The Into Film Festival 2025 opens with premieres of 'Future Council'

The Into Film Festival 2025 got off to an incredible start on Friday 7 November, with several European premieres of Damon Gameau's inspiring new film Future Council taking place in London, Belfast and Cardiff.

Future Council sees Gameau gathering an inquisitive group of teenagers and helping them set off on a road trip across Europe to lobby powerful leaders to take action against climate change. We were delighted to be joined at the Cineworld Leicester Square in London not only by Damon Gameau, but also by Cece, Joaquin, and Ruby - three of the young Future Council members featured in the film.

"The reason I made this film was for your generation", explained Gameau as he introduced the film to an audience of young people. "Because I think you should have a say and a voice in shaping your own future. And that's what this film is about - how we really need your creativity and your morality desperately right now."

Since being a part of the film and setting up the Future Council, the eight young members, who hail from around the globe, have seen their lives change dramatically, balancing their regular school work with visits to the UN headquarters in New York and delivering TED talks.

Gameau, Cece, Joaquin and Ruby spoke to the enthusiastic attendees in London after the screening, taking part in several impromptu Q&A sessions with a passionate young audience that were bursting with questions and keen to seize the moment. With several schools bringing their 'Eco Warrior' groups along - including one group that walked to the screening to help make their visit more sustainable - it was clear that the film had struck a chord. 

We at Into Film are huge advocates of youth voice, and the impact it can have, and we're clearly not alone. The three Council members in London were treated like celebrities, signing autographs and posing for photographs with their peers, as well as answering questions about the fight for a better future. It was the same story in Cardiff, where Future Council member Skye joined us, along with Megan, a member of the Youth Parliament in Wales, both of whom were peppered with questions from a rapt young audience.

"I thought it was really inspiring to hear young people talking to other people and discovering new things" said Keona, aged 14, after seeing the film in Belfast, while Alfie, aged 13, said "It was very interesting. It was good to see young people getting their own ideas in, and leaders were actually listening to what young people are saying".

In London, as Gameau was mobbed by fervent and engaged young people, he was asked by one young boy what message he would offer to the future generation that he's trying to save. "To have hope", Gameau stated simply, before continuing. "There are so many great people doing wonderful things. We don't hear about them on the news, or in social media, because our algorithms don't show those kinds of things, but when you get away from all the craziness there are so many people that care and that are trying to make you a better future. And that when it feels a bit tricky sometimes - just remember that people do care, very deeply. I think we can turn things around and make a very beautiful future."

While Gameau's film focused on the eight initial members chosen to launch the Future Council (they initially received over a thousand applicants!), the idea behind the Council is growing into a global movement.

"You can join the eight children in the film", Gameau explained. "Any child in the world aged between 9-16 years can sign up. You'll get to meet lots of children from around the world. We've just launched in Australia and we've already had more than 250 children sign up. We can help you set up a council in your school, or in your businesses. If you're passionate about nature, you can sign up at futurecouncil.global."

Gameau's previous film, the equally inspiring and hopeful 2040, opened the Into Film Festival in 2019, and we're delighted and honoured that he recognised the Into Film Festival as the perfect place to give his new film its European premiere.

The Into Film Festival continues across the UK until Friday 28 November, with thousands more free film screenings, special events, previews, and interactive Q&A sessions with screen industry professionals taking place, making the Festival the perfect opportunity to support young people in enjoying the big screen experience and exploring the world of film. And thanks to our partners at Fruit Bowl, a travel bursary is helping even more young people enjoy the big screen experience

Upcoming highlights include actor Letitia Wright joining us to introduce her directorial debut Highway to the Moon; pupil premieres of Christmas Karma, a new Bollywood-inspired musical take on A Christmas Carol, after which director Gurinder Chadha will be joining us for a Q&A; and a pupil premiere of documentary Prime Minister, which looks at the life and career of former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, who will be joining us in London to speak about the film and her career. The Into Film Festival will close on Friday 28 November with a special pupil premiere of Disney's Zootropolis 2.

These just a few of this year's highlights, but we also have Foley workshops to reveal the secrets of cinema sound, careers masterclasses and the Young BAFTA Showcase, and thousands more screenings and events to engage young people of all ages right across the UK.

Keep an eye out for more Festival highlights over the coming weeks, and if you want to join us, there's still time, with many events still having spaces available. And remember - it's all completely free! Browse now to find screenings near you!

The Into Film Festival is possible thanks to the support of Cinema First and multiple partners across the cinema sector.