The Heart of the Movement
New York City, New York | Film Short
Documentary
In between navigating their twenties under Trump’s America, at the heart of the current climate movement lie the stories of young organizers working to push our government to act with the urgency with which the climate crisis demands. This project aspires to tell the stories of these young people.
The Heart of the Movement
New York City, New York | Film Short
Documentary
1 Campaigns |
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In between navigating their twenties under Trump’s America, at the heart of the current climate movement lie the stories of young organizers working to push our government to act with the urgency with which the climate crisis demands. This project aspires to tell the stories of these young people.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
OVERVIEW
In between navigating their twenties as young people under Trump’s America, at the heart of the current youth climate movement lie the untold stories of Black and Latine organizers working to push our government to act with the scale and urgency with which the climate crisis demands. But given the shifting political environment, these young people aren’t just fighting to stop climate change… they’re also organizing to prevent this country, the U.S., from falling into a pit of authoritarianism that will not only make life increasingly more difficult and oppressive for communities across the country but also make stopping the worst effects of climate change nearly impossible.
The clock is ticking… both on climate change and on preventing this country from falling into the hands of a full-on fascist dictator. It is truly a race against time.
This project aspires to tell, in the fierce urgency of now, the stories of these young people. Who are they and what motivates them? How were they pulled into climate organizing? How have they pivoted in their organizing in response to Trump’s aggressive acceleration towards authoritarianism? How are their communities being impacted? What does organizing look like under this administration? And finally, where do we go from here?
WHY NOW: THE URGENCY OF THIS MOMENT
Especially during a time when the current administration is ruthlessly attacking climate work and charging organizers and leftists who fight for such justice as “domestic terrorists”, I hope this project brings to life that these young people aren’t “violent” or “terrorists”... but young people who care enough about this country that they’re willing to sacrifice much in their lives to make it better.
OUR HOPE FOR THIS FILM
We hope this project moves viewers away from hopelessness and towards action. We want to make the case that organizing works; it is how we build towards a society where people and the planet, not corporations, not authoritarian, not fascist and not dictators, are able to thrive.
TIMELINE & FUNDING
For The Heart of the Movement, we’re moving from pre-production into production as of October, 2025. The goal is to film our season from October - March, and finalize editing by May of 2026 and begin distribution of the film in the summer of 2026.
The budget for the 6 episode film series is $76K.
IMPACT
Our target audience is young people, especially Black and Latine young people, who we hope to inspire to join the climate fight. We also generally want to target young people and share the powerful work of organizing, in hopes that they join movements, including Sunrise, who are fighting at the intersection of climate, economic, and social justice.
One of the key ways we hope to reach and engage young people is through social media. You have to meet people where they are! We will create an Instagram page for this project and include the portraits and images, the stories of the young people we photograph, and calls to action for how they can plug into the organizing work in the movement.
We also want to lean on the relationships that we have with folks across the movement. Sunrise currently has over 100 hubs, and we hope to support as many of them to use the film as a tool to reach young people and bring them into Sunrise. We will invite members to host talks and discussions in their community, uplifting the film, and start discussions in their communities on the ways we all will be impacted by the climate crisis and authoritarianism.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
USA Amtrak Rail Pass
Costs $499
Train pass to travel for shooting!
Travel Flights
Costs $3,000
Travel Flights (2 people, 5 cities, $300 a flight)
Travel Lodging for Shoots
Costs $3,000
To travel to shooting locations, we need housing!
Camera op & sound
Costs $3,000
Pay for camera operation & sound during shoots.
Director of Photography
Costs $4,800
Pay a DP for 4 days of shooting!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Dejah Powell: I am the executive producer and Membership Director at Sunrise, a youth-led movement fighting for a livable future for all. Whether I’m leading new member trainings or leading a team to launch Sunrise’s membership and dues drive, I am constantly asking the question of how we build a mass movement with the power to push our government to act on climate with the scale and urgency it demands.
Though an organizer, I have a deep interest in telling stories about young Black and Latinx organizers fighting for climate justice and the Green New Deal. Ever since I have taken several documentary film courses, I have been fascinated with how film has the power to evoke emotion in people and move them into action.
Cydia Flowers: Cydia Flowers is a Belizean-American film director, writer, and producer. She brings a lifetime of experience to her storytelling practice, shaped by a degree in film and psychology from Howard University, acting training at Yale University, and mentorship at the Sundance Institute.
Across her work, she draws from her identity as a first generation artist to explore themes of self-discovery and resilience. As a producer, she emphasizes coming of age narratives which center Black, queer, and women characters. Her mission is to inspire audiences to look beyond their current reality and dare to dream of brighter futures. Her most recent film, Looking at Balloons With a Stranger, was a semi-finalist at the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival in 2024.
Satya Sullivan: Satya is a Cinematographer based in NYC & Boston. Her background is in non-fiction films such as documentaries, commercials, and music videos. She has experience with underwater camera work and considers herself an ocean loving Filipina. She was previously a Newport FILM Cinematography Lab fellow.
Louis Halley : Louis is a producing partner. He is a Cinematographer, Director & Editor. Telling stories, strategizing, and brainstorming ideas are his passions. He currently works as a Senior Video Editor at Warner Music Group.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
OVERVIEW
In between navigating their twenties as young people under Trump’s America, at the heart of the current youth climate movement lie the untold stories of Black and Latine organizers working to push our government to act with the scale and urgency with which the climate crisis demands. But given the shifting political environment, these young people aren’t just fighting to stop climate change… they’re also organizing to prevent this country, the U.S., from falling into a pit of authoritarianism that will not only make life increasingly more difficult and oppressive for communities across the country but also make stopping the worst effects of climate change nearly impossible.
The clock is ticking… both on climate change and on preventing this country from falling into the hands of a full-on fascist dictator. It is truly a race against time.
This project aspires to tell, in the fierce urgency of now, the stories of these young people. Who are they and what motivates them? How were they pulled into climate organizing? How have they pivoted in their organizing in response to Trump’s aggressive acceleration towards authoritarianism? How are their communities being impacted? What does organizing look like under this administration? And finally, where do we go from here?
WHY NOW: THE URGENCY OF THIS MOMENT
Especially during a time when the current administration is ruthlessly attacking climate work and charging organizers and leftists who fight for such justice as “domestic terrorists”, I hope this project brings to life that these young people aren’t “violent” or “terrorists”... but young people who care enough about this country that they’re willing to sacrifice much in their lives to make it better.
OUR HOPE FOR THIS FILM
We hope this project moves viewers away from hopelessness and towards action. We want to make the case that organizing works; it is how we build towards a society where people and the planet, not corporations, not authoritarian, not fascist and not dictators, are able to thrive.
TIMELINE & FUNDING
For The Heart of the Movement, we’re moving from pre-production into production as of October, 2025. The goal is to film our season from October - March, and finalize editing by May of 2026 and begin distribution of the film in the summer of 2026.
The budget for the 6 episode film series is $76K.
IMPACT
Our target audience is young people, especially Black and Latine young people, who we hope to inspire to join the climate fight. We also generally want to target young people and share the powerful work of organizing, in hopes that they join movements, including Sunrise, who are fighting at the intersection of climate, economic, and social justice.
One of the key ways we hope to reach and engage young people is through social media. You have to meet people where they are! We will create an Instagram page for this project and include the portraits and images, the stories of the young people we photograph, and calls to action for how they can plug into the organizing work in the movement.
We also want to lean on the relationships that we have with folks across the movement. Sunrise currently has over 100 hubs, and we hope to support as many of them to use the film as a tool to reach young people and bring them into Sunrise. We will invite members to host talks and discussions in their community, uplifting the film, and start discussions in their communities on the ways we all will be impacted by the climate crisis and authoritarianism.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
USA Amtrak Rail Pass
Costs $499
Train pass to travel for shooting!
Travel Flights
Costs $3,000
Travel Flights (2 people, 5 cities, $300 a flight)
Travel Lodging for Shoots
Costs $3,000
To travel to shooting locations, we need housing!
Camera op & sound
Costs $3,000
Pay for camera operation & sound during shoots.
Director of Photography
Costs $4,800
Pay a DP for 4 days of shooting!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Dejah Powell: I am the executive producer and Membership Director at Sunrise, a youth-led movement fighting for a livable future for all. Whether I’m leading new member trainings or leading a team to launch Sunrise’s membership and dues drive, I am constantly asking the question of how we build a mass movement with the power to push our government to act on climate with the scale and urgency it demands.
Though an organizer, I have a deep interest in telling stories about young Black and Latinx organizers fighting for climate justice and the Green New Deal. Ever since I have taken several documentary film courses, I have been fascinated with how film has the power to evoke emotion in people and move them into action.
Cydia Flowers: Cydia Flowers is a Belizean-American film director, writer, and producer. She brings a lifetime of experience to her storytelling practice, shaped by a degree in film and psychology from Howard University, acting training at Yale University, and mentorship at the Sundance Institute.
Across her work, she draws from her identity as a first generation artist to explore themes of self-discovery and resilience. As a producer, she emphasizes coming of age narratives which center Black, queer, and women characters. Her mission is to inspire audiences to look beyond their current reality and dare to dream of brighter futures. Her most recent film, Looking at Balloons With a Stranger, was a semi-finalist at the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival in 2024.
Satya Sullivan: Satya is a Cinematographer based in NYC & Boston. Her background is in non-fiction films such as documentaries, commercials, and music videos. She has experience with underwater camera work and considers herself an ocean loving Filipina. She was previously a Newport FILM Cinematography Lab fellow.
Louis Halley : Louis is a producing partner. He is a Cinematographer, Director & Editor. Telling stories, strategizing, and brainstorming ideas are his passions. He currently works as a Senior Video Editor at Warner Music Group.