The 10th Earth Port Film Festival will screen short films that tell stories of people taking action worldwide to address the environmental challenges facing the Earth today. We accept all film genres — animation, documentary, music videos, fantasy — from youth and adult filmmakers. Films must be less than 20 minutes in length. The festival will be held at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport, Massachusetts on April 21, 2024.

Film submissions will be accepted from filmmakers of all ages. Awards are given for Best Short Film, Best Very Short Film, Best Young Filmmaker and Audience Choice. Winning films and other selected entries will be screened at the festival.

The Earth Port Film Festival was founded in 2012 by PortMedia and Transition Newburyport to highlight and raise awareness of both pressing environmental issues and the important role of community media. The intent of the film festival is to demonstrate the power of film in communicating about important issues.

Proceeds from the Earth Port Film Festival are used to support the training and skill development of Newburyport youth and adults in the art of communicating via film.
Newburyport is a vibrant, thriving, historic New England seaport community of 17,000 people with a strong tradition of support for the arts and a commitment to the environment. It is a Commonwealth Green Community. The Firehouse Center for the Arts is a waterfront theater and cultural center in Newburyport's Cultural District.

Best Short Film

Best Very Short Film

Audience Choice Award
This prize is shared with other categories.

Best Young Filmmaker
This prize is shared with other categories.

A Young Filmmaker is one who will have not reached his/her 19th birthday on or before April 21, 2024.

If selected for screening an H2.64 NTSC copy must be submitted for exhibition.

By submitting an entry (“Film”) in the Earth Port Film Festival, entrant (“Filmmaker”) agrees to these Rules. The Earth Port Film Festival (“EPFF”) is conducted by Newburyport Community Media Center, Inc., d/b/a, NCM Hub, 331 High Street, Newburyport, Massachusetts 01950 and any reference to EPFF shall include NCM Hub.

1. Theme: The competition is open to short film that tell stories of people around the world taking action to address the environmental challenges facing the Earth today

2. Film Categories
Very Short: Running time of less than 5 minutes.
Short: 5 to less than 20 minutes.
Running time shall include all credits.

3. Judging Criteria: Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
Artistic Merit
Filmmaker's Storytelling Ability
Technical Merit

4. Film Language: Films that are not in English must be subtitled or dubbed in English.

5. License to EPFF:
Submission of Film gives EPFF and NCMHub permission to use brief segments of the Film and submitted press kit stills for marketing, promotion, and publicity purposes.

6. Ownership by Filmmaker: By submitting a Film, Filmmaker affirmatively states that he/she/they, own the copyright to all material in the Film; and/or have obtained all necessary licenses to all materials, of whatever kind, in the Film of which he/she/they do not own the copyright; and, he/she/they have obtained necessary releases from all persons that appear or can be heard in the Film, or in the event such person is under the age of majority, from their legal guardian.

7. Filmmaker Authority: Filmmaker affirmatively states that he/she/they have the authority to, and by submitting a Film, in fact, authorize EPFF to screen the Film.

8. Breach by Filmmaker: Filmmaker assumes all liability for violations of copyright, licenses, privacy laws in the state/country where the Film was shot, or violations of or compliance with any distribution agreement.

9. Reliance by EPFF: EPFF will rely upon Filmmaker’s affirmative statements made by submitting a Film relating to copyright, licenses, releases, and distribution agreements. Filmmaker releases EPFF for any and all claims and liabilities with respect to publicizing, screening, or cablecasting the Film, regardless of when such claim is made or liability arises.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Simon Mendes

    I had a wonderful time at Earth Port Film Festival. Elizabeth was beyond accommodating, connecting us with local folks in the neighborhood who offered me and the film protagonist a place to stay for the evening. The festival itself was engaging, in a lively and robust venue, and there was a great deal of audience participation. I highly recommend this festival, it's a wonderful way to spend Earth Day weekend. With only thanks, Simon.

    May 2017
  • Great film festival that focuses on the environment!

    May 2017