEP、Chairman of BRI Green Development Institute、Chairman of Europe-Asia Center, was not present because of schedule conflicts. He said in a video address that film, as an important tool to disseminate information, plays an important role in the action against climate change. He hoped that the HCCFF could be held continuously to protect Mother Earth and beautiful China with vivid actions.
Co-Founder and Director of Impact and Partnerships of Entertainment and Culture Pavilion, Founding Convening Team Member of Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action of UN Climate, Samuel Rubin, also delivered an enthusiastic speech, looking forward to expanding cooperation with HCCFF, and creating a model for global entertainment and culture industry climate action.
After the speech part, Liu Jianzhong, Chairman of the jury of HCCFF, Chief Expert of China Science and Education Film and Television Association、Director of Former SARFT Film Bureau in China, made a video introduction to the selection and evaluation of the 9th HCCFF.
Representatives of HCCFF read the ESG Film and Media Initiative on behalf of the initiator. The initiative was initiated by HCCFF, ESG Promotion Center for Corporate Social Responsibility of SASAC Machinery Research Institute of The State Council, China Meteorological Services Association, Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development Tsinghua University, Institute of Finance and Sustainability, Beijing Newsreel Ike Culture Film and Television, China Climate Communication Project Center, Huafeng Group of Meteorological Media nearly 100 leading climate organizations, including Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Youth Climate Law Review. Operation Earth, LakeStone Institute for Sustainable Development, Shenzhen Volunteer Group, Shenzhen New Media Association and Shenzhen Non-Governmental Organization Federation, participated in the initiative, aiming to achieve multi-dimensional development and progress of enterprises, industries and society in the field of ESG through effective communication means.
Yan Shidong, Director of Center for Environmental Education and Communication of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, on behalf of the co-producers, released "Up Stream", which is China's first realistic film about ecological and environmental protection law enforcement.
To offset the greenhouse gas emissions from the “Public Welfare Communication for Climate Films” Side Event, Henan BCCY Environmental Energy Co., Ltd. donated 1,000 CERs from the Clean Development Mechanism Project (CDM project number: 2513). Dr. Rajendra Shende, Founder Director of Green TERRE Foundation, Former Director of UNEP and Coordinating Lead Author of IPCC 2007 that won the Nobel Peace Prize, read the “Voluntary Cancellation Certificate” issued by the UNFCCC Clean Development Mechanism Registry.
At the event, Karina Larsen, Head of Entertainment & Culture for Climate Action of UN Climate Change, and Chen Suping, founder and chairman of the HCCFF, Joint Launch of HCCFF 2025 Global Call for Entries and the Global Youth Climate Change Short Video Championship. The competition plans to organize mentorship programs with media professionals, short video workshops, and international platforms to showcase youth works, promote cross-sector and inter-generational dialogue and cooperation, and invites global youth to actively participate. The first award ceremony is expected to be held at the COP30 or earlier.
HCCFF is China's first public welfare film festival focusing on climate change. Since its launch in September 2015, it has collected 12,636 films from 130 countries and regions, and has selected 88 award-winning works in nine sessions. To promote the dissemination of knowledge and awareness of climate change, HCCFF has established a volunteer service team for climate action, which has entered communities and schools, and conducted excellent climate film screenings for the public and youth students, to popularize climate change knowledge, promote green and low-carbon lifestyles, and encourage environmental protection behavior. Up to now, a total of about 300 screenings have been held, and more than 300,000 people have participated in the screening and education activities.
(Photo provided by the organizer)
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