We invite filmmakers, creatives, and visionaries worldwide to tackle the most critical challenge of our time: defining the future.

Envision and bring to life four archetypal scenarios for 2050, showing the world how the decisions we make today will shape tomorrow. Each scenario provides both a robust analytical tool and a fertile creative canvas for your narrative vision.

Scenario 1: Market Forces
A continuation of current economic paradigms. This scenario assumes that technological innovation and market mechanisms alone will resolve environmental challenges with minimal policy intervention.

Scenario 2: Policy Reform
Systematic government intervention, driven by strong regulatory frameworks and international cooperation. While addressing market failures, this scenario largely maintains existing global systems.

Scenario 3: Fortress World
A stark, bifurcated future where protected enclaves shield the global elite. The majority of the population faces rapidly deteriorating conditions due to unchecked inequality and severe environmental stress.

Scenario 4: Great Transition
A fundamental, systemic shift involving unprecedented global cooperation. This future is defined by a complete transformation of economic systems, governance, and cultural values to achieve true sustainability and equity.

***If you require further research material-please write to our team and we will provide you the links for the research to enable you to prepare your pitch**

The competition unfolds in two dynamic stages, progressing from an open international call for pitch concepts to a supported production phase for a select group of commissioned finalists. We welcome submissions using all forms of media, including live action, animation, hybrid techniques, and AI tools.

Awards & Prizes


For the Choose Our Future competition there are well defined stages with specific set of rules and terms.

Stage 1: Pitch Your Vision

Participants must submit a compelling pitch package demonstrating their unique approach to translating all four scenarios into visually stunning and emotionally resonant narratives.

Video Component (3 min max) — A conceptual sketch, storyboard, or pilot footage illustrating your approach to the four scenarios. To be submitted separately under each category.
Written Treatment (Max 10 pages in total) — Detailed narrative outlines for each scenario in an industry-standard format.
Production Plan — Comprehensive budget breakdown, timeline, team qualifications, and proposed technical execution.

Stage 2: Commission & Create

A distinguished international jury will select 5-8 finalists to be commissioned. Selected teams receive significant support to bring their vision to the screen.

Financial Support — Production grants ranging from £5,000 to £10,000.
Expert Mentorship — Direct consultations with subject matter experts, researchers, and technical production guidance.
Final Deliverables — Four 3-minute scenario films (12 minutes total), illustrating what life would be like in each scenario around 2050 and how it differs from the others; professional behind-the-scenes content, and supporting educational materials.

Prizes:

The selected finalists (5-8) will:

1) Receive significant production grants ranging between GBP 5-10K in total to develop four short films.
2) Will have access to professional mentorship via the support of the organisers.
3) If required, the filmmakers will be given an opportunity to connect with subject-matter experts.
4) The winning films will be premiered at a prestigious venue in London (2027).
5) The winning films will be distributed via film festivals, online video platforms (like,YouTube) and other international networks with an ultimate goal to inform the policy framework.

Rules & Terms


ELIGIBILTY CRITERIA

• The competition is open to any company, organisation or individual in any country.



• To be eligible for the Choose Our Future Competition all entered films must be original and creative productions by or about the participating organization/ individual. 


• It is the responsibility of all submitters submitting titles for inclusion in the competition to ensure that they have received clearance from the rights holders of all archive film, stills and music used in the films. Choose Our Future will not be responsible for any rights not cleared in the films that are screened as part of the competition.


• To be eligible for the competition all entered films / screenplays must be novel, any previously made film/s will not be eligible for the submission.


• If selected and approved for grant the submitter will have to submit four films i.e. one for each of the 4 scenario (read stage 2 process in awards and prizes section).


• In case the submitter wishes to submit short films for Stage 1 then, entries are eligible only if entered through the FilmFreeway website (not via email).


• In case the submitter wishes to submit screenplay for Stage 1 then, entries are eligible only if sent on the official email address.

• The duration of film submitted at Stage 1 should be maximum 3 minutes for each scenario (it is just a conceptual sketch, storyboard, or pilot footage illustrating your approach to the four scenarios). Failure to adhere to the time guidelines can lead to disqualification. 


• Entries can only be submitted in English. Films made in other languages must be subtitled or dubbed into English. Dialogue lists are not acceptable.


• Entries for Stage 1 of the Choose Our Future 2026 close at 11:59 pm BST on Sunday 19th July, 2026. 


RULES AND TERMS

• By getting selected for the Choose Our Future Awards, you grant to us, our licensees and affiliates a worldwide royalty-free, non-exclusive right to record, edit, use, reproduce, screen and distribute, in association with the Choose Our Future, extracts or full film/s in the following media: film, television, online, electronic or by any other means currently known or yet to be devised. Such right will be limited to use in connection with the Choose Our Future Competition (either in 2026 or in the future).


• By entering the awards, you grant to Choose Our Future, our licensees and affiliates the world-wide royalty-free, non-exclusive right to use the full film/s, excerpts of the submitted film, its stills, and trailers, for the purposes of publicity and marketing of the film at the 2026 competition awards event, and for other non-commercial uses related to the delivery and promotion of the competition. You hereby agree to indemnify Choose Our Future, in the event that such rights have not been properly transferred. 


• By agreeing to these terms, you grant Choose Our Future the right to share submissions with judging panels, delegates, media and other constituencies associated with and participating in Choose Our Future competition.

• If submitted film/s containing copyrighted or trademarked materials are included, you must have written permission for their use. It is the responsibility of the entrant to ensure their submission does not infringe the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity, intellectual property or other rights of any person or entity, or otherwise be unlawful.


• If for any entry the documentation is incomplete or incorrect, it may be disqualified. It is the responsibility of the entrants to ensure that their submission meets all the requirements and that all necessary information is provided via their FilmFreeway account/email .

• 
The evaluation and decision of the shortlisting panels and the final judging panel will be final and binding for all participants. 


• The organizers are entitled without liability to change the rules and terms of the competition during any stage or cancel the competition. 


• The competition is governed by and subject to the laws of England and Wales. The decisions of Choose Our Future team are final and binding in all discretionary matters relating to this competition.


• By submitting an entry, participants agree that they have read, understood, and agreed to the rules and terms of the Choose Our Future team and that the information supplied to us in relation to their film is correct.


• An invitation for submission does not guarantee that the entered film/s / screenplay will be shortlisted or will be awarded. Any type of communication related to submissions and competition is only for the information purpose.


• Shortlisted candidates of Stage 1 will receive grants in 3 tranches.
First tranche i.e. 50% of the total allocated budget will be released within one month of the announcement.
Second trance of next 25% after the review of progress made on the films.
The final third tranche will be released upon completion of the second review.


• If any selected candidate fails to submit the films then, s/he will have to refund the grant within 15 days of final deadline.