Pulitzer Center, Financial Times, One World Media Award Climate and Labor Grant to Filipino Filmmaker

The Pulitzer Center is pleased to announce the winner of the first Climate and Labor Grant collaboration with One World Media and the Financial Times. Following a worldwide open call, we selected a grantee from among nearly 200 applications.

Filipino filmmaker Breech Asher Harani will receive funding and support to tell a story about cacao farmers and chocolatiers in the Philippines who mobilize innovations and strategies to combat the impact of the climate crisis on their livelihood.

“I want this film to make people realize that there is more to climate change than carbon emissions and melting ice caps,” said Breech. “The climate crisis is a complex issue and has a domino effect on all aspects of life, including food. I hope this story will catch people’s attention and inspire all of us to take action, no matter how small.”

He aims to approach this lesser-known topic by producing a film that will shine a light on this small community where people work hard not only to provide for their families, but also contribute to the Philippine economy and global food industry. 

“I believe it’s time we hear their voices and share their story to the world,” Breech said. “As humans, stories unite and educate us. Through stories, we create a deeper understanding and connection, regardless of proximity and differences.”

As the climate crisis affects cocoa production around the world, scientists predict that chocolates may go extinct by 2050. Breech’s short documentary will feature a group of cacao farmers and chocolatiers in the Davao Region of the southern Philippines, who are turning to innovative farming strategies to ensure a sustainable future for the world’s favorite sweet treat.

Christine Spolar, climate editor for the Pulitzer Center, praised Breech and the other applicants.

“Pulitzer Center is delighted with the ambitious proposal by Breech Asher Harani — and the excellent proposals we reviewed from so many talented filmmakers. There are many stories to share about the changing climate and its effects on workers and prosperity. This collaboration, we hope, will lead to more fact-based explorations and explanations of the risks,” Spolar said.

Juliet Riddell, head of new formats for the Financial Times, explained why Breech was selected.

“We were incredibly impressed by the number, quality and broad range of applications. The winner was chosen because the topic explores both the challenges and possible solutions to climate change in agriculture and looks to the future. We were also very impressed by Breech Asher Harani’s creative approach and the beautiful images he used in his treatment,” Riddell said.

Breech Asher Harani creates films that tackle social, cultural, and environmental issues. In 2019, he was honored as a Film Ambassador by the Film Development Council of the Philippines when he became a Young Creatives honoree by the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. 

He is also the only Filipino artist listed by Forbes magazine’s "30 Under 30" for Arts in Asia 2020, and was a recipient of the Rockefeller Foundation’s CNN Academy: Climate Storytelling Program 2023, a New Scientist Editor’s honoree by the Royal Geographic Society, and a Special Jury honoree for short film by Cinemalaya 2024.

You can follow Breech on Instagram.

You can find more information about the Climate and Labor Grant collaboration with the Financial Times and One World Media here. Learn more about the Pulitzer Center's Our Work/Environment reporting and engagement initiative.