Experience the transformative power of climate storytelling at the Green Film Festival (GFF), Accra. Whether you're a seasoned filmmaker, an environmentalist, a curious soul, or simply someone eager to learn, GFF offers a unique platform to engage with sustainability and ecological responsibility. Join us to socialize, relax, have fun, and learn while immersing yourself in captivating films, dynamic workshops, interactive games, live music performances, and engaging discussions. Discover practical ways individuals and organizations are working to change the status quo and challenge institutions to build more sustainable futures.

AWARDS & PRIZES

1. Category Awards
Best Film: Recognizing overall excellence in filmmaking, storytelling, and environmental impact.
Best Feature Film: Honoring outstanding non-fiction storytelling that educates and inspires.
Best Short Film: Celebrating creativity and innovation in concise environmental storytelling.
Best Animation: Highlighting excellence in animated storytelling with environmental themes.

2. Special Awards
Environmental Impact Award: Recognizing films that have made a significant impact on raising awareness or driving positive change.
Community Engagement Award: Recognizing films that have successfully engaged local communities and fostered dialogue on environmental issues.
Viewer's Choice Award: Audience favourite, determined by audience votes, recognising the film that resonates most with festival attendees and viewers.
Innovative Storytelling Award: Recognizing films that employ unique and creative storytelling techniques to convey environmental messages effectively.
Best Director: This category would recognise the director who demonstrates exceptional vision, creativity, and execution in bringing environmental themes to life through their film.

3. Prize
a) Public Recognition: Featured placement on the festival's website, social media channels, and promotional materials, providing visibility and recognition for the winning filmmakers.
b) Digital Badges or Seals: Unique digital badges or seals to be displayed on promotional materials, websites, or film credits, indicating the film's award-winning status and recognition from the Green Film Festival.

4. Additional Features
a) The selected films will be featured at the Main Event in October, with potential additional screenings at other educational and non-profit events either hosted or co-hosted by the Sponsor. These events, including live streaming or recorded sessions, may occur in person or online.
b) The selected films will also be showcased on the Green Film Festival Accra website. Additionally, the Sponsor reserves the right to use any of the submitted films for promotional purposes and in various online media formats at its discretion.

OVERVIEW

Green Film Festival Accra (GFFA), in its maiden edition, celebrates exceptional films that not only captivate audiences but also drive meaningful change towards a more sustainable future. This prestigious event is dedicated to films from individual, business, non-profit, media, and creative sectors offering real-world solutions and inspiring action aligned with climate storytelling.

At the heart of the environmental challenges we face is a need for profound communication, making film a critical tool for raising awareness, influencing public opinion, and sparking action to protect our planet and reshape our societies.

GFFA uniquely blends the impact of storytelling with the focus on sustainability and ecological action. Films are celebrated not just for their artistic and creative merits but also for the credibility and impact of their sustainable messages. This year, we particularly invite submissions that address the following key themes:

Biodiversity: Films that illustrate the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of diverse ecosystems for planetary health.
Activism: Stories that capture the spirit and impact of activism in promoting environmental justice and sustainability.
Food: Explorations into sustainable agricultural and production practices that offer food security and environmental health solutions.
Climate Displacement: Narratives that bring to light the human aspects of climate displacement and the urgent need for solutions to this growing crisis.
Wildlife Conservation: Documentaries or creative films focusing on the efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats, emphasizing both the challenges and successes of conservation initiatives.

We encourage entries from individuals, businesses, organizations, filmmakers, and storytellers globally, provided the films focus on sustainable solutions pertinent to today’s world. Insights and lessons from the selected films will be shared widely to promote the dissemination of impactful and sustainable film narratives. This initiative not only highlights the power of film in driving social and environmental change but also fosters a global community of informed, motivated, and solution-oriented audiences.

TOPIC CATEGORIES
1. Biodiversity
Films under this theme should explore the complexity and variety of life across the planet. This can include narratives about unique ecosystems, the interdependence between species, and the impact of human activities on natural habitats. We encourage submissions that not only highlight the beauty and richness of biodiversity but also address the critical threats facing it today, such as habitat destruction, pollution, and illegal wildlife trade.

2. Activism
This theme focuses on the power of individual and collective action aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and social equity. Films could document the efforts of activists fighting against environmental degradation, advocating for policy changes, or working at the grassroots level to empower communities. Stories of successful initiatives, challenges faced by activists, or a behind-the-scenes look at major environmental campaigns could all fit this theme.

3. Food
Entries under the food theme should delve into issues and solutions related to sustainable agriculture, food production, and nutrition. This might include innovations in organic farming, community gardening, or urban agriculture that help reduce the carbon footprint and improve food security. Films could also explore the socio-economic aspects of food sustainability, including the impact of consumer choices, food waste, and the global food supply chain.

4. Climate Displacement
With the increasing impact of climate change, this theme is dedicated to stories about communities displaced by environmental factors like rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and drought. Submissions should aim to provide a human face to these displacements, exploring the challenges displaced populations face, including their struggles for resources, loss of home and livelihood, and the broader socio-political implications of their displacement.

5. Wildlife Conservation
Films in this category should highlight the efforts to conserve wildlife and preserve natural habitats. This could include stories on conservation projects, the role of sanctuaries and reserves, anti-poaching efforts, and the science of wildlife management. We look for films that not only bring attention to the challenges of conservation but also celebrate the successes and the people dedicated to protecting wildlife.

Each of these themes is crucial in promoting understanding and action on environmental issues. By focusing on these areas, filmmakers have the opportunity to contribute to a global dialogue on sustainability and inspire change through their creative vision and storytelling.

FILM CATEGORIES
1. Animation
Films under this category are created using various techniques such as traditional hand-drawn animation, computer animation, or stop-motion animation covering a broad spectrum of topics and genres without specific thematic limitations, allowing filmmakers to explore any subject matter, from biodiversity, activism, food, climate displacement, to wildlife conservation and more.

2. Short Film
Films under this category are cover narratives or documentary films with a runtime typically ranging from a few minutes to around 15 minutes, presenting filmmakers with the opportunity for concise storytelling and creative expression without predefined themes, allowing them to explore environmental themes freely.

3. Feature Film
Full-length narrative or documentary films with a typical runtime max of 40 minutes. Feature films provide filmmakers with a platform for in-depth exploration of environmental themes, sustainability challenges, and human interactions with the natural world through compelling storytelling and character-driven narratives.

RULES & TERMS
The Green Film Festival invites filmmakers from all backgrounds to submit their films addressing environmental themes and sustainability. With a focus on creativity, innovation, and advocacy, the festival provides a platform for showcasing impactful stories that inspire positive change and foster environmental consciousness. Through screenings, discussions, and collaboration, participants contribute to a global dialogue on pressing environmental issues, empowering audiences to take action towards a greener world.

1. Eligibility
a) Films addressing environmental themes, sustainability, or related topics are welcome.
b) Filmmakers are encouraged to explore biodiversity, activism, food, climate displacement, and wildlife conservation themes.
c) The categories of interest are; animation, short film, and feature film.
d) Filmmakers of all levels are encouraged to participate.
e) A runtime minimum duration of 3 minutes and a maximum of 40 minutes for films.

2. Submission Process
a) Submit films through the official GFFA festival listing on FilmFreeway.
b) Ensure to include relevant information such as;
c) The Title, Director, and runtime.
d) A secure, online screener completed within the past two years.
e) Contact information for the filmmaker or submitter, including name, mailing address, and email.
f) A brief synopsis of the film.
g) Provide a secure online screening link or upload the film directly through FilmFreeway.
h) Ensure films meet technical specifications and any regional or format requirements specified by FilmFreeway.

3. Timelines
a) Submissions open on July 1, 2024, through the official festival listing on FilmFreeway.
b) The submission deadline is August 9, 2024.
c) Filmmakers will be notified of the selection status by September 8, 2024.
d) Late submissions will not be accepted, so ensure timely submission within the specified timeframe.

4. Selection Process
a) A panel of experienced judges will review all submissions.
b) Selection criteria include creativity, storytelling, relevance to key environmental themes, compliance with all terms, and technical quality.
c) Selected and non-selected films will be notified via email or through the festival website.
d) Selected filmmakers may be required to provide additional materials no later than 1st October 2024, including:
e) A high-resolution film file downloadable via Dropbox, Google Drive, We Transfer or Vimeo that is 1920×1080 pixels or higher, 23.97 fps, 48 kHz Audio, progressive scan in mp4 format.
f) An English language closed caption file in .scc, .srt or .vtt format.
g) A digital press kit comprising promotional film stills in high-resolution jpg format, a short synopsis, filmmaker bio, and headshot.
h) A 1920x1080p downloadable trailer file in mp4 format

5. Screening and Exhibition
a) Selected films will be screened during the festival (11th - 12th October 2024).
b) Screenings include in-person, virtual, or hybrid formats, per GFFA's schedule and discretion.
c) Filmmakers may be invited to participate in Q&A sessions or panel discussions following screenings.

6. Rights and Permissions
a) Filmmakers must hold all necessary rights and permissions for their submitted films, including music, images, and any copyrighted material.
b) By submitting a film, filmmakers grant the festival the right to screen the film during the festival and promote it for festival-related purposes.

7. Promotion and Marketing
a) The festival may use excerpts from selected films for promotional purposes, including trailers, posters, and social media posts.
b) Filmmakers are encouraged to promote their participation in the festival through their channels and networks.

8. Awards and Recognition
a) Awards will be presented in various categories, including Best Film, Best Documentary, Best Short Film, Audience Choice, etc...
b) Award winners will be announced during the festival's closing ceremony and listed on GFFA’s website.

10. Accessibility
a) The festival aims to be accessible to individuals with disabilities, and support as needed.
b) All festival venues and screenings will be wheelchair accessible, with accommodations for visual and hearing impairments.
c) Subtitles or closed captioning will be provided for all films to ensure accessibility for audiences with hearing impairments.
d) Information about accessibility features and accommodations will be communicated on the festival website and promotional materials.
e) Participants with specific accessibility needs are encouraged to contact the festival organizers in advance to discuss accommodations and ensure a positive experience.

Judging Criteria
The Sponsor and its panel of judges will ensure that all submissions adhere to the stated rules, including factors like eligibility, compliance with terms (including legality and conduct), film length, and format. The advisory board of GFFA will evaluate films based on the quality and content of the film, as well as its effectiveness in educating, inspiring, and increasing awareness about the chosen topic.

For individuals, the films will be assessed on their capacity to educate the audience, inspire action, and enhance awareness about the environmental or sustainability topic they focus on.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Beautiful festival with an important environmental goal. It's been an honor to be included in Official Selection. Wish you all the best in future editions!

    November 2024