CineEco - International Environmental Film Festival of Serra da Estrela, organised by the Municipality of Seia, is the only festival in Portugal dedicated to the environment, which has been held uninterruptedlysince 1995.

Based on the motto Films that change the world, the Festival is a meeting point for professionals, researchers and the public. Its mission is to give visibility to today's major environmental issues brought to the Festival by filmmakers and to be a space for reflection and action by offering quality cinema and little-known and alternative cinematographies in relation to the traditional market. It is a Festival that promotes public awareness of cinema, its history and aesthetics, and environmental issues.

1.OBJECTIVES

• To promote, exhibit and award fiction, animation, experimental and documentary films focusing on environmental issues, produced anywhere in the world.

• Promote ecological awareness and highlight natural and cultural heritage.

• Organise complementary activities and encourage the exchange of experiences among participants.

• Boost the identity, economy, and tourism of the region.

Awards & Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to the work judged to be the best in each of the categories.

The films presented in the Festival's Competitive Sections compete for the following awards:

a) INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM COMPETITION
Environment Grand Prize of €2.500.

b) INTERNATIONAL SHORT AND MEDIUM- LENGTH FILM COMPETITION
International short and medium-length film prize of €1.000.

c) PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE FEATURE FILM COMPETITION
Camacho Costa Prize worth €2.000.

d) PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE SHORT AND MEDIUM FILM COMPETITION
Portuguese Language Short Film Award, worth €1.000.

e) REGIONAL PANORAMA COMPETITION
Regional Panorama Prize, worth €1.000, awarded to a work produced in the Serra da Estrela region that best promotes local environmental issues.

f) SHORT FILM COMPETITION FICTION, NON-FICTION AND ANIMATION (up to 10 minutes)
Fiction, non-fiction and animation short film prize - €500.

OTHER AWARDS

g) ENVIRONMENTAL ANTHROPOLOGY AWARD - €1.000
Awarded to the work that best addresses the theme of environmental anthropology, included in the International Feature Film and Portuguese Language Feature Film competitions, depending on the Official Selection and the Jury's decision.

H) ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AWARD - worth €1.000
Awarded to the work that best promotes the theme of environmental education, entered in the International Short and Medium-Length Films and Portuguese-Language Short and Medium-Length Films competitions, depending on the Official Selection.

I) ANIMATED SHORT FILM AWARD - worth €1.000
Awarded to the work judged to be the best animated short film in the International Short Film and Portuguese Language Short Film competitions, depending on the Official Selection and the Jury's decision.

J) YOUTH AWARD - worth €500
Awarded to the work judged to be the best of all the competitive categories.

K) WATER VALUE AWARD - worth €500
Awarded to the work that best addresses the theme ‘The value of water’ among all the competitive categories.

Exceptionally, Honourable Mentions may be awarded.

The Prizes awarded will be accompanied by a trophy and a diploma.

If Honourable Mentions are awarded, they will be accompanied by a diploma.

The results of the competition will be announced at the closing ceremony of the 31st Serra da Estrela International Environmental Film Festival and via the Festival website and other communication channels.

Rules & Terms

Date and Location:

• The festival takes place from 10th to 18th October 2025 at the Casa Municipal da Cultura de Seia.

• Following the festival, films screened during CineEco will be presented in various locations over the next 12 months as part of the Extension Service.

Film Admission:

• Fiction and documentary films, produced for cinema and/or television, national and international, completed after 1st January 2024, are eligible.

• Categories:
• INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM COMPETITION (fiction/documentary, +60 min).
• INTERNATIONAL SHORT AND MEDIUM-LENGTH FILM COMPETITION (fiction/documentary, up to 60 min).
• PORTUGUESE-LANGUAGE FEATURE FILM COMPETITION (+60 min).
• PORTUGUESE-LANGUAGE SHORT AND MEDIUM-LENGTH FILM COMPETITION (up to 60 min).
• REGIONAL PANORAMA COMPETITION.
• SHORT FILM COMPETITION FICTION, NON-FICTION AND ANIMATION (up to 10 min).

• Portuguese-language films may also compete in international categories.

• Non-selected films may be screened out of competition.

Film Submission:

• Submission implies acceptance of the Participation Rules, available at www.cineeco.pt.

• Deadline: Until May 6, 2025 (50% discount until April 14).

• Fees:
• International and Portuguese-Language Feature Film Competitions: €10.
• Short and Medium-Length Film Competitions: €5.
• Short Film Competition (up to 10 min): €2.
• Regional Panorama Competition: Free.
• Required Materials:
• Two high-resolution stills from the film (300 px, max A5).
• Synopsis (original language and English).
• Acceptance and screening/promotion authorisation declarations.

• No refunds in case of withdrawal.

Official Selection:

• Announced by 8th July 2025.

• Selected films must submit required materials (see Point 6 in the rules) by 18th July 2025.

Subtitling:

• Non-English language films must be submitted with a screener and a subtitled exhibition copy in English.

Jury:

• Each competition jury comprises five members, including three film/environment specialists and two young individuals with an interest in these areas.

• There will be three juries, each evaluating different competitions:
• International Feature Film Competition.
• International Short and Medium-Length Film Competition, Short Fiction/Non-Fiction/Animation Competition, and Regional Panorama Competition.
• Portuguese-Language Feature and Short/Medium-Length Film Competitions.
Extensions and Promotion:

• CineEco reserves the right to screen competing films as part of its Extension Service, taking place within one year after the festival, in various locations across Portugal, for non-profit educational purposes.

• The festival reserves the right to broadcast excerpts of selected films on television, cinema, and other media platforms for promotional purposes.

Final Provisions:

• All participants must fully accept the festival rules.

• Any unforeseen matters will be decided by the organisation, with no possibility of appeal.

More information and full regulations: www.cineeco.pt