Media Cymru and Ffilm Cymru Wales’ new fund to find innovative ways to share climate stories

As the effects of climate change on the planet and its people become ever more apparent, the film industry’s responsibility for tackling it not only involves decarbonising production, but also creating impactful climate stories that stimulate action. Filmmakers from across the world are now engaging audiences of all ages through a broadening breadth of genre, including documentary, drama, comedy and horror. 

The Media Cymru x Ffilm Cymru Wales Climate Stories Fund will build on this momentum by supporting R&D projects for innovative feature films or immersive experiences, which tell climate stories in fresh and compelling ways.

Projects will be awarded up to £20,000 each for a four-month R&D sprint taking place between 1st April and 31st July 2025. The process will begin with an Insight Lab providing successful projects with expert insights into the climate crisis and climate storytelling. At the end of the R&D sprint, projects will have the opportunity to apply for a further £50,000 from Ffilm Cymru Wales to bring their feature film or immersive experience to life. 

The Climate Stories Fund is open to individuals and companies based in Wales with the capacity to research and develop their climate content idea during the sprint in Spring 2025. The fund is also intended to challenge existing structural imbalances in the R&D network, and better represent the social and cultural diversity of the nation’s wider community.

This fund is the latest collaboration between Media Cymru and Ffilm Cymru Wales to lead the way in making Wales’ screen sector more sustainable. Last month they announced investment in seven R&D projects through their Greening The Screen Development Fund. Led by film and TV production companies, studios and facilities based in the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR), these innovative projects will develop new ways to make the Welsh film and TV industry greener, and cover varied elements of production, including power, transport, food, water, and construction materials. 

Lee Walters, Chief Executive of Ffilm Cymru Wales, says: "We are delighted to continue our partnership with Media Cymru to address the climate crisis. This round of funding is sure to inspire a wealth of innovative ideas from our nation of storytellers."

Professor Justin Lewis, Director of Media Cymru, adds: “We’re pleased to be able to offer this new opportunity to help creatives develop compelling new climate stories which provoke, inspire and challenge audiences. It’s critical that this fund seeks to address existing areas of challenge in R&D, we’re therefore keen to see projects which reflect the rich social and cultural diversity of Wales and ensure that projects align with our wider mission for fair, green and global economic growth in the creative industries.”