Experiencing Interruptions?

My Extinction

What does it take for us to act on climate – especially if we’re the kind of person who should already be acting?

In this funny, relatable documentary, a filmmaker finds the first step is letting those difficult feelings of climate anxiety in, and sharing them with others. He then discovers how oil-backed propagandists funded our denial and paralysis -- so he helps raise a generation’s voices, from Zadie Smith to Mark Rylance, in vibrant chorus against them.

MY EXTINCTION is a revealingly honest account of how to feel your feelings, act on your privilege, and get active when threatened with extinction.

  • Josh Appignanesi
    Director
    The Infidel, Husband, Female Human Animal
  • Devorah Baum
    Producer
    The New Man, Husband
  • Zadie Smith
    Key Cast
    "contributor"
  • Mark Rylance
    Key Cast
    "contributor"
  • Simon Schama
    Key Cast
    "contributor"
  • Ali Smith
    Key Cast
    "contributor"
  • George Monbiot
    Key Cast
    "contributor"
  • David Graeber
    Key Cast
    "contributor"
  • Simon McBurney
    Key Cast
    "contributor"
  • Susie Orbach
    Key Cast
    "contributor"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Environmental, activist, comedy
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 20 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    June 29, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    150,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • COP28 (climate conference) 2023, Dubai
    Dubai
    United Arab Emirates
    December 6, 2023
    Invited to screen to delegates (technically international premiere?)
    Invited to screen to delegates (technically international premiere?)
Distribution Information
  • Dartmouth Films
    Distributor
    Country: United Kingdom
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Josh Appignanesi

Josh Appignanesi is a writer/director whose work spans fiction, documentary and the space in-between. His six feature films were released theatrically in over thirty territories and online in over a hundred, with work gaining festival Competition slots at Tribeca, Rotterdam, Cannes/ACID, Berlin and Sheffield, awards at London, Edinburgh, Turin, Kodak and BIFA and BAFTA nominations.

He directed the acclaimed features HUSBAND (2022), FEMALE HUMAN ANIMAL (2018), THE NEW MAN (2016), THE INFIDEL (2010) and SONG OF SONGS (2006), and co-wrote US rom-com ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME starring Sarah Jessica Parker.

Most recently, feature doc MY EXTINCTION (2023) is touring 50 UK cinemas to wide acclaim and press interest, and upcoming projects are all in the ‘climate space’.

He has directed Tom Hiddleston, John Malkovich, David Tennant, Archie Panjabi, Omid Djalili, Claudia Jessie, Miranda Hart, and Richard Schiff, collaborating with David Baddiel and artist Martin Creed, with cultural figures like Zadie Smith, Mark Rylance, Hisham Matar, Slavoj Zizek, Chloe Aridjis, and John Berger appearing in his films, often playing ‘versions of themselves.’

Widely reviewed, with interviews on BBC Newsnight, BBC Radio, and in The Times, The Observer and The Guardian, his work has been shown on BBC TV, Channel 4, MUBI, and BFIPlayer. Funders have included BFI, BBC Films, Channel4, Film London, Arts Council England, WellcomeTrust, and AHRC.

www.joshappignanesi.com

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Why is it that we know full well what's happening to the climate, but then basically do almost nothing about it?

That was me, and perhaps it's a picture you chime with. I wanted to understand, for my children's sake and with quite a bit of guilt behind it, why the hell that was. That's why I began charting the barriers - emotional as well as political - to getting into climate activism. What was stopping me? And how we might try to remove those things together? Thanks for taking a look!