Founded by the nonprofit Rainforest Partnership in 2010, Films for the Forest invites filmmakers from around the world to share the voices and stories of forests worldwide, highlighting their rich biodiversity and local communities, their immense beauty and importance to the entire planet, the threats they face, and the opportunities for renewal.

Selected films have been shown as part of the SXSW Community Screening in Austin every March since 2012 and most recently were shown at a special Films for the Forest screening in Tokyo, Japan.

The 2022 Films for the Forest judges included five-time Oscar-nominated filmmaker Richard Linklater; Welsh actor, musician, and activist Iwan Rheon; Colombian filmmaker Juan Sebastián Mesa, director of “Los Nadie” and “La Roya”; Ecuadorian filmmaker Frida Muenala, director and writer from the Kichwa community; and British activist and youth speaker Lucy Houliston.

The theme for the 2023 competition is: "Living Forests. Thriving Future" and challenges filmmakers to express the urgent need for collective action and commitment to stop climate change, and to showcase the value of healthy, standing forests for the future of humanity and every life form on the planet.

“Protecting standing tropical rainforests is a climate solution that plays a vital role in our collective future, no matter where on the planet we live,” said Niyanta Spelman, CEO of Rainforest Partnership. Every action matters.

Awards & Prizes

Documentary Shorts Category, Winner and Runner Up — Award Certificate & Official Laurels

Narrative Shorts Category, Winner and Runner Up — Award Certificate & Official Laurels

Animated Shorts Category, Winner and Runner Up — Award Certificate & Official Laurels

Youth Films Category, Winner and Runner Up — Award Certificate & Official Laurels

Indigenous (IPLC) Films Category, Winner and Runner Up — Award Certificate & Official Laurels

Rules & Terms

✓ Films are expected to fall under the theme for the current year (2023): “Living Forests. Thriving Future.”

✓ All films must be between 1 to 20 minutes in length.

✓ All films must be submitted in English or with English subtitles if in a different language.

✓ Filmmakers agree to have their films screened multiple times within 365 days after the event date. The screenings may take place in front of a live audience within the United States, in international events, and online screenings as curated Films for the Forest content and ensure their licensing will allow such screenings.

✓ Filmmakers agree to allow Films for the Forest to use short clips from their films for promotional, informational, and educational use related to the competition.

✓ To qualify for the Indigenous (IPLC) Category, films must have been created or directed by members of an indigenous community.

✓ Any submissions from those under 18 years of age require adult consent and they must sign a consent form (Please see https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vfuSMks4UgaVycDnX_Ky43vFrXQZoi34/view?usp=sharinge)

✓ All submissions confirm they follow the terms and conditions set by FilmFreeway.

✓ If you have submitted your project in the previous year, please do not resubmit the same project to the current Films for the Forest edition.

✓ A film can fall into more than one category. It is up to the filmmaker to choose under which category he/she wishes the film to be judged.

Note: Films for the Forest reserve the right to change the date of the event under special circumstances. All filmmakers will be informed about any changes through email and our online platforms. Films for the Forest also reserve the right to update the current terms and conditions.
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  • nikolozi inasaridze

    It was an honor and a pleasure for me
    Participate in the Films for the Forest Festival in 2022. They have always been responsible and polite.

    June 2022
    Helpful