“Tough Conversations in Tough Times”

"Tough Conversations in Tough Times" documents the international conference of the same name held by the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) from 3 to 5 December 2025 in Berlin, which brought together scientists, politicians, activists and representatives of civil society to discuss the growing societal resistance to ambitious sustainability policy. At the centre were questions of new narratives, political strategies and alliances for a just socio-ecological transformation.

LIBRA Film accompanied the event with the camera and developed a conference film that connects central debates with personal encounters and different perspectives. Interviews and conversations feature, among others, Jürgen Trittin, Manisha Anantharaman and Farhana Yamin.

The film shows how important open exchange about conflicts, fears and hopes is for finding shared paths towards a sustainable future. With a sensitive eye for nuance and dynamics, the film distils complex content into a striking portrait of a conference that puts the courage for dialogue at its centre.