Reflections on ClimateFuture Film Festival

75 of us gathered in a VIU lecture hall, ate popcorn (some noisily 😆) and watched, cried and laughed. Ten films in two hours. Some required endurance and courage. Others inspired. All made us feel. For those of you who were there, thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings as you experienced the films. You told us some of the films were difficult to watch, yet you did the work. Below is a summary we put together from the cards you filled out. Whether you were there or not to watch the films, we hope you find this reflection useful.

🎬 Film 1- Feeling the Apocalypse

This film opened the festival with a heavy emotional weight, leaving people feeling depressed, sad, and anxious, yet still holding onto a sense of hope. There was a feeling of acceptance and anticipation woven through these reactions, as if viewers were bracing themselves for what was to come. It worked effectively as an introduction, helping people emotionally prepare for the themes ahead while acknowledging both the difficulty and the necessity of engaging with them.

🎬 Film 2 - The Operator

The Operator deepened the emotional intensity, with strong and repeated feelings of sadness alongside distress and a lingering tension that ran throughout the experience. These feelings were closely tied to reflections on how disconnected people have become in a technology-driven world, prompting a desire to return to more meaningful, human-to-human relationships. The film left viewers feeling unsettled but thoughtful, carrying both emotional weight and a clear message.

🎬 Film 3 - I Want You To Panic!

This one brought a different energy, where people felt engaged and appreciative, with humor making the experience more accessible without losing its impact. The message came through clearly, especially in its focus on compassion and the powerful clarity of youth speaking about the climate crisis. The reference to Greta Thunberg stood out, and the film was valued for balancing seriousness with a lighter tone that still resonated.

🎬 Film 4 - Baby Dolphins 

A very short film, this one stood out for its intensity, with strong feelings of anger—repeated and emphatic—alongside disgust. At the same time, there was a sense of perseverance present, suggesting that while the film confronted viewers with difficult or unjust realities, it also pointed toward endurance and the need to keep going. The experience felt raw and forceful, pushing people to sit with their reactions.

🎬 Film 5 - The Mud On Their Hands

Mud On Their Hands created a more balanced emotional space, where people felt a sense of community and connection alongside both hopefulness and some sadness. The presence of hope was noticeable and repeated, but it didn’t erase the underlying grief. Instead, the film highlighted how coming together with others can help hold both emotions at once, reinforcing the importance of collective experience. 

🎬 Film 6 - Calamity TV

This one shifted into a lighter and more playful space, where people felt amused and entertained, even if somewhat ironically. The beauty of the art stood out strongly, suggesting that the film connected through its visual expression as much as its message. It offered a moment of relief while still engaging viewers in a meaningful way. 

🎬 Film 7 - Sacrificed

This film left people feeling concerned for younger generations while also somewhat confused, creating a sense of uncertainty in how its message was received. At the same time, there was clear appreciation for the shadow puppetry style, which stood out as a memorable and creative element. The film seemed to resonate more through its visuals and underlying concern than through a fully clear narrative. 

🎬 Film 8 - I Was Just a Child

I Was Just a Child returned to a heavier emotional space, with strong feelings of sadness, sympathy, and even hopelessness. The repetition of sadness gave a sense of how deeply it affected viewers, drawing out empathy while also emphasizing the weight of the issues being presented. It was one of the more emotionally difficult experiences to sit with.

🎬 Film 9 - The Sprayer

This one brought a mix of hope and confusion, as people reflected on its message and what it meant. There was a sense of reassurance in the idea that nature might continue even if humans do not, but this also came with some uncertainty and unease. Positioned toward the end, it contributed to a gradual shift toward a more reflective and accepting mindset.

🎬 Film 10 Ola Ka Honau

This beautiful film closed the festival with a strong sense of hope and encouragement, leaving people feeling motivated to continue their own efforts. It stood out as a favorite and inspired practical action, such as continuing work to remove invasive species. The feeling at the end was forward-looking, turning earlier emotions into something active and purposeful.