๐Ÿ‘‰ Festival data: 3 - 9 November 2025
๐Ÿ‘‰ Type of films: Wildlife, Conservation and Environmental

Entries must have a central focus on non-domesticated wildlife species, natural habitats, conservation or the environment. They demonstrate the beauty of nature and raise awareness about the collective responsibility we have to maintain it.

Filmmakers from anywhere in the world can participate. WFFR welcomes (independent) filmmakers, production companies, distributors or broadcasters to submit their latest film(s).

WFFR is also the meeting place for the wildlife film industry in The Netherlands. We are known for a friendly and informal atmosphere where all our guests feel at home. Here you can meet (or catch-up with) other film professionals during the Industry Days (7 & 8 November) where you can participate in workshops, round the table sessions and lots of other (network) events.

The festival program offers public screenings during these seven days at, amongst others, Cinerama Movie Theatre (Westblaak 17, Rotterdam) that is located downtown Rotterdam. WFFR also takes place online. All participated films in the online part are geoblocked for The Netherlands only.

๐ˆ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐š๐ง๐ญ ๐ƒ๐š๐ญ๐ž๐ฌ
๐Ÿ‘‰ 1 May - Submission Deadline
๐Ÿ‘‰ 15 Julรฌ - Film Selections & Nominations announced
๐Ÿ‘‰ 1 Aug - Festival timetable announced
๐Ÿ‘‰ 3 - 9 Nov - Festival Rotterdam
๐Ÿ‘‰ 12 - 16 Nov - Festival Wageningen (satellite edition)
๐Ÿ‘‰ 4 Nov - 5 Dec - Online Festival
๐Ÿ‘‰ 7 - 8 Nov - Industry Days
๐Ÿ‘‰ 8 Nov - Winners announced at the Flamingo Award Ceremony

๐ŸŒฟ Festival Grand Prix
๐ŸŒฟ Best Short Film
๐ŸŒฟ Audience Award
๐ŸŒฟ Animal Behaviour
๐ŸŒฟ Awareness
๐ŸŒฟ Van Lawick Conservation
๐ŸŒฟ People & Nature
๐ŸŒฟ Children's
๐ŸŒฟ Newcomer
๐ŸŒฟ Independent Production
๐ŸŒฟ Cinematography

๐‘๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ž๐ฌ
๐Ÿ‘‰ The submission period for the competition of the Festival 2025 is from Februari 1st until May 1st 2025.
๐Ÿ‘‰ Submitting for Wildlife Film Festival Rotterdam 2025 is free.
๐Ÿ‘‰ New entries can be submitted via FilmFreeway only.
๐Ÿ‘‰ Submit only one film per submission and specify the categories you would like to participate in for that film.
๐Ÿ‘‰ You have to specify at least one category when submitting. Note: Your entry will automatically compete for either Best Film / Best Short Film (< 30 min) and the Audience Award.
๐Ÿ‘‰ You are then welcome to submit series, but please submit each episode separately.
๐Ÿ‘‰ Films in languages other than English or Dutch are welcome but must be subtitled or dubbed into English.
๐Ÿ‘‰ Films must have a minimum length of 5 minutes.
๐Ÿ‘‰ All eligible submissions will be reviewed by our selection committee that decides which movies will be selected for screening and nominated for our Flamingo Awards.
๐Ÿ‘‰ An annually changing jury of five members will decide which films will be awarded in the different categories.

๐…๐ข๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐ƒ๐ž๐ฅ๐ž๐ ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ
Filmmakers or representatives of selected films receive:
๐Ÿ‘‰ The ability to market your film with the WFFR official selection logo and, if nominated for an award, an award logo.
๐Ÿ‘‰ Attend all industry related events for free, including the Flamingo Award Ceremony and networking drinks.
๐Ÿ‘‰ The opportunity to connect with distributors and buyers.
๐Ÿ‘‰ Two complimentary hotel nights during the festival in Rotterdam at Hotel The Usual (Westblaak 10, Rotterdam)
๐Ÿ‘‰ A by WFFR organized Q&A afterwards the screening of your film and in some cases an extended post-screening discussion led by an experienced moderator.
๐Ÿ‘‰ 1,000 euros when winning the Grand Prix
๐Ÿ‘‰ Meet lots of other film professionals and have a great time!

๐“๐ž๐ซ๐ฆ๐ฌ
๐Ÿ‘‰ Entries must have a central focus on non-domesticated wildlife species, natural habitats, conservation or the environment and be completed on or after January 1st, 2023.
๐Ÿ‘‰ By submitting the film, entrants grant consent to screen the film by WFFR during the festival, without any right to royalties or screening fees.
๐Ÿ‘‰ WFFR will screen the film in Cinerama (Rotterdam) during the festival and stream the film online. The streaming will be geoblocked and restricted to visitors based in the Netherlands only.
๐Ÿ‘‰ WFFR is allowed to subtitle the film in Dutch. If requested, filmmaker shall provide WFFR with the transcript(s) of the film.
๐Ÿ‘‰ The production must be submitted to WFFR by the producer or distributor of the film or their authorised representative. By submitting the film you guarantee that all production/distribution partners agreed to the submission and this rules and terms, and that you have obtained all clearances for screening. You certify that the work is original and that there exists no disputes regarding ownership with the film.
๐Ÿ‘‰ WFFR is allowed to use the film, stills, trailer and information provided for (promotional) WFFR related activities prior to or after the festival.
๐Ÿ‘‰ No film may be withdrawn from the festival programme after it has been selected for screening. WFFR has the right to alter the length and date of the festival, cancel Award categories and cancel or reschedule the festival without any liability towards the entrants.
๐Ÿ‘‰ You agree to indemnify and hold harmless WFFR, its judges, sponsors and partners, individually and collectively, from and against all claims, demands, losses, damages, costs, liabilities, and expenses, including legal expenses arising out of or in connection with any and all claims, or third party claims, arising out of the submission to and exhibition of your film and corresponding material at WFFR, including the online festival. The competition and these terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Netherlands and the court of Rotterdam, Netherlands shall have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any disputes arising therefrom.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Asgeir Helgestad

    We loved WFFR! It is a festival on the rising with great audiences and hosts. For professionals looking for networking, the opportunities are increasing. We are really thankful for receiving the Cinematography award and for an amazing party with all colleagues working hard around the clock. We will certainly be coming back to WFFR.

    December 2024
  • Zoltan Tรถrรถk

    Very nice festival. Dedicated organisers, enthusiastic audience, engaging colleagues. I loved my time here, it was really nice to connect with the Dutch audience. And the award ceremony.... OMG, so cool! :) Thanks WFFR!

    December 2024
  • Thank you WFFR for screening my short film Entropy at your 10-year-anniversary edition. I u fortunately did not have the opportunity to be present in the beautiful city of Rotterdam, but all communication was great and the staff was very welcoming and helpful.
    A great festival.

    November 2024
  • Rebekah Louisa Smith

    A brilliant festival featuring great communication and organisation from the entire team

    November 2024
  • Mykhailo Bogdanov

    Great festival! Thank you for screening my short documentary Between Clouds and Glass ๐Ÿชถ

    November 2024