Happy 100th Birthday Sir David Attenborough
“Our Promise To You”
A Global Children’s Tribute to Sir David Attenborough at 100
On 8 May 2026, to mark Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, children from around the world come together in a one-minute film with a simple but powerful message:
Thank you.
And we promise to carry this forward.
Created by YESfest in collaboration with global partners across art, education and environmental engagement, the film is both a tribute and a statement of intent from the next generation.
A global portrait of connection
The film weaves together:
- A multi-part a cappella performance of “Happy Birthday” by Stevie Wonder, recorded by a global children’s choir
- Two parallel installations of over 100 large-scale black-and-white portraits, created with the Inside Out Project
- Contributions from the YESfest global community
These installations are displayed at:
- TERRA, The Sustainability Pavilion, Expo City Dubai
- The Great Room at the Royal Society of Arts, London
Together, they reflect a generation whose relationship with nature is both deeply local and inherently global.
A different kind of climate story
YESfest exists to explore how environmental stewardship and civic identity can take root in childhood.
Rather than leading with fear, this film embodies a different approach: serious in intent, joyful in execution.
Inspired by Sir David’s belief that:
“No one will protect what they don’t care about. And no one will care about what they have never experienced.”
This is a story of connection first—and action that follows.
Origins of the film
The idea for this project emerged from a collaboration between YESfest and Nature Wave, whose work similarly focuses on deepening people’s relationship with the natural world as the foundation for meaningful action.
The film also features acclaimed children’s author Simon James, whose work has long explored children’s connection to nature.
With thanks
This film is the result of a truly global collaboration.
With deep gratitude to:
- YESfest CIC
- Inside Out Project
- Nature Wave
- Expo City Dubai
- Royal Society of Arts
- Simon James
- JESS Jumeirah Chamber Choir (Sophie Wetherell)
- The entire YESfest global community—children, educators, families, artists and partners—whose voices, creativity and care made this possible
