Turning ‘Sorry’ Into Action: Parents for Future UK Wins at the Big Syn Film Festival
You may have already heard of Parents for Future UK. They are an incredible group of parents pushing for the necessary social and political changes to help stop the climate crisis, wanting to give children everywhere a better future. Today, the group is one of the biggest climate groups in the UK, with over 35,000 supporters (and still growing) and a thriving community, both online and offline, of over 35 local groups. You’ve probably also seen their social media, with several viral videos using comedy to show what’s really at stake for future generations, and encouraging thousands of parents to speak up.
They’ve made a huge impact as part of the ‘Stop Rosebank’ campaign, a national effort to stop the UK’s biggest undeveloped oil field from going ahead. They organised a family lobby in Parliament, wrote open letters to MPs, and joined forces with other climate groups to push for change.
Celebrating Their Wins
We’re so proud to share that Parents for Future UK has won the Charity Film Award at the 2025 Big Syn International Film Festival, the world’s biggest sustainability film festival.
Parents for Future UK’s film stood out from over 300 charity entries, and it’s easy to see why. Using humour to capture attention, it flips the classic British tendency to say “sorry” into the powerful message that failing to act on the climate crisis is an apology our children should never have to hear.
The film, created in partnership with Potential Energy Coalition and Droga5, aired as an advert across digital and TV in the Midlands and Yorkshire, encouraging parents to join the dots between the climate crisis and our reliance on fossil fuels. It’s a brilliant example of how creativity, community, and storytelling can broaden and build support for bold climate action.
As Charlotte Howell, Co-Director at Parents for Future UK, said: “Capturing attention is hard. Touching hearts is harder. That’s why we’re so proud of this film, and of the work we’re doing to bring creativity, humour, and heart to the greatest challenge of our time [….] We need stories, humour, and culture to build connection, inspire action, and make this transformation feel both personal and possible. And that’s just what we hope we have achieved with this film.”
To mark the win, a short snippet of the film will take over London’s Piccadilly Lights in Piccadilly Circus on Friday, November 14th 2025, at 11 am.
What's the Big Syn Festival?
Since 2019, the Big Syn Film Festival has inspired over 50 million people in 120 countries, using the power of storytelling to inspire people and bring the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to life.
Each year, it brings together a global community of filmmakers, from first-time creators to Oscar and BAFTA winners, with the winning films screened around the world. Backed by the Mayor of London, the United Nations, the British Council, YouTube Kids, and others, the festival aims to push for urgent climate action and a fair transition away from fossil fuels.
Where Does The Social Change Nest Fit In?
Parents for Future UK use both our Fiscal Hosting and Grant Management service, helping them take care of their administrative and financial tasks to allow them to focus more on their incredible mission. We’ve been working together since 2021, and it’s been amazing to watch their movement grow. It’s an absolute pleasure to collaborate, and we can’t wait to see what they do next!
