HONORARY JUDGE: BILL McKIBBEN | AWARDS JUDGE: EDWARD NORTON

"Ten Films. Nine Countries. One Urgent Question: What Comes Next?"

THIS TOURING FESTIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILMS explores the 'interior' responses to global warming---the more artistic, more personal, more visceral responses to climate change and to our many possible climate futures.

The festival began its tour in 2024 with Chapter 1, which remains on tour today. Chapter 2 premiered Earth Day 2026 and travels to four continents through 2027. Chapter 3, now welcoming submissions, begins its tour April 22, Earth Day, 2027.

While climate change is front-page news, in our quieter back pages many are grieving. Or outraged. Or frightened. Or numb and isolated and feeling hopeless. Others may be oddly celebrating a future of climate disorder.

This traveling "mini" festival of climate shorts---each chapter is under 2 hours---exposes the full range of human and artistic response to what may be coming next---with drama, comedy, documentary, dance, animation, films of sadness and films of hope.

BILL McKIBBEN, groundbreaking author and leading climate voice today, anchors the festival in a videotaped introduction to Chapter 1.

EDWARD NORTON, four-time Academy Award Nominee and committed environmental advocate, joined him in 2026 as AWARDS JUDGE. Mr. Norton has chosen the prize winners for Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Performance in Chapter 2.

Climate-concerned communities: BRING THE FESTIVAL TO YOUR THEATER, CAMPUS, FESTIVAL, CONGREGATION, MUSEUM OR LIBRARY. See the more than 150 communities hosting the tour so far at ClimateFuturefilm.com/screenings-calendar. Reserve your own date at www.ClimateFutureFilm.com. Email Producer@ClimateFutureFilm.com.

The Festival is produced by Merlyn Climate Grants, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization supporting youth climate leaders 13 to 30. Visit MerlynGrants.org to learn more.

Awards & Prizes

AWARDS JUDGE 2026: EDWARD NORTON

Best Film
David Fox Imagination Award for Best Director
Best Cinematography
Best Performance*

*Awarded for the most compelling on-screen or vocal presence across documentary, dramatic, and animated works.

Rules & Terms

Entries, including title and credits, must have a run time of 25 or fewer minutes.

COMPLETION DATE: Films must have been completed AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 2024.

The Festival welcomes fiction, nonfiction, documentary, drama, comedy, dance, experimental, underground, animation, sci-fi, and ALL other short-film projects.

Filmmakers must be able to provide English subtitles (SRT files), regardless of original language.

Eligible films have no premiere requirements or prior screening restrictions.

PERMISSIONS
By submitting your Film, you are AGREEING to the following:

(1) While YOU reserve all rights and ownership in your Film, you are granting to the festival organizer, Merlyn Climate Grants, the non-exclusive PERMISSION to exhibit your Film, and/or to license others to exhibit your Film, in and as part of the "Climate Future Film Festival." The Festival premieres in Rhode Island, USA, and travels to other cities internationally, remaining on tour through 2027 and beyond. Exhibition may be in physical venues such as performing arts centers, theaters, museums, libraries, other festivals, campuses, and other venues as well as online, and in other media, at the sole discretion of Merlyn Climate Grants;

(2) You are granting to Merlyn Climate Grants and/or its licensees the non-exclusive PERMISSION to exhibit your Film TRAILER, if provided, and/or brief CLIPS from it or from your Film, without prior notice. Such clips may appear on social media pages;

(3) You are granting to Merlyn Climate Grants and/or its licensees the non-exclusive PERMISSION to exhibit any images included with your submission;

(4) You are giving your assurance to Merlyn Climate Grants that you are the legal and rightful owner of the submitted Film and that you own all copyrights to the Film, that you have secured all necessary AUDIO rights and permissions to music used in the Film, and that you have the unconditional right to grant Merlyn Climate Grants and/or its licensees the non-exclusive PERMISSIONS detailed above in sections 1, 2, and 3;

(5) If your Film is selected for screening, you agree that it will not be withdrawn from the Festival, except at the sole discretion of Merlyn Climate Grants, once notification of its official selection has been emailed to you.

Thank you for making and sharing your film. We look forward to seeing your entry!

Climate Future Film Festival℠
[Updated 4/30/2026]

2 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jen Long

    A thoughtful selection of films addressing climate change: some grim, some funny, all carrying important messages for our times. Thank you, Climate Futures for considering my film as a finalist!

    November 2023
    Helpful
  • Ilana Goldman

    I regret that I was unable to attend the festival, but very honored to have my film included. I appreciated the clear communication from the festival director, Jim Stahl. I love that the festival is spreading its important message to other locations with touring.

    November 2023
    Helpful