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Lights, camera, climate action! A wave of youthful creativity swept through Beijing Normal University’s Zhuhai campus as environmentally themed short films by college students from across the Chinese mainland premiered this week. The event, timed ahead of World Environment Day (June 5), showcased everything from animated tales about endangered species to gritty documentaries on urban pollution – all crafted by Gen Z filmmakers determined to turn eco-anxiety into art.
Organizers called the films a 'green mic drop' for sustainability, blending TikTok-style storytelling with hard-hitting messages. One entry, rumored to be a frontrunner, uses AI-generated visuals to imagine a coral reef revival, while another follows a zero-waste influencer’s comedic misadventures.
'This isn’t homework – it’s hope-work,' said a 21-year-old communications major, whose team collaborated with environmental NGOs to film glacier retreat in western China. Winners will be announced June 3, with top entries screening at international youth climate forums.
With over 80% of submissions addressing biodiversity loss, the competition proves Zoomers aren’t just scrolling through the climate crisis – they’re scripting the comeback.
Student Eco-Film Finalists Revealed Ahead of World Environment Day!
A wave of youthful creativity swept through Beijing Normal University’s Zhuhai campus as environmentally themed short films by college students from across the Chinese mainland premiered this week. The event, timed ahead of World Environment Day (June 5), showcased everything from animated tales about endangered species to gritty documentaries on urban pollution – all crafted by Gen Z filmmakers determined to turn eco-anxiety into art.
for sustainability, blending TikTok-style storytelling with hard-hitting messages. One entry, rumored to be a frontrunner, uses AI-generated visuals to imagine a coral reef revival, while another follows a zero-waste influencer’s comedic misadventures. 
