7 June 2023 | Barbican Centre
TV has the power to start conversations and entertain people in huge numbers… but how can we harness that power when it comes to saving the planet?
Can the TV industry – producers, execs, talent, commissioners, development teams, writers, directors – respond with work that brings an audience in, rather than making them switch off?
The Climate Content Summit will examine what cuts through with audiences, identify the messages and themes that viewers respond to, and discuss how to make sure programming stays relevant as society and values are affected by climate impacts.
Join us at the Barbican for a packed programme of talks, discussions, Round Tables and Workshops.
Attendees to the Climate Content Summit can now apply to join small and focused round table discussions with some of the UK’s top TV commissioners.
The closed-door sessions will be a chance to engage with commissioners from across different genres and have open-ended discussions about climate change and sustainability on screen.
A limited number of funded passes are now available for freelancers and small indies. To apply, please get in contact with us through the link attached.
Welcome to the Climate Content Summit! Join us at 9am for coffee and pastries in the Garden Room.
Hear from Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee, Chris Stark. Chris led the Committee’s work to recommend a ‘Net Zero’ target for the UK – and has developed detailed advice on the path to carbon neutrality.
Get an insight into what your audiences want from climate storytelling with an exclusive look at new research and insight.
Speakers Include:
Amiera Sawas - Chief Research and Engagement Officer, Climate Outreach
Anna Parker, Research Manager, BBC
Nicky Hawkins - Framing and insight consultant, Heard
Catherine Graves - Research Fellow, Albert
Hear from commissioners from key UK broadcasters including the BBC, Channel 4, Sky, and UKTV.
Speakers include:
Alf Lawrie, Head of Factual Entertainment, Channel 4
Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual, BBC
Lucy Willis, Commissioning Editor, Channel 5
Helen Nightingale, Head of Factual & Factual Entertainment, UKTV
Tilusha Ghelani, Commissioning Editor, Sky
Writer, director, and filmmaker Richie Mehta discusses the responsibility of the creative community when it comes to climate, and his work on the Apple TV+ drama series ‘Extrapolations’
Host: Roger Harrabin, Journalist
TV weather presenter, meteorologist, and author Laura Tobin discusses covering extreme weather, looking at the impact of climate change, and how she is discussing climate change with audiences.
How can storytellers ensure their work has an impact beyond its life on-screen? Producers and creatives discuss how to ensure climate content has a legacy and life off, as well as on, screen.
Speakers Include:
Steve Smith, Executive Producer, Picture Zero
Keith Scholey, Co-CEO, Silverback Films
Richie Mehta, Filmmaker and Director
Thimali Kodikara, Series Producer & Co-Host ‘Mothers of Invention'
More scripted content is produced now than ever before, but only a tiny fraction of it even acknowledges what is now the reality of the climate crisis. In this session, a panel of producers, commissioners and creators discuss the opportunities and challenges of creating content about the climate crisis. The panel will discuss the psychology, narrative and industry insights that inform this challenge.
Chaired by Josh Cockcroft, Director, Climate Spring
Speakers Include: Lucy Stone, Director, Climate Spring;
Jess Moore, Writer & Researcher; Ali Dowling, Creator & Activist
Samantha McMillon, Chief Operating Officer, Quay Street Productions
Hear how the UK’s biggest broadcasters are working to deliver climate content.
Host: Carys Taylor, Director of albert
Speakers include:
Jeremy Mathieu, Head of Sustainability, ITV
Gaby Hornsby, TV Lead for Sustainability, BBC
Meghan Lyvers, Director of Original Drama, UK and Ireland, Sky Studios
Charlotte Ashby, Head of Production, Carnival Film & Television
