Calling all environmental and climate focused filmmakers! Submit your innovative films to the Climate Action NOW (CAN) Monthly Film Festival, dedicated to showcasing solutions to our three greatest global crises: climate solutions, biodiversity loss solutions, and the plastic crisis solutions. We invite submissions that inspire action, spark dialogue, and promote sustainable practices. Join us in amplifying voices that are making a difference. Be part of this exciting event and contribute to a vital conversation about the triple crises that threaten humanity's survival.

CANMFF is a wonderfully unique format, screening the Official Selections at a steady pace throughout the year, one film screening per month for 6 months. Following each screening, there will be an engaging panel discussion. We have a successful track record of filling the 250 seat theatre for each of our CANMFF Spring 2025 screening events, which have all been held in the iconic Cinema Arts Theatres located in the heart of Fairfax County, Virginia, just 30 minutes from our nation's capital.

"I had a great time last night and was very impressed by the excellent organization, large interested crowd, and engaging questions. I was also impressed by the panel you put together because it nicely covered science, policy, and actions. Thanks for bringing this movie to your group and supporting our cause. Cheers, Pat" -Dr. Pat Megonigal, Senior Scientist at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, SERC

"Many many thanks for all of your enthusiam and thoughtful attention to detail — it clearly made this screening a success!" -Lisa Landers, 'Giants Rising' Writer/Director

ABOUT FAIRFAX
Fairfax County is the bedroom of Washington DC, and is where the majority of our government, military, political, and tech leaders reside, most of whom spend a major portion of their time trying to solve these three life-threatening crises. Each of the selected films will receive excellent exposure as communities across the country strive to reach carbon reduction targets, mitigate climate impacts, and transition to a more sustainable, circular economy.

FALL 2025/SPRING 2026 SCREENING DATES
October 27, November 17, January 26, February 23, March 23, and April 27.

ZERO WASTE EVENTS
We promote zero waste events. Attendees are encouraged to bring their clean, empty reusable drink and popcorn containers. Cinema Arts Theatres is able to price based on size.

Awards & Prizes

AWARD LAURELS:
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Award of Excellence
Green Audience Choice Award
Nature's Champion Award
Critics' Choice Award
High Impact Award
Act Now Award

All the climate-biodiversity-plastic solutions films will be promoted on social media throughout the year in one of the country's most influential markets. Our mission is to help amplify your solution so that it's quickly adopted by families and communities across the U.S., and hopefully becomes legislation in countries and states as soon as possible.

Rules & Terms

CANMFF is an approved climate solutions 501C3 (EIN:87-2679837) on a mission to promote the most effective climate-biodiversity-plastic solutions to the public and community leaders as we race to stay below 2ºC.

1. Rolling Submissions that run from September 2025-July 2026. First come, first serve. We only select 6 films, so we encourage you to submit early. Once the 6 films are chosen, the door will be shut for 2025 and our focus will shift to 2026. Please email any questions you may have about rolling submissions.

2. We're highly selective, seeking solutions-orientated films, which is a very narrow category. Thus, we have a pre-screening process that will save you time and money. Submit the Youtube or Vimeo trailer link for free through email to and we'll get back to you within 2 weeks. If approved, you can then follow the normal FilmFreeway submission process as outlined on this page and pay the associated fee.

3. We'll choose 1-3 films for each of the various screening dates at least 2 months prior to each date, if not sooner.

4. Ideal runtime is 75 minutes. Generally, nothing below 60 minutes, or above 90 minutes, although we do make exceptions.

5. Premieres are a priority, although prior screenings are also eagerly accepted.

6. We only accept films through FilmFreeway.

7. If your film becomes an Official Selections, you MUST provide high resolution film poster (both vertical and horizontal) that includes title, director, and filmmaker, laurels, etc, along with a separate brief summary. We will also need an MP4 file of your film.

8. Entry fees are nonrefundable.

9. English language ONLY.

10. We only communicate through email.

RIGHTS & RELEASES
・By entering a film for consideration to CANMFF, the submitter understands that they own or control the film's copyright and are duly authorized to submit the film to CANMFF.
・CANMFF reserves the right to copy and use any publicity materials (photographs, film stills, trailers, and film segments up to 3 minutes) for non-commercial promotional purposes and for archival material, at no additional cost prior to and throughout the film's public screening date.
・By submitting a film, the submitter shall indemnify and hold harmless CANFF from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.