Submission Guidelines

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Rules & Terms

Categories & Fees

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December 2024 Festival

You may now submit your films on FilmFreeway for review.

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Do you have a film that will inspire people around the world? A film that brings light to diverse Environmental issues and solutions? If the answer is yes then BCEFF is your film festival!

BCEFF is aiming to bridge the gap between the scientific community and the film industry. We intend to create a culture where films can be reviewed for scientific accuracy and featured in our annual film festivals.

BCEFF is committed to showcasing high-quality programming from diverse genres and subject areas. Through the art of filmmaking, we intend to bring to our audience vital stories that explore the diversity of experience on our planet. We are broadly interested in films that relate to ecological considerations and what is often referred to as “the natural world,” but we are equally interested in the social environment as well, and particularly representations of social and cultural realities that have been ignored or pushed to the fringes.

Examples of subjects that would be of interest to BCEFF include:

  • Stories addressing Indigenous, LGBTQ+, and other cultural or racial groups that are often marginalized within their respective contexts—extending to those who are disabled, those who are part of diasporas, and the wide variety of other cultures and communities who make up the diversity of human life.
  • Cultural analyses addressing gender inequality, sexuality, power dynamics, and systemic racism.
  • Explorations of geopolitical issues, whether or not they are typically associated with environmental crises, such as pandemics, overpopulation, energy sources, sex trafficking, famine, and war.
  • Issues of social justice at the national or regional level, such as those relating to immigration, prison systems, healthcare, and wage inequality.
  • Stories and investigations of ecological topics such as pollution, climate change, and biodiversity. These can be focused on revealing solutions as much as on exposing problems or challenges.
  • Films that explore the realms of technology, psychology, medicine, and spirituality as they intersect with human health and/or with ecological integrity.

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Please contact us if you have any questions whether your film would qualify under this broad definition

Rules & Terms

For the 2024 festival, we will consider films that are:

  • Short or feature length
  • Documentary or narrative
  • Produced anywhere in the world

VENUE:

Online Event

AWARDS & PRIZES:

Each year we will spotlight a different aspect of our environment and have a special award.
Film Awards:

  • Best International Documentary
  • Best Canadian Documentary
  • Best International Short
  • Best Canadian Short
  • Best Children’s Film
  • Best Feature
  • Viewer’s Choice Award

RULES & TERMS:

Eligibility:

BCEFF is committed to showcasing high-quality programming from diverse genres and subject areas. Through the art of filmmaking, we intend to bring to our audience vital stories that explore the diversity of experience on our planet. We are broadly interested in films that relate to ecological considerations and what is often referred to as “the natural world,” but we are equally interested in the social environment as well, and particularly representations of social and cultural realities that have been ignored or pushed to the fringes.

  • BCEFF accepts films in any genre with themes related to the natural and built environment.
  • BCEFF is primarily a platform for showcasing the best new environmental films. While the Festival does not exclude films with prior screenings, premieres are strongly encouraged.
  • BCEFF accepts unfinished films with a completion date of October 2024.
  • Non-English language film submissions must include embedded English subtitles. For any virtual screenings closed captions are required.

Example of subjects that would be of interest of BCEFF include:

  • Stories addressing Indigenous, LGBTQ+, and other cultural or racial groups that are often marginalized within their respective contexts—extending to those who are disabled, those who are part of diasporas, and the wide variety of other cultures and communities who make up the diversity of human life.
  • Cultural analyses addressing gender inequality, sexuality, power dynamics, and systemic racism.
  • Explorations of geopolitical issues, whether or not they are typically associated with environmental crises, such as pandemics, overpopulation, energy sources, sex trafficking, famine, and war.
  • Issues of social justice at the national or regional level, such as those relating to immigration, prison systems, healthcare, and wage inequality.
  • Stories and investigations of ecological topics such as pollution, climate change, and biodiversity. These can be focused on revealing solutions as much as on exposing problems or challenges.
  • Films that explore the realms of technology, psychology, medicine, and spirituality as they intersect with human health and/or with ecological integrity.

 

BCEFF accepts films in any genre with themes related to the natural and built environment.

BCEFF is primarily a platform for showcasing the best new environmental films. While the Festival does not exclude films with prior screenings, premieres are strongly encouraged.

BCEFF accepts unfinished films with a completion date of October 2022.

Non-English language film submissions must include embedded English subtitles. For any virtual screenings closed captions are required.

Screener Format:

  • BCEFF requires an online screener submitted through FilmFreeway for consideration. Passwords for private links must not expire before December 1, 2024.

Selection Status:

  • Filmmakers will be contacted about selection status by October 25, 2024 through FilmFreeway.

Rights & Releases:

  • By entering a film for consideration to BCEFF, the submitter understands that they own or control the film’s copyright and are duly authorized to submit the film to the BCEFF.
  • BCEFF reserves the right to copy and use any publicity materials (photographs, film stills, trailers, and film segments up to 3 minutes) for non-commercial promotional purposes and for archival material, at no additional cost.
  • BCEFF and its partners are harmless from any claims connected with the film.

DATES & DEADLINES

  • Opening Date: December 1, 2024
  • Earlybird Deadline: March 1, 2024
  • Regular Deadline: August 31, 2024
  • Late Deadline: October 31, 2024
  • Notification Date: October 31, 2024
  • Event Date: December 1 – December 31, 2024

CATEGORIES & FEES

Featured Films
Includes films with running times greater than 40 minutes.
 

Earlybird Deadline

  • Standard: $50
  • Student: $40
  • Gold Members: $40

Regular Deadline

  • Standard: $65
  • Student: $55
  • Gold Members: $55

Late Deadline

  • Standard: $85
  • Student: $75
  • Gold Members: $75
Documentary
Includes Documentaries with running over 15 minutes.
 

Earlybird Deadline

  • Standard: $40
  • Student: $30
  • Gold Members: $30

Regular Deadline

  • Standard: $55
  • Student: $45
  • Gold Members: $45

Late Deadline

  • Standard: $75
  • Student: $65
  • Gold Members: $65
Short
Includes short films with running times less than 20 minutes.

Earlybird Deadline

  • Standard: $25
  • Student: $15
  •  Gold Members: $15

Regular Deadline

  • Standard: $35
  • Student: $25
  • Gold Members: $25

Late Deadline

  • Standard: $55
  • Student: $45
  • Gold Members: $45
The Children in Focus
This special segment is dedicated to films that shed light on the unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs of children as they navigate the world of environmental issues including Feature, Documentary, Short and Animation.
Regular Deadline
  • Standard: $25
  • Student: $15
  •  Gold Members: $15

Late Deadline

  • Standard: $35
  • Student: $25
  • Gold Members: $25