Climate Action Together

Applications Closed

Introduction

Climate Action Together is a new Impact Distribution Campaign Fund & Accelerator from Together Films. In our inaugural year, we can support two film teams who are releasing their films to public audiences (whether via Festival, Theatrical, Non-Theatrical, Digital or Broadcast) between 1st Jan – 30th June 2025. 

We are seeking applications from filmmakers (with finished films ready to release in 2025) who have ambitions to raise awareness of the climate crisis and recommended solutions to inspire public action and policy change within the UK and/or US. 

Solving the climate crisis relies on many industries and stakeholders taking part. We are seeking projects that highlight unique ways to bring about change, not just focus on the doom and gloom narratives of how bad it currently is. Bring us stories of hope, and direction action. Introduce us to characters delivering innovative solutions. Present solutions that haven’t been seen on screen before. Share stories that will be able to reach audiences in new ways. 

The fund is open to both documentary and scripted projects. 

Submissions are now closed.

The fund & accelerator consists of 3 key elements

Seed funding of £20,000 ($25,000) to support your Impact Distribution Campaign (to cover logistics, marketing and/or staff costs to launch your campaign). Provided as a non-recoupable grant. 

Taking place from Oct 2024 – Jan 2025, our team will work with you to design a detailed impact campaign strategy, build partnerships with key stakeholders, and advise on engaging additional funders. This strategy package is worth an additional £20K. 

Once your campaign is live, receive monthly mentorships sessions with our team to support your progress until June 2025.

Please see further details about the fund and the application process below. We look forward to receiving your application.

Contents of this page: 

  • Guidelines
  • Timeline: including registering for our informational webinar on July 1st, 2024
  • FAQs
  • Application Form

 

If you have any questions about the application process or require further access assistance, please contact: fund@togetherfilms.org.

Guidelines

The following information, along with the introduction video above should provide enough details for you to complete a compelling application.

You may wish to look at some of our recent case studies, such as Patagonia’s We The Power, for inspiration on some of the elements you could include in your Impact Distribution Campaign application. 

We are also deeply inspired by the following films that delivered innovative & creative impact campaigns in recent years. You may want to look into their campaigns for ideas. 

The Territory poster
i am greta poster
2040 US poster
Delikado poster

The fund can support

  • Impact Distribution Campaign & Marketing Costs
  • Impact Campaign Costs
  • Film Festival Activations
  • Non-Theatrical Screening Tours
  • Educational Engagement
  • Impact Advisors + Consultants
  • Impact Material creation
  • Travel and Hospitality for screening tours
  • Staff costs & per diems for the film team
  • Partner stipends
  • Venue hire and logistics
  • Social Media & Graphic Design activations
  • Press & Publicity (which focusses on the climate issues in the film, not just a regular PR campaign).
  • Short form video editing and photography
  • DCP + Virtual delivery costs
  • Access Support Costs
  • And any other legitimate costs that relate to the impact distribution and marketing costs to bring the film to public audiences. 

The fund can't support

  • Film Development
  • Film Production
  • Film Post-Production

Application Process

  • The application will be open from 13th June – 31st July 2024.
  • All submissions must be completed by 10pm GMT / 5pm ET on Wed 31st July 2024.
  • Our team will be reviewing submissions as they are received, so you are advised to apply as soon as you are ready.
  • We ask that you submit a short clip introducing your team and why you would like to take part in this accelerator and receive the grant. We will be working closely with your team for nearly a year so we would love to get to know you. This doesn’t need to be polished, and can just be recorded on your phone for ease. We will not be judging the production of your video, instead focussing on what you tell us about your work and your ambitions.
  • We will be shortlisting up to 10 projects to meet with our team for an interview to discuss your campaign aims and objectives.
  • Following the interviews, 2 projects will be offered contracts for the grant, strategy support, and mentorship guidance.
  • By submitting for this funding application you acknowledge that your team will be available to take part in a 4 month (virtual) strategy design process from 1st Oct 2o24 – 31st January 2025, which will consist of bi-weekly calls with our team, and the preparation of materials to activate your campaign. 
  • The assessment process will consider the creative excellence of the film itself, the coverage of climate issues within the film (and how they might relate to audiences), and the initial ideas you have for your impact campaign. We do not expect you to have a fully developed strategy in order to apply – just a sense of what you might like to achieve. 
  • You’ll be asked to complete an equality monitoring form once you have submitted your application. The data that you submit on this form will be confidential and anonymous, and will not be seen by the staff assessing your application.
  • Together Films decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 

Who Can Apply?

  • You are the lead producer on the project, or you have the authority to submit the form on behalf of the lead producer. The contract will be issued to the lead producer and they will be responsible for the grant administration and reporting. 
  • You are applying via a registered company (we cannot issue grants to individuals). You must provide your company name and address in the application.
  • You may be from any country, but you this grant has to apply to audience engagement in the UK and/or US. Therefore we are seeking information in your application as to the activities you wish to deliver and the change you want to see in the UK and/or US. Applications relating to activities outside of these countries will be ineligible. 
  • At least 2 members of your team are available to take part in the 4-month strategy design process from 1st Oct – 31 st Jan 2025 (consisting of bi-weekly calls of up to 1hr, plus review of materials created). This might be the Producer, Director, Impact Producer, Film Subject or other member of your team. Those taking part in the strategy design process must have decision making power in the process. 
  • Your film will be released to public audiences between 1st Jan – 30th June 2025. This can be via any format (Festivals, Theatrical, Non-Theatrical, Digital or Broadcast). We will be creating a strategy based on your unique distribution strategy (or helping you to define that). 
  • We are seeking films that discuss the climate crisis, climate solutions and/or climate policy that can directly make an impact in 2025. Why is this period important? Over half the planet will be taking part in elections this year, and we are seeking campaigns that will be able to push for change in the UK and/or US during the first year in office for the next governments in power. 
  • We are seeking transformative, thoughtful, and globally relevant character-driven stories from the world’s best visionary filmmakers. We look for films that are an exceptional cinematic and powerful collective experience, and evergreen titles that are relevant today and continue to inspire for years to come. We know that many of the most successful impact campaigns thrive with group viewing experiences, so we are looking for narratives that play well on the big screen. 
  • Your film is completed or in the fine cut stage (ready to be released to public audiences between 1st Jan – 30th June 2025). As part of the application, we must be able to watch the full film to understand the climate issue that you are presenting.
  • Your film must be a feature film (70 Mins or above). 
  • We welcome applications from first time or experienced Directors.
  • You may have already raised some funding towards your impact campaign (but not more than £50,000). We want to accelerate your impact campaign, and collaboratively create a detailed impact strategy that you can present to additional funders throughout the process. If you are already well financed it’s likely that you already have a great impact strategy and therefore are too far along in your planning. 
  • You may be planning a self/hybrid/creative release of your film or working with an established Distributor and/or sales agent. If you are already signed with a representative we would need assurances from your agents that you will be able to activate the proposed plan (usually requiring you to retain some form of non-exclusive access to your non-theatrical rights). We can explain this further if you get to the interview stage. 

Timeline

Wed 13th June, 2024
Applications Open
The application form will be live on this page for interested parties to submit their film for consideration.
Wed 13th June, 2024
Mon 1st July, 2024 (5pm UK / 12pm ET)
Informational Webinar
We are hosting an informational webinar to provide further information about the fund, and answer any key questions from film teams interested in applying. Please register for the Zoom webinar to receive the recording via email if you can't attend live on the day.
Mon 1st July, 2024 (5pm UK / 12pm ET)
Wed 31st July, 2024
Application Deadline
Applications will close at 10pm GMT / 5pm ET on Wed 31st July, 2024. The form will disappear from this page at that time. No late submissions will be able to be accepted.
Wed 31st July, 2024
Mon 19th August, 2024
Shortlist invited to interview
Up to 10 shortlisted film teams will be invited to interview.
Mon 19th August, 2024
Tues 27th -Thurs 29th August, 2024
Interviews
Shortlisted filmmakers will meet with the Together Films team for a 45 minute interview to discuss their objectives for their campaigns.
Tues 27th -Thurs 29th August, 2024
Fri 30th August, 2024
Final Selection Informed
Final two campaigns selected to proceed with the grant and accelerator programme.
Fri 30th August, 2024
Tues 1st Oct, 2024
Impact Strategy Process Begins
Your 4 month strategy process with the Together Films team will commence. You will receive 50% of your grant (£10,000) as we start work together. You must be available for your strategy onboarding call (2hrs) during this week, and for bi-weekly calls of 1hr with our team throughout the next 4 months.
Tues 1st Oct, 2024
Fri 31st Jan, 2025
Impact Strategy Process Completes
The Impact Strategy process is completed and you will receive the final 50% (£10,000) towards your impact campaign activation.
Fri 31st Jan, 2025
Mon 3rd Feb - Fri 27th June, 2025
Campaign Mentorship
Your film must be released to public audiences in some form (whether theatrical, non-theatrical, virtual or broadcast between 1st Jan - 30th June, 2025). Our team will provide monthly mentorship meetings to ensure you stay on track with your goals.
Mon 3rd Feb - Fri 27th June, 2025
Fri 30th May, 2025
First Reporting Period
An interim report is due at this stage to report on initial campaign activities delivered in Q1/Q2 2025.
Fri 30th May, 2025
Fri 19th Dec, 2025
Final Report Due
A final report is due no later than Fri, Dec 19, 2025 covering any additional activities from your campaign delivered in 2025.
Fri 19th Dec, 2025

What's included in the 4 Month Strategy Design Process?

The 4-Month Strategy Engagement Phase will run from 1st Oct 2024 – 31st Jan 2025. Your team must be available to take part in bi-weekly calls during this time and help to craft materials to use during your campaign. 

The specific items that we will commit to are outlined as follows, which are valued at £20,000:

Our strategy team will work with you to devise a comprehensive impact strategy and prepare key campaign materials that can help you achieve your partnership and fundraising goals. We will plan a Brainstrust with partners and/or funders in order to stress test your strategy and engage with those at the heart of the issues in your film. Partner collaboration is key in ensuring a truly impactful campaign.

  • 2-hour strategy consultation call led by a senior member of the Together Films strategy team.
  • Research on key themes and issues related to your project (to inform our strategy thinking)
  • Impact Strategy deck creation (10-20 page deck branded to your project)
  • Research up to 20 partners OR funders (depending on what is most crucial for your project)
  • Follow up calls to review deck (2 x 1-hour calls)
  • Consultation on partner and funder engagement (reviewing any other materials drafted by you during our contract term that you would like our thoughts on)
  • Access to Together Films Impact Strategy Template Library
  • Customisation Support for using the Template Library
  • 4 x Individual strategy calls to discuss Funding Strategy, Partnership Strategy, Marketing Strategy & Material design.
  • Potential for up to 3 partner calls (for partners unable to attend Brainstrust)
  • Brainstrust Meeting (Preparation, Invitations, Hosting, Engagement and Follow up process with up to 12 partners and/or funders)

 

Brainstrusts may go by many different names such as “Impact Strategy Meeting”, “Partners Preview Discussion”, “Stakeholder Meeting”, “Impact Partners Meeting”, but the goal stays the same – to engage partners and/or funders in an early conversation about the impact potential of your title. Our team will help to:

  • Conduct research to refine your Brainstrust guestlist (this can include partners and/or funders depending on your needs)
  • Draft compelling invites for guests and send invitations
  • Manage guestlist for the event
  • Refine the perfect agenda to ensure that the meeting will be most fruitful. Topics can include, consultation on impact objectives, partner needs within the issue sector, opportunities for collaboration, upcoming distribution plans.
  • Chair the meeting and introduce all guests to the aims and objectives of the campaign

 

Conducting a Brainstrust will allow you to:

  • Consult with issue experts and sense check your strategic objectives – we believe that any successful strategy needs to be built alongside those at the centre of the issue.
  • Forge early connections with those at the heart of an issue – often these partners will be your biggest collaborators when you come to launch your impact campaign.
  • Strengthen the appeal of your campaign for funders – all funders will need to see that your strategy has been built in consultation with others in the space.

How will the mentoring work?

Once you campaign is live in 2025, you will receive monthly mentoring calls led by Sarah Mosses (Founder & CEO) and Glynnis Ritter (Head of Impact Strategy & Campaigns) to ensure you progress with your goals. 

The mentoring meetings can cover any topics that will aid your success including but not limited to: 

  • Film Festival activations
  • Additional Fundraising advisory
  • Awards Process and strategy
  • Communications & PR engagement
  • Pricing strategy for non-theatrical licensing
  • Building a speakers fee program for your team 
  • Evaluation processes
  • And anything else that you will find helpful

 

As advocates for better mental health in our industry, this also may include conversations around retaining work/life balance, building a sustainable campaign without reaching burnout, and/or how to structure a campaign that is sensitive to everyone’s needs depending on the themes in your film. If professional mental health support is needed we can recommend additional partners for you to speak with.

FAQs

Who are Together Films?

Together Films is an innovative marketing and sales company based in London and NYC serving the international film community. We connect filmmakers, brands and film festivals with audiences so their stories can be heard far and wide.

As leaders in the social impact entertainment space, we believe films can change lives and broaden perspectives. We amplify documentary and narrative films by finding the best audiences to spark conversation and inspire action.

A film does not exist until an audience sees it. We make that happen.

The application must be submitted by one of the Producers of the film. They will be the ones to sign the grant agreement and receive the funds, and therefore must have the rights to activate any plan developed with our team. 

Your film must have been completed between 1st Jan 2023 – 31st December 2024. At the time of the application if your film is not yet completed, we must be able to watch at least a fine cut of the film.

The film must be available to launch to public audiences between 1st Jan -30th June 2025. 

Applications will be accepted between 13th June – 31st July 2024. The submission form will close at 10 pm GMT / 5pm ET on Wed 31st July 2024. No late submissions will be accepted.

Your application will be reviewed by at least 3 members of the Together Films team to progress to the shortlist. Your interview will be conducted by Sarah Mosses (Founder & CEO), Alex Cook (Director of Operations), and Glynnis Ritter (Head of Strategy & Campaigns). 

Depending on the volume of applications received, we may also engage outside peer reviewers to support the assessment process. 

Depending on the complexity of the issues presented in the submissions we may also seek outside advice from climate experts to support our due diligence. 

Sarah Mosses

Founder & CEO

Alex Cook

Director of Operations

Glynnis Ritter

Head of Impact Strategy & Campaigns

Depending on the volume of submissions that we receive for our debut fund, we are not able to guarantee feedback for all unsuccessful applicants at this time. 

For the teams that are shortlisted for an interview with our team, we will provide feedback if they have not been successful to aid their continued fundraising journey. 

No, you and your production company can be from any country, however, the impact campaign that you are launching must have some of its activities based in the UK and/or US to be eligible to apply. 

Your campaign might have additional global activities, but you must make clear the intention to activate audiences in the UK and/or US as part of this accelerator. 

Your film can be produced in any country, and feature any language. However if not in English, the film must have English subtitles available for the campaign launch. 

No. As the fund is a seed fund and accelerator you do not need to have match funding in place in order to apply. 

It’s beneficial for us to know who you think you might be able to secure additional funds from for activation, but our team will also guide you on some additional funders that you should consider. 

  • Video Introduction to the team: As you will be working with our team for nearly a year, we would love to get to know you. The video introduction does not need to be made professionally, you can shoot it on your phone if needed. Please tell us a little more about the film, your background and what impact you hope to achieve. 
  • Budget for the £20K Cash Grant: We would like to know a basic budget outline of how you intend to spend the £20K. 
  • Pitch/Impact Deck: If already produced, please include a pitch/impact deck for the film (this is not required, and don’t worry if you haven’t already produced this). As we will be developing a detailed impact campaign strategy with you, please don’t worry if you haven’t made this yet.
  • Link to a trailer or clip: This will be viewed for all submissions. 
  • Link to the film: If you reach the shortlisted phase we will need to watch the full film. 

No. The Producers will retain all rights to their project and have the ability to sign with any Sales Agent or Distributor as is best for their film. 

We are happy to work collaboratively alongside any outside sales agent or distributor to craft the most compelling plan for your campaign. 

If you do wish to discuss sales representation with Together Films, we will follow our regular acquisition process as outlined on our Submissions page so we can review the commercial potential of the film.