Dear Filmmakers,

you are welcome to submit your movie to the 12th Edition of the Greenmotions Film Festival in Freiburg, Germany, from November 11th-15th 2026. We are looking forward to reviewing your film!

Greenmotions e.V. showcases sustainability‑focused films that ignite conversation, inspire action, and build a resilient community.  We envision a world where sustainability isn’t a niche cause but a shared societal mindset. Protecting the planet remains our core, but we think bigger: we see nature, the environment, people, politics and the economy as an inseparable web. True care for the earth means championing social justice and recognising how these strands influence one another. By nurturing open, respectful dialogue, we want to co‑create a fair, resilient future for everyone.

Participation is open to all. The festival welcomes films produced using any technique, including animation, documentary, drama, experimental or artistic films, and hybrid work, regardless of budget size.

We are looking for films for our four different categories:

- SHORT FILM
- KIDS & YOUNG AUDIENCE SHORT FILM
- FEATURE FILM
- SPECIAL TOPIC 2025: "RECOGNITION: Shining a Light on the Invisible"

The first three categories focus on the general environmental and sustainability themes.

About the special topic 2026:

With this year’s Special Topic, “Recognition: Shining a Light on the Invisible”, the Greenmotions Filmfestival focuses on people and realities that often remain unseen - even though they sustain our societies and our shared wellbeing.

From unpaid care workers to marginalized communities, we highlight stories of struggle, resilience, and dignity. We explore who is recognized, who is overlooked, and why - and how systems of power and inequality contribute to invisibility. By giving space to unheard voices, we aim to foster empathy, critical reflection, and solidarity - and to inspire action toward a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world.

Awards & Prizes

Prizes & Awards*

1) Jury award for short films €1.000
2) Jury award for short film for Kids & Young Audience €1.000
3) Audience award for feature films €1.500
4) Special topic award - "Recognition: Shining a Light on the Invisible" - €1.500

*The exact prize amounts may vary based on the fundraising achieved throughout the year.

Rules & Terms

By submitting your movie through this form you agree to the "Terms and Conditions of the Greenmotions Film Festival 2026": https://greenmotions-filmfestival.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Terms-and-Conditions-2026.pdf

- Short films: 20 minutes or less, including credits.
- Feature films : between 20 and 120 minutes, including credits.
- Special topic: up to 120 minutes, including credits.
- Kids & Young audience short films: up to 20 minutes.

Our festival places a strong focus on solutions, and may prioritize films that focus on concrete actions that can be taken to achieve a more sustainable future. We also focus on films about sustainability, environment and beyond.

- The deadline for submissions is the 16.04.2026

- For short films, feature films and for the special topic, only films completed between 2024 and 2026 are eligible. Films completed before December 31st, 2023, will be automatically disqualified.
- For kids & young audience short films, only films completed between 2021 and 2026 are eligible. Films completed before December 31st, 2020, will be automatically disqualified.

- Films of a running time of 20 minutes or less, including credits, can be submitted for the short film competition, unless they fit to the special topic of the year.
- Films of a running time of 20 minutes or less, including credits, for a a young audience can be submitted for the Kids & young audience short film competition.
- Films with a running time of 20 to 120 minutes, including credits, can be submitted for the Feature Film Selection, unless they fit to the Special Topic of the year
- Films submitted for the Special Topic of the Year can have a running time of up to 120 minutes.

- Films in any language are welcome for the short film, special topic and audience award categories. For films in languages other than German or English, German or English subtitles are required. Transcripts (in German and/ or English) are appreciated.
- For the young audience, films in German or with no dialogue are accepted.

With your submission, you comply with our Terms & Conditions.
12 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Asgeir Helgestad

    Thank you to Greenmotions for an excellent experience although we were not able to attend in person. The festival was very well organized, with great communication and an engaged, younger audience. It was a lovely event and we wish you all the best for the future!

    December 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks a lot! We were really happy to be able to show "A call from the Wild" as part of our program! All the best with the film and all future projects!

  • Barbara Brunner

    I couldn't be there in person but the communication and overall interactions with the festival before the event were very pleasant :-)

    November 2024
    Helpful
  • Bonina Mußmann

    Thanks for the great festival! Was a pleasure to show our movie "The Unpredictable Factor" :)

    January 2023
    Helpful
  • Deusdará Filmes

    It was a great opportunity for my film to be at the Greenmotions Film Festival. Great talk and debate with the audience and great hospitality! Thanks!!

    November 2022
    Helpful
  • Joanne Jackson

    Unfortunately we couldn't travel to the festival, but the organizers couldn't have been more communicative and helpful. We were pleased to participate in a skype Q&A after the screening. It's clearly a professional festival. Thanks Greenmotions!

    November 2019
    Helpful