TRENDS Film Festival 2026
Thenmala Rural Ecology & Nature Documentary Short Film Festival
Dates: February 26, 27 & 28, 2026
Venue: Eco Tourism Hall & Open-Air Amphitheatre, Thenmala
Location: Kollam District, Kerala, India

Event Description
TRENDS Film Festival (Thenmala Rural Ecology & Nature Documentary Short Film Festival) is an independent documentary and short film festival dedicated to Nature, Ecology, Ethnicity, Wildlife, and the living relationship between human communities and the natural world.

Set in Thenmala, India’s first planned eco-tourism destination and a gateway to the Western Ghats, TRENDS offers a unique cinematic space where films meet forests, rivers, wildlife, and indigenous cultures. The festival creates a platform for filmmakers, researchers, environmentalists, and audiences to engage with stories that reflect the urgent ecological realities of our time.

The festival focuses on films exploring:
Nature & Ecology
Wildlife Conservation
Flora and Fauna
Indigenous & Ethnic Communities
Environmental Justice & Sustainability
Human–Nature Relationships

Over three days, selected films from India and across the world will be screened in an immersive setting that blends cinema, ecology, and dialogue. Screenings will be followed by interactive discussions, filmmaker interactions, and community engagements, encouraging meaningful conversations on environmental responsibility and cultural coexistence.

TRENDS Film Festival aims to support emerging and independent filmmakers while fostering awareness, sensitivity, and action towards environmental preservation and cultural diversity. The festival celebrates cinema not just as an art form, but as a tool for reflection, resistance, and regeneration

Awards & Prizes

Golden Ferns memento for Best Documentary + 25000 Rs+ Certificate

Silver Ferns memento for Best Short FILM + 20000 Rs + Certificate

Green Ferns memento for Best Campus Short Film 15000 Rs+ Certificate

Black Ferns for Lifetime Achievement Award

Rules & Terms

1. Eligibility

The festival is open to filmmakers from all countries.
Only documentary films and short films are eligible.
Films may address themes including
Nature & Wildlife
Environment & Ecology
Climate Change
Rural & Indigenous Life
Sustainability & Conservation
Human–Nature Relationships
Cultural Landscapes & Traditional Knowledge

2. Film Categories

Documentary
Short Film
Campus Short Film

3. Film Duration

Documentaries: 5 minute and above
Short Film: Up to 30 minutes

4. Production Date

Films completed after January 1, 2022 to 31 December 2025 are eligible.

5. Language & Subtitles

Films in any language are accepted.
English subtitles are mandatory for all non-English films.
Films without English subtitles may be disqualified.

6. Submission Guidelines

Films must be submitted through the official submission platform (FilmFreeway or festival-designated platform).
The submitted screener should be identical to the final screening version.
Multiple entries by the same filmmaker are allowed, but each film requires a separate submission.

7. Selection Process

All films will be reviewed by the TRENDS Selection Committee.
Selection decisions are final and non-negotiable.
The festival does not provide feedback on films that are not selected.

8. Screening Formats

Selected films must be provided in HD digital format (MP4 / MOV / DCP if required).
Screening copies must be submitted within the deadline communicated by the festival.

9. Rights & Permissions

The filmmaker must hold all rights to the film, including music, images, and archival material.
By submitting, filmmakers confirm that the film does not infringe any copyright, moral rights, or legal rights of third parties.
The festival is not responsible for any legal disputes arising from submitted films.

10. Festival Screening Rights

Selected films may be screened multiple times during the festival dates.
By submitting, filmmakers grant TRENDS the right to:
Screen the film during the festival
Use film stills, trailers, and excerpts (up to 2 minutes) for promotion, publicity, and archival purposes

11. Awards & Recognition

Selected films will receive Official Selection Laurels.
Awards, citations, or special mentions (if any) will be announced during the festival.
Jury decisions are final and binding.

12. Attendance & Travel

The festival is primarily a screening and dialogue platform.
Personal expenses of filmmakers are not meet by TRENDS.
Local stay will be provided to the film makers of the selected films.
No travel support will be provided to the filmmakers who attend the film festival.

13. Withdrawal Policy

Once a film is officially selected, it cannot be withdrawn from the festival program.
Failure to provide screening material on time may result in disqualification.

14. Responsibility & Liability

While every care will be taken, the festival is not responsible for loss or damage to submitted materials.
Filmmakers participate at their own risk.

15. Amendments & Final Authority

TRENDS reserves the right to modify, amend, or update the rules and regulations at any time.
The festival director’s decision will be final in all matters.

16. Acceptance of Terms

Submission of a film to TRENDS – International Documentary Short Film Festival implies full acceptance of all rules and regulations mentioned above.