New York, United States - October 05, 2024

In a bold act of environmental activism, members of Extinction Rebellion dramatically disrupted the Saturday afternoon screening of "Oh Canada" at the New York Film Festival on October 5, 2024. The activists, citing the escalating threat of climate change, delivered a stark warning: "There is no film on a dead planet."

The protest was not aimed at the film or festival itself but served as a stark reminder of the broader, existential threat posed by unchecked climate change. Extinction Rebellion highlighted how natural disasters, increasingly frequent and severe, are disrupting cultural events worldwide. This year alone, the Savannah Film Festival canceled events due to Hurricane Helene, while last year, New York's subways flooded during NYFF premieres, preventing many from attending.

The activists pointed to the global temperature rise, surpassing agreed targets, and the unanimous scientific consensus that without immediate action, climate catastrophe is inevitable. They emphasized that while films like "Oh Canada" portray characters fleeing from one crisis to another, the reality of climate change offers no such escape, with Canada itself facing unprecedented weather conditions.

"Insurance companies are pulling out, premiums are skyrocketing, and this is just the beginning," Shayok Mukhopadhyay, a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion, stated. "If we don't act, there will be no film festivals left to disrupt."

The protest also sought to draw attention to the inadequacy of current climate solutions. "Electric cars and renewable energy are steps, but they're not enough," said Jeff M, another disrupter. "We need systemic change, not just technological fixes."

Extinction Rebellion's demands include the immediate establishment of Citizens' Assemblies to foster informed, democratic discussions on climate policy, aiming for a collective, grassroots approach to tackle the crisis head-on.

"This isn't just about saving film festivals; it's about saving our way of life," Lydia W from Extinction Rebellion added. "We're forced into these actions because the usual channels have failed. We need radical, immediate change."

The disruption at NYFF, while an inconvenience, was intended to provoke thought and discussion, urging attendees and the public to consider the broader implications of climate inaction. "We're at a crossroads," concluded John Mark Rozendaal, "either we face this head-on, or we face the end of civilization as we know it."