ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Colorado Environmental Film Festival (CEFF) is the premier environmental film festival between the two coasts, annually screening the world's best environmental films in beautiful Colorado!

CEFF inspires environmental stewardship and fosters community connection through film. Founded by a dedicated and passionate core group of environmentally-minded educators, filmmakers, and supporters, CEFF is Colorado’s first and only international film festival that is hyper-focused on environmental themes. Showcasing thought-provoking stories that inspire environmental awareness, conservation, and the urgent need for sustainable change, CEFF sparks essential conversations, empowering individuals and communities to take action, fostering a collective determination to protect our planet and drive meaningful change locally and around the world.

Each year, filmmakers travel to the festival to speak with attendees following their respective films for Q&A chats, and informally throughout the weekend at festival venues. There are many opportunities for filmmakers to connect with industry peers and audiences both in-person and virtually before and during the festival, creating opportunities to amplify the impact of each film and fueling a movement of environmental stewardship that resonates far beyond the screen.

The 21st Annual Festival will feature in-person events February 19-21, 2027 in beautiful downtown Golden, Colorado on the doorstep of the Rocky Mountains and online nationally and internationally for seven days from February 22-28.

ABOUT THE FILMS
Each year CEFF carefully juries and presents compelling films that showcase the beauty of our planet, shed light on the most pressing challenges it faces, and highlight the inspiring efforts of communities dedicated to protecting the environment. By bringing these stories to the forefront, we aim to educate, inspire, and mobilize audiences towards sustainable action and a profound appreciation for the interconnectedness of our planet. The festival especially looks for impact films that offer solutions and serve audiences with a call to action, inviting them to learn about pressing environmental problems and initiatives that anyone can take to improve the natural world.

A panel of filmmakers, educators, media and conservation professionals chooses the films that are selected by CEFF. The quality of storytelling, production value, aesthetics, topic and being solution-oriented are principle factors in the selection of films for CEFF.

Awards & Prizes

If selected to screen at the annual festival your film will be considered for one of five unique festival awards available for the following categories:
o Best of Festival
o Best Short Film (under 40 min)
o Best Feature Film (over 40 min)
o Best Youth Film (created by filmmaker under 19 years old)
o Spirit of Activism

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY:
Please carefully read the following rules and guidelines for submission requirements. If you have specific questions about submitting a film to CEFF, contact films@ceff.net.

CEFF considers any film that meaningfully explores the natural or built environment and humanity's relationship to it. Qualifying topics include but are not limited to climate change, conservation, wildlife, environmental justice, food and agriculture, energy, water, land use, sustainability, activism, and the ways human communities interact with, shape, celebrate, and are shaped by the world around them. CEFF welcomes films that inform, inspire action, or cultivate a deeper appreciation for our environment.

Films may take any format or genre and approach their subject from scientific, cultural, personal, or artistic perspectives, as long as the environment is a central theme and they have been completed within the last 2 calendar years. While the Festival does not exclude films with prior screenings, World, US, and Colorado Premiere submissions are strongly encouraged.

1. Submission copies must be submitted online through FilmFreeway. Passwords for private links must not expire before February 2027.
2. All entries selected for our 2027 festival grant Colorado Environmental Film Festival the right to use photographs, film stills, trailers, and portions of accepted films for promotional purposes and for archival material, at no additional cost.
3. If accepted, final screening copies and all support materials including caption files must arrive no later than December 1, 2026, or the entry will not be included in the festival. Filmmakers are responsible for shipping costs to the festival.
4. Non-English entries must be submitted with embedded English subtitles for all spoken dialogue in the film including that in both the foreign language and any English dialogue as well.
5. CEFF is striving for greater film accessibility for audiences. All accepted films will be asked to provide burned in Open Captions (OC) for the 2027 edition. Closed caption files may be provided as an alternative only if approved by the festival director.
6. Entry fees are nonrefundable. CEFF may deny acceptance of any film at its sole discretion.
7. CEFF does not provide screening fees or honorariums for submitted work — or for any film screening as part of the festival’s juried competition.
8. We offer a limited number of submission fee waivers to filmmakers for whom the entry fee presents a barrier to submission. Complete the waiver form here - https://ceff.net/submit/. Please note that Colorado Environmental Film Festival is a non-profit environmental film festival, and we select films that closely match our mission. The availability or number of fee waivers is not guaranteed. Application Deadline: JULY 31
9. Rights and Releases: By submitting your project, you acknowledge that:
*Your film is not subject to any litigation, nor is it threatened by any litigation
*You are duly authorized to have this film be screened at the festival.
*You have secured the rights to any and all music and/or footage used in the film.
*You fully indemnify and hold Colorado Environmental Film Festival and its partners and agents completely harmless from any and all claims whatsoever that may arise as a result of usage of submitted materials and that you will bear the cost of all reasonable legal fees incurred as a result of the defense of any such a claim.
*You grant CEFF a non-exclusive, non-transferable, royalty-free right and license to use, copy, and display the film and any submitted publicity materials (including without limitation, graphics/images, trailers and portions of the film) from the film (collectively the "Content") for the purpose of (i) showing the film one or more times over the course of the Festival, and (ii) promoting CEFF on its website, in marketing and promotional materials, and in its social media, and (iii) helping with outreach activities outside of the Festival; and (iv) for archival purposes. CEFF’s use of your content in this manner does not grant CEFF any ownership of your copyright or intellectual property.
56 Reviews
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  • MacKenzie Claflin

    I had such a wonderful time at CEFF! Not only is it a space to watch an array of films addressing diverse environmental issues, but it also encourages you to engage with the filmmaking, scientific, and local communities in a way that I have never experienced before. The sheer amount of knowledge and expertise in the screening rooms was inspiring, and I loved the many opportunities for Q&A's and facilitated discussion. Thank you so much for having Fly Chicks there!

    March 2026
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  • Jane Hammond

    Thankyou to the CEFF for selecting Corals' Last Stand. It was exciting to be involved in this incredible festival. I wasn't able to attend this year but have attended previoulsy and this is one of my favourite festivals. Incredibly well run and great communication. It is well worth the entry fees and worth following. It was an honor to be involved. I will be back for future festivals.

    March 2026
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  • Trish Neufeld

    Must admit, was very excited gaining entry to CEFF, and unfortunately was unable to attend live. But the organization and folks behind the festival are incredible - very communicative and helpful (festival director assisted me in finding a cost efficient manner to get captions done), the festival itself seems to draw an incredible cadre of films, and the venue appears amazing in Golden, CO. And although I was unable to attend, the virtual festival and access to films after the fact is hugely appreciated. Definitely submit to CEFF!

    March 2026
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  • Ismaele Tortella

    I’m really happy that my short doc Stone Biter: Saving the Arctic Sea Forests has been selected at the Colorado Environmental Film Festival. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to attend, but the attention and communication from the Festival has been great 😊

    February 2026
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  • Veronica Moscos

    Attending CEFF was truly a wonderful experience. The festival was exceptionally well organized, and the dedication of the many volunteers was evident throughout every event. Their support created a welcoming and smoothly run environment for both filmmakers and attendees.

    The programming was diverse and thoughtfully curated, featuring films of different lengths, styles, and perspectives. It was inspiring to see such a wide range of voices and storytelling approaches represented.

    As a filmmaker, it was both an honor and a pleasure to participate. The audience was engaged and enthusiastic, and it was clear that they appreciated the richness and variety of the films as much as I did. CEFF created a meaningful space for connection, conversation, and celebration of environmental storytelling.

    February 2026
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