The Doc Society supports stories and impact campaigns from around the world that move humankind closer to a climate just and biodiverse future. The Climate Story Fund will support 6-8 projects with grants ranging from US$50 thousand to US$125 thousand per project. The fund is open to all mediums and will support both production and impact campaigns. Projects may come from all over the world (including localized stories serving local communities) and can be submitted by both new and established artists. Applications for the Climate Story Fund will close 10 March 2025. Climate Story Fund
“All flourishing is mutual… we are bound together, the flourishing of one is dependent on the flourishing of the other.” These profound words from Robin Wall Kimmerer guide this year’s call for applications for the Doc Society Climate Story Fund. We are seeking stories that illuminate the interconnectedness of all life and demonstrate how climate action can lead to a new era of abundance—one where systems are redesigned to be more inclusive, equitable, and resilient, without leaving anyone behind. These narratives should resonate on a deeply emotional level, reflecting our collective love for our communities, our environments, and the generations yet to come. By amplifying these stories, we hope to activate global audiences to envision and demand a future that balances environmental restoration with social justice, political accountability, ethical migration policies, and the responsible use of technology.
The Doc Society Climate Story Fund supports compelling independent media storytelling and impact strategies from around that world that can help audiences envision the just transition, and activate them to make these visions a reality. The Fund provides up to $125,000 grants to support the completion of production of nonfiction projects, and for impact pilots for completed nonfiction and fiction projects.
We believe investing in culture is a solution to address the climate emergency. We aren’t looking for the one silver bullet story that will work for everyone, rather we believe we need a multitude of stories “as diverse as the ecosystems we seek to save” (props to filmmaker Michael Premo for coining this phrase).
Since its launch in 2021 the Doc Society Climate Story Fund has awarded more than $4M to more than 50 projects that move us closer to a more climate just and biodiverse future. Current grantees represent multiple geographies, spanning from Latin America to Sub Saharan Africa to Southeast Asia. Some grantees are reaching their target audiences on public service broadcasters such as the BBC, POV, via digital platforms like Spotify and YouTube, or even messaging applications like WhatsApp. Others are being picked up by streamers including Netflix, Hulu and Disney+. All projects have signed or are negotiating distribution deals that align with impact goals and potential to engage critical audiences in each context where they are being released. Learn more about our grantees and their impact here.
Key Dates:
| February 10, 2025 | Call for applications opens |
| February 26, 2025 | Call for applications information webinar |
| March 10, 2025 | Call for applications closes at 7:00 AM Pacific Time |
| June 20, 2025 | Shortlisted applicants will be contacted to supply rough cuts (if ready) |
| July 14-16, 2025 | Zoom interviews for shortlisted applicants |
| July 25, 2025 | Selected grantees will be notified |
| August 1, 2025 | Unsuccessful candidates will be notified |
| September 8-9 & 17-18, 2025 | Virtual Impact Lab |
