*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 2026 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
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 - $500
Attendees vote for their favorite film of the festival! This film is often honored with multiple screenings at Best of Festival events throughout the year.