Aeráid Youth Film & Climate Action Programme

AERÁID: Youth Film & Climate Action is a pioneering FREE arts and education initiative developed by Cork International Film Festival (CIFF) to engage Transition Year students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds/DEIS schools, in climate change awareness and activism through cinema. Aeráid (meaning ‘climate’) utilises the powerful platform of film storytelling to provide a relevant, accessible pathway for youth to understand complex environmental issues.

The idea for “Aeráid” emerged from a conversation between CIFF and Festival Patron David Puttnam following the inaugural Green Screen screening of Animal, presented in partnership with UCC. The post-screening panel featured Niamh Guiry (UCC Green Campus), Alicia Joy O’Sullivan (UCC Students’ Union Environmental Officer and activist), Alannah Wrynn (Fridays for Future Cork), and young climate activist Sarah Sheehy. Inspired by the film and the powerful discussion that followed, David Puttnam proposed the idea of bringing climate action films into every school in Ireland. 

Aeráid utilises the powerful platform of film storytelling to provide a relevant and accessible pathway for young people to understand complex environmental issues and, combined with practical, expert-led workshops, harness creativity and peer-to-peer engagements to motivate positive behavioural changes in their communities.

Programme Goals:

• Improve climate literacy through accessible, engaging storytelling.
• Empower young people to take meaningful action in their communities.
• Combat misinformation and offer constructive, expert-led alternatives.

Delivery Model:

• Includes curated film screenings and expert-led workshops.
• Offers interactive components such as the Aeráid Futures Forum, “Just One Thing” change challenge, and Green Gathering peer-led Forum..
• Designed to create ripple effects in schools, homes, and local communities.
• Available in person in Cork, with the aim to offer an online programme to schools nationwide.

AERÁID YOUTH FILM & CLIMATE ACTION 2026

Cork International Film Festival was delighted to receive a grant from the ESB Energy for Generations Fund to deliver Aeráid to young people during its 71st edition in November 2026.

This project will target Transition Year students, especially those attending Cork DEIS schools, offering free film-based and practical workshops devised by academic experts and film curators. It will address challenges affecting young people’s education and wellbeing, including limited access to clear, actionable climate change information that is relevant to their lives and local communities. By simplifying climate literacy, it will provide an inclusive, engaging platform to understand climate issues and explore positive actions. Building on CIFF’s previous collaborations with DEIS schools, the project will respond to strong demand for such initiatives, which are often underfunded.

To achieve a net zero future by 2040, children’s participation and voices are critical in climate debate and decision-making. EFG funding will provide vital financial support to enable CIFF to develop this project entirely for free, and equip young people and their teachers with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration needed to empower them to be agents of change within their communities in Cork. This would contribute to the Green Transition, and elevate their voices as active stakeholders in climate action.