Imagine a world where film, literature, and climate action converge to spark change. That's precisely what happened at a recent event hosted by Trinity Reads and Skills for Change at TIFF, as reported on December 16, 2025, by Arlo Grzyb-Reed. This event wasn't just a screening; it was a powerful blend of art, community, and a call to action.
The event centered around a screening of Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke (1997), a cinematic masterpiece that delves into themes of environmentalism and the clash between humanity and nature. Participants, including students and members of the community partner Skills for Change, gathered to watch this iconic film. But here's where it gets interesting: the screening was just the beginning.
Before the film, representatives from Skills for Change's Youth Climate Action Initiative, including Rafia Salam, Sunita Lall, Kiethan Theva, and Abdishakur Aligure, led a discussion. They framed sustainability as innovative and inspiring, emphasizing the crucial role of younger generations in shaping the future. This Toronto-based group ignited a hopeful conversation about sustainability, the importance of land connection, and the role of Toronto's youth in addressing the climate crisis.
Princess Mononoke served as a perfect follow-up to this discussion. The film, drawing inspiration from Japanese mythology, history, and nature, explores the consequences of disrespecting the land and its protectors. The story follows an exiled prince and a girl raised by animal spirits, bridging the gap between human and non-human worlds and looking to youth for necessary change. The film's message resonates deeply with the current climate crisis, prompting viewers to consider the challenges posed by past generations and how we can meet them.
Following the screening, the conversation continued at a Trinity Reads climate mixer and author talk in TIFF's upper-floor lounge. Trinity’s Director of Literary Programming Leanne Toshiko Simpson and Trinity Reads student organizer Adaora Olisa hosted the talk, which featured U of T alum Zalika Reid-Benta, author of the shortlisted novel River Mumma. This novel tells the story of Alicia, a young Black woman in Toronto tasked with helping a Jamaican water deity. This highlights the important intersection of cultural identity, reconnecting with roots, and navigating a diasporic identity.
Reid-Benta emphasized the connection between spirituality, ancestral ties, and the land, stating, “There is no way to write about spirituality and connection to your ancestors and not write about your connection to the land.” As a Jamaican-Canadian author, she highlighted the unique spiritual and cultural connection that immigrant and diasporic communities in Toronto have to the land. Her words echoed the cultural and environmental themes of Princess Mononoke, reflecting the core values of Trinity Reads, including land, community, and creative innovation.
River Mumma is one of five shortlisted books selected and championed by Trinity Reads throughout the year. Reid-Benta’s talk was the second event featuring a shortlisted author, setting the stage for the Trinity Reads panel and bookfair on January 29 in Seeley Hall.
Trinity Reads, as a college-led initiative, continues to contribute to the campus community with engaging, sustainable, and mindful events.
What are your thoughts on the intersection of art, literature, and climate action? Do you think events like these can inspire real change? Share your opinions in the comments!
