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Environment, Youth

YOUNG AUSTRALIANS READY TO FLIP THE SCRIPT ON CLIMATE STORIES TO DRIVE URGENT ACTION

Better Futures Australia 3 mins read

Sydney Youth Film Workshop to Spotlight Climate Solutions and Opportunities

March 10, 2025

[Sydney, NSW] — Young Australians are shaping the climate conversation like never before. With Gen Z and Millennials now the largest voter cohort in Australia, they are using storytelling to flip the script—moving from climate anxiety to showcasing climate resilience and clean economy solutions.

On Wednesday, March 12, young leaders and filmmakers will gather for the Youth Film & Storytelling for Change Workshop at Future Generations Day, Climate Action Week Sydney. Led by an award-winning team of film directors, producers, editors and climate communicators, this hands-on workshop aims to shift the conversation from climate anxiety to solutions-driven action.

“Hope is an essential strategy in our climate action. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something,” said Liz Courtney, award-winning film director and workshop lead.

With expert documentary and content mentors guiding the way, participants will create short films that will be screened at the UTS COP31 Voice for Youth event on Friday March 14, offering a platform for young Australians to tell their own climate story. 

Visual Opportunities for Media - Media Passes Available

We are offering passes for TV journalists and camera crews to attend the event and capture:

  • Behind-the-scenes footage of young Australians shaping their climate stories,

  • Interviews with young climate leaders, film directors, and content mentors,

  • Striking visuals of students documenting climate resilience & clean energy solutions, 

  • First look at the short films they are creating.

To secure a media pass and coordinate on-site filming, register by Tuesday, March 11.

Spokespeople Available for Media Interviews

  1. Layla Wang – UNICEF Young Ambassador from Sydney.

“Our thoughts go far beyond ‘climate anxiety’, instead acknowledging that climate change affects everyone regardless of socioeconomic status. As someone who has experienced first hand the devastating effects of a climate disaster, I believe the time to act is now,” - Layla Wang, Sydney. 

  1. Lincoln Ingravalle – UNICEF Young Ambassador, Energy Australia, from Latrobe Valley (one of the Coalition’s proposed nuclear sites). 

“To me, climate action is about building resilient communities and securing sustainable jobs. Clean economies are already here—and young Australians are ready to accelerate them,” - Lincoln Ingravalle, UNICEF Young Ambassador.

  1. Kal Glanznig – Councillor, Sutherland Shire Council; creator of Blue Minds; director of RISING UP film. 

“We are the last generation with the ability to do something, and together, we can rewrite the future for the better,” - Kal Glanznig, Film Director and Sutherland Shire Councillor. 

  1. Elinor Johnston-Leek  – Senior Content Producer, Youth filmmaker working on A Drowning Memory—a documentary on climate impacts in the Pacific.

“Film and media shape how we see the future, and young voices must be heard,” Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer. 

  1. Liz Courtney – Award-winning filmmaker, Unboxed Media, and other filmmakers, young leaders, and climate communicators available for interviews.

For post-event TV coverage, we can provide:

  • High-quality video footage of the workshop and real interviews with young leaders—why they care and what they want to see happen, and
  • Curated stories by youth creators on climate resilience, solutions and what young Australians want from leadership. 

EVENT DETAILS

  • Wednesday, March 12, 2025 | 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM AEDT
  • UTS Balcony Room, Level 5, Building 1, 15 Broadway, Ultimo
  • Register: Storytelling for Change 

This event is a rare opportunity to capture youth-driven climate solutions, clean energy opportunities, and fresh perspectives on the role of storytelling in driving climate action.

CONTACT

To schedule an interview with one of the speakers or filmmakers, contact: [email protected] | 0429 998 315

[email protected] | 0429 051 880

About Better Futures Australia
Better Futures Australia is a national alliance of climate leaders across business, local government, finance, health, and civil society. BFA works to connect, coordinate, and amplify real economy voices calling for strong national climate action.

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