Rising Up: Film Screening and Q&A

Ages: Recommended for 14+

Young Australians are worried about climate change, but often feel powerless to fight against it. Bold voices and passion are needed to spark action on a broad scale. Join us for a free screening of Rising Up, a new documentary spotlighting communities across Australia and the Pacific that are finding ways to combat the climate and plastic crises threatening their local environments. The globe trotting film features inspiring interviews with local leaders and young environmentalists, and aims to empower viewers to do their part in helping heal the damage done to our planet.

After the screening, hear from the filmmaker, Kal Glanznig and a panel of youth activists.

Kal Glanznig is one of Australia’s leading youth ocean and climate changemakers. A Take 3 For the Sea ambassador, Kal was named Sutherland Shire Young Australian of the Year 2020 and Environmental Citizen of the Year 2023. He has been part of the Youth Advisory Council for World Oceans Day, and has attended the United Nations Climate Change COP in Sharm El Sheik and Dubai as a youth delegate and speaker.

Natasha Abhayawickram is an organiser and campaigner at the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, whilst also being a politics and media student at the University of New South Wales and a research associate at Deakin University. In high school, Natasha organised with School Strike 4 Climate and has been a climate activist since the age of 15.

Sophia Skarparis, aka PlasticFreeSophia, is a youth changemaker combating plastic pollution. At the age of 14, she mobilised and collected 12,000+ signatures to ban plastic bags in New South Wales. Sophia's grassroots efforts led to successful legislation, earning recognition from organisations like Surfrider Australia and Australian Geographic. In 2019 Sophia was named Australian Geographic Young Conservationist of the Year. Beyond advocacy, she integrates eco-conscious practices into daily life, fostering change in school and sports communities.

Joseph Sikulu is a Tongan man from Ha’apai and Vaini in Tongatapu and grew up on Dharug country, Western Sydney. He is an Environmental, Cultural and Queer activist who has work over that last 10 years to build a movement of strong Pacific Climate Warriors across Pacific communities both on island and in the diaspora. He is a climate change campaigner and advocate, the Pacific Regional Manageing Director for 350.org, serves on the Secretariat for the Pacific Climate Warriors and is a Pacific Champion for the Fossil Fuel Nonproliferation Treaty.

This event is presented as part of Climate Action Week Sydney.