Since 2008, the Environmental Film Festival at Yale (EFFY) has been America’s premier student-run film festival dedicated to telling stories that reflect environmental themes. We recognize the immense power of film to highlight society’s largest issues and potential paths toward an equitable and sustainable future. Through screening narrative and documentary films, EFFY achieves its mission to showcase the environment’s past, present, and future via compelling stories and moving images.
Founded by a group of dedicated students, EFFY has evolved over the years, now spanning a vibrant weekend that features exclusive screenings of television and film, workshops, and panel discussions at some of Yale and New Haven’s most iconic venues.
Our panels have delved into a wide range of topics, from environmental justice and resilience to Indigenous knowledge to the art of environmental storytelling itself. We've had the privilege of hosting esteemed guests such as Dan Rather, Leonardo DiCaprio, Van Jones, Gus Speth, and Jeffrey Sachs.
Every spring, EFFY showcases incisive, cutting-edge films that highlight the environmental and social issues of our time. We unpack and explore these films with expert panels of filmmakers, celebrities, scholars, activists, and public servants. We promote storytelling, amplify voices that need to be heard, and provide our audience with context, criticism, and greater insights.
If you have questions, please contact us at yaleeffy@gmail.com.
