From Retina to Heart! For 18 years, we've been inspiring people with environmental documentaries for environmental and climate protection.

Films for the Earth is an international competence center for environmental documentaries, consisting of two non-profit environmental education associations in Switzerland and Germany, as well as the International Films for the Earth Foundation. We aim to inspire, inform, sensitize, and inspire action in as many people as possible for environmental and climate protection through selected films. Our focus is on films that highlight the impact of humans on our Earth, promote appreciation for nature, and provide solutions and action options.

Films for the Earth brings people in front of environmental documentaries – both at in-person film screenings and online. We provide environmental education for both students and adults.
We work with curated films of high quality and are familiar with all relevant and best environmental documentaries worldwide. This allows us to offer the right film for every topic and need.

With our events, we aim to create a space for encounters, networking, and exchange. The audience is sensitized to environmental issues and solutions, locally connected, and encouraged to take action.

Our activities include film events such as the annual Films for the Earth Festival, a nationwide pop-up cinema, digital school initiatives, film consultations, and a film library with over 600 environmental documentaries.

The majority of our offerings are free of charge and accessible to everyone.

The Films for the Earth Festival will award the following prize: Films for the Earth Prize for 1000 CHF.

Rules and Terms:

• Theme: The content of the submitted films must have a clear connection to environmental topics, addressing issues such as climate change, biodiversity, pollution, or the relationship between human societies and the natural world. Films should explore solutions, highlight challenges, or provide insight into the cultural, social, or scientific dimensions of environmental issues. Whether focusing on global challenges or local success stories, the narrative should inspire awareness, engagement, and action toward a sustainable future.

• Production Period: Only films completed in 2024 or later will be considered. Rough cuts and projects in development are welcome and can be submitted via email for consideration (submission@filmefuerdieerde.org).

• Origin: Submissions are welcome from all over the world.

• No Promotional Productions: Submitted films must not be promotional productions or primarily commercial in nature.

• Subtitles: Films must include at least English subtitles, with German subtitles preferred.

• Runtime: Films must have a minimum runtime of 60 minutes (feature length).

• Technical requirements: Kindly submit your film through a YouTube or Vimeo link, ensuring a minimum resolution of 1920x1080 (HD).

• Content Policy: Films with pornographic or unconstitutional content, material that could corrupt juveniles, defamations, or infringements of personality rights will be strictly rejected. Likewise, any film containing racist, misogynistic, misandrous, or homophobic content will not be accepted.