Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital

Since 1993, the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF) has been the world’s premier showcase of environmental storytelling. Our mission is to harness the power of film and community to illuminate, celebrate, and inspire positive and lasting action for our planet.

Our screenings are held at amazing venues across the DC Metro Area, including museums, embassies, universities, and other leading arts, cultural, and scientific institutions.

Voted DC’s Best Film Festival by the readers of Washington City Paper the last 7 years in a row!

Submission Categories:

Short Films
This category includes films with a running time of 40 minutes or less, including credits.

Feature Films
This category includes films with a running time greater than 40 minutes.
Please carefully read the following rules and guidelines for submission requirements.

Questions?
If you have questions about DCEFF or your submission, contact info@dceff.org.

2026 AWARDS INFO WILL BE RELEASED IN FALL 2025

Past DCEFF Awards:

Eric Moe Award
For Best Short on Sustainability - 2025 - $5,000
Recent Winners: Keeper, Wings of Dust, Water Warriors

Flo Stone & Roger D. Stone Award
For Outstanding Artistry in Filmmaking - 2025 - $10,000
Recent Winners: A Life Among Elephants, The Night Visitors, Fire of Love

Shared Earth Foundation Award
For Advocacy - 2025 - $10,000
Recent Winners: Out of Plain Sight, We Are Guardians, Game Changers

William W. Warner Voice of Nature Award
For Reflecting a Spirit of Reverence for the Natural World - 2025 - $5,000
Recent Winners: Lowland Kids, Delikado, The Lost City of Z

Eligibility:
DCEFF accepts films in any genre with themes related to the natural and built environment.
While the Festival does not exclude films with prior screenings, premieres are strongly encouraged.
DCEFF accepts unfinished films with an expected completion date no later than January 2026.
Non-English language film submissions must include embedded English subtitles.

Screener Format:
DCEFF requires an online screener submitted through FilmFreeway for consideration. Passwords for private links must not expire before February 2026.

Selection Status:
Filmmakers will be contacted about selection status in February 2026 through FilmFreeway.

Rights & Releases:
-By entering a film for consideration to DCEFF, the submitter understands that they own or control the film's copyright and are duly authorized to submit the film to DCEFF.
-DCEFF 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 Festival.
-DCEFF and its partners are harmless from any claims connected with the film.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Ignacio Walker

One of my favorite film festivals! They managed to packed all the theaters, which for a filmmaker means a lot! Great communication and friendly staff. Top organization!

April 2026

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Ben Masters

We had a truly awesome experience at DCEFF and felt deeply honored to share our film with such a passionate and welcoming community in the nation’s capital. From thoughtful conversations to inspiring fellow filmmakers and a beautifully curated program, it was a weekend to remember. We’re so grateful to have been part of it.

June 2025

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David Usui

Just got back from DCEFF and honestly, what a great experience. Brad, Jacob, Samantha, Monica—the whole team is just…the real deal. Super generous, thoughtful, and clearly putting a ton of heart into everything they do. The audiences were amazing too—totally locked in and asking sharp questions. It all just felt really human and alive. Grateful to be part of it.

April 2025

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Allison Argo

Love, love, love this festival! Filmmakers get to see their films in top notch venues with full houses. The festival staff is wonderful, communication and organization is great, and the overall spirit of the festival is both serious and uplifting. Excellent!

April 2025

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Erika Valenciana

This is my second year participating in this festival and I love it! The team is so friendly, communicative and considerate. Great filmmaker experience, great venues, thoughtful Q&As, and well curated films. Bonus- it's during cherry blossom season so the city is beautiful at that time. Now I have to always have an environmental film in the works so I can keep returning. :)

April 2024

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