For the 2020 London edition of the festival, we are selecting 8 short films, which will be screened before each feature film in the program. The topics are the following:
1. CLIMATE (IN)JUSTICE: climate ethics, ecocide, climate equity, climate reparations, countries on the frontline, island nations disappearing, what a just transition would look like, the Global North's historical responsibility, etc.
2. FEAR & HOPE: climate anxiety, positive resilience, how the young generations are coping, emotional and private responses, turning grief and fear into action, etc.
3. POLLUTED POLITICS: international cooperation, the Paris Agreement, Glasgow's upcoming COP26, political inaction, GDP-obsession, structures of power and lobbying, etc.
4. CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE: system change, activism, non-violent revolution, mass mobilisation, youth protests / school strikes, native / First Nation protests, links between Occupy Wall Street and climate action, Extinction Rebellion, creative protests etc.
5. REIMAGINING THE FUTURE: building the transition, a future to fight for, the best scenario vs. the worst scenario, community resilience, progressive politics, Green New Deal, technology, circular economy, etc.
Any film related to one or more of the above topics is welcome.
_______________________________________________________
To be eligible, films need to meet ALL of the following requirements:
1. Be under 10mins long.
2. Serve as a useful commentary on the climate crisis and be related to one (or more) of the topics listed above. A film about nature or environmentalism more in general (e.g. plastic in the oceans, protecting whales, animal rights, pollution, etc.) might not necessarily be relevant, unless it makes interesting links to the climate crisis.
3. Be in digital format. We don't accept physical screeners.
4. Be in English OR have English subtitles. We accept films made in any country and language, as long as English subtitles are provided.
_______________________________________________________
We will strive to pick films following the criteria below:
1. 50% or more made by non-white directors (from BAME / minority backgrounds)
2. Show originality of thought and depth of understanding of the climate crisis, its roots and/or its solutions.
3. Be of high quality in the film's conception and production.
_______________________________________________________
A few last things to note:
- We'll prioritise films made in the past 5 years, although we accept submission of older films too.
- We don't exclude any films on the basis of whether they have been on the festival circuit already, have been premiered already, or are available online (on Youtube, Vimeo etc.) — we want your films to reach as wide an audience as possible, not limit it!
- We accept documentaries, live action, animation, experimental, visual essays, and everything in between!
- We do accept rough cuts / work in progress.
- The submission fee cannot be waived and is non-refundable.