Greening our cities, reimagining our future
A total of 15 entries from 8 countries
Yang Tersisa
by Muhamnad Aldi Muldani (Sumedang, Indonesia)
“Yang Tersisa” tells the story of a young man who realizes that waste is not only a problem, but also a potential source of energy and economic opportunity. Through his ideas and innovations, he tries to transform waste into something useful for society and the environment. The film shows that waste is not something to throw away, but something that can be processed and turned into something valuable.
We make the future
by Bea Mariano & April Capalungan (Manila, Philippines)
Fuel prices have been increasing in the past month. In the Philippines weeks ago, a jeepney driver earned PHP 56 (EUR 0.80) after spending PHP 1,200 (EUR 17) on gasoline for the whole day.
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In 2015, the international community agreed to lessen carbon emissions to reach Net Zero by 2050 in what is known as the Paris Accord. In 2023, governments were called upon to transition away from using fossil fuels to using renewable energy by 2030. While this is good news, the reality is renewable energy has to be produced, stored and transmitted. Critical minerals have to be mined.
Our dependence on fossil fuels is causing our climate emergency. We made this video to call for a switch to renewable energy and a circular economy – one where we reuse, recycle, refurbish and repair.
We also wanted to highlight the complexity of this transition and make others see things from our point of view. After all, developing countries are still being exploited by developed countries. The Philippines is also where many of the minerals used in the transition to renewable energy are being mined. In February 2026, our government signed a memorandum of agreement with the United States for the mining of these critical transition minerals. Mining has been linked to human rights abuses, environmental degradation, pollution, displacement.
We used a carousel book to show the circularity and interrelatedness of things. This book, just like the future, is something we can create through collective action. This is a plea to ensure that a just, fair and sustainable transition happens because we live on this planet too.
Saved
by Andrei Cuizon (Cavite, Philippines)
A student is trapped in a chilling cycle of dreams and distorted realities, where a once peaceful school slowly transforms into a decaying nightmare consumed by waste, drought, and destruction. Haunted by cryptic whispers and terrifying visions, she is forced to confront the consequences of human neglect and the terrifying possibility that when the truth is finally realized, it may already be too late.
Insects’ role in biodiversity and climate change
by Nacima Diab (Biskra, Algeria)
This video highlights the critical role of biodiversity, particularly insects, in strengthening ecosystem resilience under climate change in arid regions. It emphasizes how nature-based approaches, such as Integrated Pest Management and urban greening, can restore ecological balance, reduce human pressure on ecosystems, and support sustainable food systems. The aim is to shift perception by showing that even the smallest organisms are essential actors in reimagining a more resilient and sustainable future.
Gocce contate
by Riccardo Riande (Rome, Italy)
Martina, a 21-year-old woman, launches a challenge on social media: to live for three days on just 20 liters of water. What starts out as a game turns into a journey of self-discovery and a shared experience with her sister Valentina. Blending humor and reality, the challenge becomes a viral message about the value of water, the importance of conserving it, and the impact of small, everyday actions.
From waste to life: The power of worms
by Tesnime Deghiche (Biskra, Algeria)
A powerful storytelling journey revealing how tiny worms transform waste into life, restore ecosystems, and offer a hidden solution to climate change.
Why plastic bags are dangerous
by Valeria and Maxim Ulrich (Moscow, Russia)
We are a creative team of a screenwriter and a computer graphics artist. We are seriously concerned about the deplorable environmental situation in the world. We decided to draw attention to the problem of plastic bags which have taken over the world. We created a video about the harm which plastic bags caused to our planet.
The video is about what packages are made of, why they are dangerous and how to deal with all these packages so that they do not harm all of us and the world as a whole. Together we wrote the text and script, developed the concept of graphics and animation, and did the voiceover.
Il respiro del gigante
by Ermelinda Rodio (Cosanza, Italy)
Il video non è solo una cronaca del disastro ambientale, ma una parabola visiva divisa in tre atti distinti:
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L’Equilibrio (Il Passato): Iniziamo con un’immersione macroscopica nella perfezione della natura primordiale. Attraverso dettagli iper-realistici, stabiliamo la bellezza di ciò che stiamo rischiando di perdere.
L’Impronta (Il Presente): La narrazione accelera bruscamente. Le venature naturali si fondono con le mappe stradali grigie della civiltà industriale. Vediamo il riflesso della crisi negli occhi dell’uomo e della fauna.
La Scelta (Il Futuro): Il finale ribalta la prospettiva apocalittica. Attraverso il gesto simbolico di un bambino che pianta un seme, proiettiamo lo spettatore in una visione in cui urbanistica e vegetazione convivono in un nuovo equilibrio tecnologico e biologico.
Giovani eroi
by Filomena Vitale (Gragnano, Italy)
Questo progetto è stato realizzato dagli studenti della scuola secondaria di I grado dell’ istituto comprensivo San Marco Bonito Cosenza di Castellammare di Stabia (NA). Sebbene la sua durata sfori rispetto a quella richiesta ( il cortometraggio dura circa 7 minuti), abbiamo reputato di inviarlo in quanto la tematica è perfettamente aderente agli scopi di questo concorso.
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Ecco una breve descrizione della trama.
Madre Terra, da sempre florida e fruttuosa, è minacciata da tre mostri malefici che mettono a rischio la sua salute. La Terra, in lacrime, invoca disperatamente aiuto! Ma ecco accorrere in suo soccorso un gruppo di giovani eroi, che si metteranno in azione coinvolgendo l’intera umanità.
Il progetto tocca in modo interdisciplinare le tematiche dell’ inquinamento, del Risparmio Idrico-Energetico e della Sostenibilità, con un approccio plurilinguistico. I messaggi cardine infatti sono comunicati in tre lingue: Italiano, Inglese e Francese, a sottolineare il fatto che adottare abitudini “green” sia un’urgenza di assoluto interesse internazionale!
Riusciranno i nostri eroi a salvare il pianeta?
Buon divertimento!
Esmeraldas
by Diana Rocío Ante Padilla (Esmeraldas, Ecuador)
My name is Diana Ante frontera Esmeraldas. I am a professional committed to sustainable development, and since 2019 I have specialized in leadership, climate change, and cities. Through this process, I developed a research focused on the health impacts of heat waves, learning how to map local stakeholders and take action within and for my community.
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I did not want this research to remain just an academic idea. After completing my studies, I looked for ways to take it further and connected with the architecture collective Al Borde en Quito, Ecuador . Together, we revisited the project and co-created an urban intervention proposal: redesigning bus stops as a climate change adaptation strategy in response to extreme heat in Esmeraldas.
The project aims to transform these everyday spaces which currently worsen heat due to inadequate materials into safer, more sustainable, and human-centered infrastructure. Although it could not be implemented due to funding limitations, this video represents the best opportunity to share the process, vision, and potential of the initiative.
Through this experience, it becomes clear how collective action can respond to the impacts of climate change, especially in vulnerable contexts like Esmeraldas, where extreme heat disproportionately affects women, children, and older adults. High temperatures cause dehydration, exhaustion, and worsen pre-existing health conditions, potentially putting lives at risk.
This project not only proposes an architectural solution but also invites us to rethink public space as a tool for care, resilience, and climate justice.
Because in the face of the climate crisis, transforming our environment is also a way of protecting life.
Your smartphone, your weapon
by Rima Djelloul (Setif, Algeria)
The text highlights the important role smartphones can play in protecting the environment. They help raise awareness, encourage positive behaviors, and allow users to monitor and report environmental issues. Digital applications also support eco-friendly activities such as participating in clean-up campaigns and reducing unnecessary consumption.
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To maximize their benefits, education is essential. Schools and organizations should promote digital and environmental awareness to ensure responsible use. Governments and institutions also need to support the development of reliable platforms that promote sustainability.
Collaboration between governments, companies, organizations, and individuals is equally important. Working together allows for innovative solutions, shared resources, and wider impact of environmental initiatives.
In conclusion, smartphones can be powerful tools for environmental protection if used responsibly. Protecting the environment is a shared responsibility, and our daily choices play a key role in building a more sustainable future.
The waste: what we leave behind
by Gerry Ciccimarra (Altamura, Italy)
A woman discovers that every piece of trash she abandons clings to her body. Trapped in a growing nightmare, she watches herself turn into a living heap of waste until the weight pulls her to the brink.
