*ACFF will consider film submissions of 40 minutes and under for official selections and awards* We will also screen several invited features. Screening films from all over the world, the American Conservation Film Festival (ACFF) is an annual event held in Shepherdstown, West Virginia - a vibrant, arts-focused community 70 miles west of the nation’s capital.

ACFF considers submitted non-fiction and fiction films, provided the theme is driven by environmental or cultural conservation. Of special interest are solutions and conservation heroes among the myriad ways humans interact with wildlife and wild places, issues driven by natural resource conservation, lifestyles in conjunction with changes in the natural world and how young people encounter and understand the natural world. The motivating force behind ACFF is the power of film to engage, inform and inspire.

The 2027 Festival plans to utilize a 400 seat venue providing screenings for a broad range of conservation films with open captions available for each film. Check out this short from 2019's Festival to learn more about ACFF - https://vimeo.com/544737449

Awards & Prizes

Green Fire Award - $1,000
Our most prestigious award, The Green Fire Award, named in honor of Aldo Leopold, is bestowed upon the film that exhibits an extraordinary level of excellence in filmmaking and helps us look anew at our relationship with our environment. Films are selected on the strength of their conservation message, storytelling, and visual impact.

Green Spark Award - $500
One Green Spark award will be granted annually. This award is reserved for films that distinguish themselves in one of three ways:
• by drawing attention to a conservation hero
• by highlighting a pathway to environmental sustainability
• by inspiring the next generation that will take on conservation challenges

Super Short Award - $500
In recognition of the new media landscape since the advent of streaming and the proliferation of social media in which conservation awareness campaigns are often waged using very short films. This award will acknowledge concise storytelling and good editing in films under five minutes.

Student Filmmaker Award - $500
Supporting new and emerging filmmakers is a major tenet of ACFF. We actively encourage student filmmakers to submit their work for review and potential inclusion in the festival. The Student Filmmaker Award Winner receives a $500 cash prize sponsored by Friends of the National Conservation Training Center.

Audience Choice Award - $250/each
Attendees vote for their favorite short and feature film of the festival! These films are often honored with multiple screenings at Best of Festival events throughout the year.

Rules & Terms

Films with these broad topics are generally considered by ACFF:

Climate Change
Consumption and Waste
Energy
Environmental Justice
Nature-based Family Fare
Food and Agriculture
Health and Well-Being
Conservation History and Heroes
Marine Life
Freshwater
Wildlife and Wild Places
Indigenous Culture

ACFF encourages the submission of films that offer diverse voices and youthful perspectives in conservation as well as projects created by under-represented filmmakers.

*Because submission of a film constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions by filmmakers and their agents, please review the following carefully.*

ACFF considers submitted films from all over the world and in all genres, provided they have a conservation theme. All films being submitted to ACFF shall have completed production after May 1, 2024 and may be shared for internal use only by the selection committee and board of directors.

ACFF’s preferred method of submission is by secure online screener via ACFF’s FilmFreeway account. Films with non-English soundtracks must be submitted with embedded subtitles.

All officially selected films and materials solicited by ACFF will be programmed into the Festival to be screened in public venues.

Film submissions utilizing generative AI will be considered however, submitters must disclose its use in writing to ACFF at the time of submission.

If your submission is a student production, be sure to submit it as such. A student is defined as one who is enrolled at an accredited high school, undergraduate, or graduate school. A student is not required to be a film or video major, but must email the name of school where they are enrolled, year of study, advisor's name and email. No student production will be considered if produced as a work for hire.

ACFF is not responsible for notifying any parties other than the entrant, through its listed contact person, of entry status or of any questions or determinations regarding the entry.

It is the sole responsibility of the entity submitting the project to secure permission from the copyright holders of the material contained in the film.

Multiple entries from one submitter will be accepted provided they are submitted individually.

Entrants may re-submit a film submitted in the past that was not accepted as long as the film has been completed in the past 2 years.

If your film is officially selected, you may be asked to provide:
• A downloadable film file with English language open captions that is 1920×1080 pixels, 23.97 fps, 48 kHz Audio, progressive scan in mp4 format
• A digital press kit including promotional film stills in high resolution jpg format, a short synopsis, filmmaker bio and headshot. Bonus points for horizontal and vertical versions of stills.
• A 1920x1080p downloadable trailer file in mp4 format. Bonus points for trailers or highlight clips in vertical versions for sharing on socials.

Note: If materials are not submitted by the applicable deadline, we reserve the right to secure substitute materials from other sources.

Films that are selected by ACFF are chosen by a committee of media and conservation professionals. The quality of storytelling, production value and relevance of topic are principle factors in the selection of films for ACFF.

All entries must include the following:
(1) An online screener completed within the past two years
(2) Contact information for the filmmaker or person handling the submission, including name and email
(3) A short synopsis of the film
(4) Student filmmakers must provide school affiliation, year of project completion, as well as contact info for academic advisor on the project.

Please see our website for additional submission information. http://conservationfilmfest.org/submit/
15 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Matthew Benton

    I wholeheartedly enjoyed and loved this festival throughout the whole weekend.

    It was a long journey to get there from the west coast, but I was enamored by the beauty of the town and the kindness of the festival & locals. A really good programming slate, great films across the board.

    They truly helped with making it possible to attend and were super hospitable. I hope to return in future years, really great experience.

    March 2026
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  • Jocelyn Stokes

    This is a very special festival where they treat the filmmakers like royalty!

    March 2026
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  • Trish Neufeld

    Filmmakers question whether to submit to specific festivals given limited resources - do not question the ACFF! ACFF is a phenomenal smaller festival, with amazingly receptive and friendly festival director Hilary Lo, and an army of awesome volunteers.

    Our film - The Rewilders - screened to a sold out venue, and there is an ardent following of film lovers that descend upon a 400-seat theater in Sheperdstown (essentially every screening), in a very cool, eclectic setting in rural west virginia. Town itself is worthy of a wkd visit, and hospitality unmatched.

    Slate of films selected - top notch! Thanks for the invite, as it was an honor to screen amongst such beautiful films. And a humbling experience to receive the festival's prestigious Green Fire award. Already looking forward to a return to ACFF 2027!

    March 2026
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  • Kelly Sweet

    This is a festival that really cares and is so well run! We will submit again next year.

    March 2025
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  • Aaron Lemle

    This is a special festival run by people who care deeply about the filmmakers and the films. ACFF does a wonderful job of fostering community among filmmakers and the audiences are very thoughtful and engaged. Will definitely submit future projects!

    March 2025
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