Remember the Future
Basic information
Project Title
Remember the Future
Full project title
A bold vision for a climate-stable, sustainable future.
Category
Regaining a sense of belonging
Project Description
“Remember the Future” transports young people to 2074—through the eyes of a visionary climate activist. Merging AI visuals with cinematic storytelling, it narrates a tale of hope, where young Europeans reshaped a climate-stable world. This film isn’t just a story—it’s a call to action and a blueprint for a sustainable future.
Geographical Scope
Cross-border/international
Project Region
CROSS-BORDER/INTERNATIONAL: Austria, Germany
Urban or rural issues
It addresses urban-rural linkages
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
“Remember the Future” is a short film set in 2074, interviewing a protagonist born in 1999 who reflects on humanity’s pivotal moments leading to the stabilization of the climate at 1.5°C. The project targets a wide demographic with a focus on young people, aiming to educate and inspire proactive climate action.
Our specific objectives include raising awareness of climate issues, promoting sustainability, and providing an engaging educational tool for climate literacy. Through a compelling narrative and the innovative use of generative AI and digital filmmaking, we have created a film that offers a vision of hope and a roadmap to a sustainable future.
In the year following the application, we plan to expand the project’s reach by translating it into multiple European languages, adapting it to various regional contexts, and integrating it into educational curricula. We aim to foster local solutions to the global challenge of climate change, emphasizing the project’s adaptability and the universal relevance of its message.
The envisaged results include increased engagement with climate initiatives among youth, better-informed communities, and the integration of the film into educational settings as a resource for climate advocacy. Indirect beneficiaries are global, as the promotion of sustainability and environmental consciousness has universal applications.
We prioritize geographical diversity, with the narrative already rooted in Austria and Germany, and further iterations planned for other European regions. This approach ensures a balance between the ‘soft investment’ in cultural and educational transformations and the ‘hard investment’ in sustainable practices influenced by the film.
With its completed status, “Remember the Future” provides an immediate tool for impact while maintaining the flexibility for further development, embodying a dynamic response to the pressing need for environmental action across diverse European contexts.
Our specific objectives include raising awareness of climate issues, promoting sustainability, and providing an engaging educational tool for climate literacy. Through a compelling narrative and the innovative use of generative AI and digital filmmaking, we have created a film that offers a vision of hope and a roadmap to a sustainable future.
In the year following the application, we plan to expand the project’s reach by translating it into multiple European languages, adapting it to various regional contexts, and integrating it into educational curricula. We aim to foster local solutions to the global challenge of climate change, emphasizing the project’s adaptability and the universal relevance of its message.
The envisaged results include increased engagement with climate initiatives among youth, better-informed communities, and the integration of the film into educational settings as a resource for climate advocacy. Indirect beneficiaries are global, as the promotion of sustainability and environmental consciousness has universal applications.
We prioritize geographical diversity, with the narrative already rooted in Austria and Germany, and further iterations planned for other European regions. This approach ensures a balance between the ‘soft investment’ in cultural and educational transformations and the ‘hard investment’ in sustainable practices influenced by the film.
With its completed status, “Remember the Future” provides an immediate tool for impact while maintaining the flexibility for further development, embodying a dynamic response to the pressing need for environmental action across diverse European contexts.
Key objectives for sustainability
The “Remember the Future” short film anchors its sustainability objectives in both content and production. The storyline weaves a future where sustainability is not an aspiration but a reality, demonstrating the effectiveness of individual and collective actions in addressing climate change.
By projecting a just and attainable vision of the future, the film galvanizes change agents—inspiring young people, educators, and communities to engage actively in crafting a sustainable tomorrow. Our project transcends traditional environmental messaging, avoiding doomsday scenarios in favor of empowering tales that energize and motivate. This narrative strategy is critical; we are not simply depicting a sustainable future but architecting a compelling call to action that resonates with the human spirit. In production, we commit to sustainability through energy-efficient filming techniques, digital effects that eliminate the need for physical sets, and electronic distribution to minimize environmental impact. This project is exemplary in its approach to sustainability by aligning its narrative ambition with its operational ethos. We employ emerging technologies such as AI and virtual production, significantly reducing the resource footprint commonly associated with film production. By showcasing a model where the film industry can operate sustainably, we aim to inspire peers to follow suit, proving that high-quality cultural outputs need not compromise the integrity of our planet.
By projecting a just and attainable vision of the future, the film galvanizes change agents—inspiring young people, educators, and communities to engage actively in crafting a sustainable tomorrow. Our project transcends traditional environmental messaging, avoiding doomsday scenarios in favor of empowering tales that energize and motivate. This narrative strategy is critical; we are not simply depicting a sustainable future but architecting a compelling call to action that resonates with the human spirit. In production, we commit to sustainability through energy-efficient filming techniques, digital effects that eliminate the need for physical sets, and electronic distribution to minimize environmental impact. This project is exemplary in its approach to sustainability by aligning its narrative ambition with its operational ethos. We employ emerging technologies such as AI and virtual production, significantly reducing the resource footprint commonly associated with film production. By showcasing a model where the film industry can operate sustainably, we aim to inspire peers to follow suit, proving that high-quality cultural outputs need not compromise the integrity of our planet.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The aesthetic allure of “Remember the Future” lies in its rich visualization of a sustainable world, where both urban and rural landscapes have evolved in harmony with nature. Our depiction of fashion and music, integral to cultural identity, shifts away from consumerist ideals toward sustainable practices, influencing societal norms. This film does not just entertain; it invites viewers to experience and aspire to a world where sustainability is interwoven with the fabric of daily life. These concrete visions serve as powerful catalysts, stirring the imagination and seeding the desire for change. They offer tangible glimpses into a world where sustainability is the norm, where cities breathe greenery, and communities thrive in balance. The film’s aesthetic quality lies in its ability to visually captivate while retaining authenticity, offering an experience that resonates on a deeply human level. This project is an example for how design and culture can intersect to craft experiences that are not only beautiful but also carry a profound and urgent message. This intentional design philosophy makes “Remember the Future” a beacon within the New European Bauhaus movement, setting a precedent for how cultural outputs can encapsulate and radiate the essence of sustainable living, shaping public perception and driving the shift towards a resilient, regenerative future.
Key objectives for inclusion
Inclusion is at the core of “Remember the Future.” The film’s narrative showcases the importance of inclusive action and collaboration in tackling global challenges. We’ve ensured the project is accessible by leveraging multiple languages and providing subtitles, thereby reaching a diverse audience. In its development, individuals from varied socio-economic backgrounds contributed, reflecting a governance model that values all voices. The project exemplifies cross-generational collaboration, reflecting the inclusivity that is paramount in both its creation and reach. The production process itself was a tapestry of perspectives, uniting young visionaries with experienced professionals to foster a learning environment rich with exchange and innovation. In distribution, we leverage digital platforms, transcending geographical and generational barriers, ensuring that the film's message is not confined to the few but accessible to the many. By engaging a diverse audience across age groups, we bridge the gap between current policymakers and future leaders. This approach underlines the project’s inclusive ethos—every voice matters in the fight for a sustainable future. The digital distribution also emphasizes the role technology plays in democratizing information, making the transformative narrative of “Remember the Future” a shared heritage rather than a gated privilege. The project stands as an exemplary case of ‘design for all,’ ensuring that the message of climate action is not just for the privileged few but is accessible and relatable to all.
How Citizens benefit
“Remember the Future” is a grassroot narrative borne out of citizens’ aspirations for a sustainable future. Integral to its development was the involvement of citizens who are advocates and activists themselves, ensuring that the project resonated with the authenticity and urgency of real-world environmental action. The director, actress, and consultants brought a lived experience of activism to the table, translating their passion for change into a narrative that moves and motivates. The film has touched the hearts of its young audience, stirring emotions and fostering a sense of empowerment. This emotional impact is a testament to its participatory approach, where citizens are not merely passive recipients but active contributors to the climate conversation. Their involvement has been the pulse of this project, guiding its direction and ensuring that the film does not just speak to the youth but speaks for them. By harnessing the energy and ideals of its citizen collaborators, “Remember the Future” has emerged as a beacon of citizen-driven change, demonstrating the profound impact of involving those both benefiting from and affected by the project in its very creation.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Innovative character
“Remember the Future” disrupts the conventional climate narrative by choosing optimism as its foundation, specifically aiming to inspire the youth. This deviation from mainstream dystopian storytelling is an innovative stride, aligning with the psychology that hope galvanizes action more effectively than fear. By merging human intelligence with AI, the project crafts a novel cinematic language; AI-generated visuals serve as a canvas for the human-led story, acting, and craftsmanship, resulting in a rich, low-resource filmmaking approach. The film translates systemic environmental issues into an intimate, character-driven narrative, making the global personal and the complex understandable. Its production epitomizes cross-disciplinary and inter-generational teamwork, marrying the wisdom and experience of different ages and professions. This blend not only lowers barriers to entry for filmmaking but also sets a new standard for how stories can be told, shared, and received in an eco-conscious era, positioning “Remember the Future” as a frontrunner in the evolution of climate communication.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
The fabric of “Remember the Future” is woven with threads from diverse disciplines, including creative concept development, climate storytelling, policy expertise, and film production. The interdisciplinary interaction began with the core ideation process, where a designer and director, supported by climate experts and speculative design thinkers, iteratively forged the project’s vision. The protagonist’s narrative was co-developed with an actress who brought her theatrical direction expertise, enhancing the story’s depth. Visual storytelling was crafted under the advisement of design experts, which was then translated into reality by a skilled production team including a fashion designer, director of photography, and sound and editing specialists. The involvement of generative AI introduced a cutting-edge layer to the narrative, illustrating a symbiosis of technology and art. The interaction among these disciplines did not merely add value; it created a whole greater than the sum of its parts. The process fostered innovation, ensuring that each creative and technical aspect of the project was a conversation between various fields, resulting in a film that is as scientifically credible as it is artistically compelling. This interdisciplinary synergy is what positions “Remember the Future” as a paragon of the New European Bauhaus initiative, showcasing the transformative potential when different fields converge in pursuit of a shared vision.
Methodology used
The methodology of “Remember the Future” is grounded in the principles of systemic design, specifically adopting the Double Diamond approach of the Design Council to ensure a thorough and reflective design process. This iterative framework champions divergent and convergent thinking, encouraging a broad exploration of possibilities before refining and delivering the final product. Feedback loops with the target audience are integral, ensuring the narrative resonates and engages effectively. Scenario development utilizes the Futures Cone and speculative design techniques, coupled with strategic foresight to develop a science-based fictional narrative of possible futures. The project's approach to storytelling, acting, and production is deeply collaborative, creating a synergy between traditional filmmaking and innovative practices. The introduction of generative AI tools into digital filmmaking represents a pioneering step, leveraging technology to enhance creativity rather than allowing it to dominate the conversation. This methodology not only produces a compelling and forward-thinking story but also forges a template for future projects seeking to integrate technology and human creativity in environmentally and socially conscious ways.
How stakeholders are engaged
The collective wisdom of stakeholders at local, regional, and European levels has been the cornerstone of “Remember the Future.” Advisors for concept and production from various strata of expertise—ranging from local to national experts and European activists—infused the project with a diverse and robust understanding of the climate crisis. The engagement of local designers and European experts during concept development enriched the story's relevance and reach, while the practical insights from local production experts, coupled with advice from regional and European distributing experts, ensured a seamless realization and dissemination of the film. This multilevel stakeholder engagement has not only added depth and breadth to the project but also solidified a trans-European commitment to sustainability, demonstrating how collaborative approaches can amplify the impact and scope of creative endeavors. The added value of this engagement is clear: a more nuanced, inclusive, and far-reaching climate narrative that resonates across borders.
Global challenges
“Remember the Future” confronts the quintessential global challenge of climate change by igniting the collective imagination. It tackles the prevalent deficit in envisioning and motivating a transition towards sustainability by showcasing how individual local actions can contribute to a larger systemic change. The film illustrates tangible local solutions—like community-driven green initiatives, decentralized renewable energy projects, and successful collaborations between civil society and governing bodies—that viewers can relate to and implement. By seeding ideas through a compelling narrative, the project serves as a catalyst for systemic thinking and localized action. It encapsulates the ethos of addressing global environmental challenges by empowering local communities with the vision, knowledge, and motivation to pioneer change. In this, “Remember the Future” stands as an exemplar of how storytelling can bridge the gap between global challenges and local solutions, fostering a grassroots movement towards a sustainable and inclusive future.
Learning transferred to other parties
“Remember the Future” is engineered for adaptability. Its most potent aspect—the AI-generated visions of a sustainable future—can be tailor-fitted to various European locales, embodying their unique cultural, ecological, and societal nuances. This ability to morph narrative elements to resonate with distinct regions and languages positions the project as a dynamic storytelling platform, with potential extensions into series, interactive media, or educational content. The narrative's plasticity allows for iterations that address different regional challenges, thereby maintaining relevance and impact across diverse contexts. By transforming into different media—be it social media shorts like TikToks, interactive installations, gaming experiences, or educational books—the story’s essence can proliferate across various touchpoints, fostering climate literacy and inspiring actionable insights. This multimedia, multifaceted approach underlines the project’s high transferability, enabling it to become a central hub for climate education and a motivational force for change across Europe and potentially the globe.
Keywords
Narrative
Optimism
AI-copowered Storytelling
Future Visioning
Empowerment
