The Eco Kids Film Initiative (EKFI) is a project of the South African Eco Film Festival (SAEFF). EKFI is a collaborative project dedicated to environmental education and awareness-raising through film as a medium. We aim to facilitate and engender a greater creative atmosphere and cultural demand for film and media that is environmental in character. Our vision is to nurture the creation of a growing youth audience that is environmentally aware and active. This growing awareness can lead directly to behavioural changes and indirectly lead to a spill over to the rest of the family, school or community. We are committed to facilitating the establishment of an educated film viewing culture that is devoted to media that reflects a sustainable culture-nature relationship infused with a respectful curiosity toward the conservation of our rich biodiversity and natural heritage.

Rules & Terms

There should be a strong environmental theme, which could be about a particular environmental issue, for example pollution, recycling, organic farming, health and wellbeing, conservation, wildlife, about the beauty of nature, or about a community, organisation or individual that is making a difference.

The guiding philosophy for the selection process is ‘earth action’ and ‘earth inspiration’. In other words, films should be by-or-about people and actions that can inspire kids to take action in their own communities and schools.

• The film festival is aimed at kids aged between 4 and 14 years of age.
• Films submitted should be between 2 minutes and 15 minutes in length.
• Films that have not been previously screened in South Africa will be given preference.
• Films submitted to EKFI should be made for, rather than be about, children.
• Content should speak positively to children of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Films should preferably be either originally in English or dubbed into the English language. Foreign language films will need to have subtitles and provide an English script with time codes.
• Films can be either animation or live-action; documentary, or narrative. However, the content has to be aimed at children in the target age group with a strong environmental theme, and be entertaining and inspirational in character.

Criteria for non-acceptance:
• Excessive or gratuitous violence, nudity, or profanity.
• Content that advocates and supports racial, cultural, religious, or gender bias.
• Films may also be disqualified for technical or procedural reason.
• Films made prior to 1 January 2013 will not be considered for selection.

The person/company (the Entrant) submitting this production to the Eco Kids Film Initiative agrees that:
• The EKFI has the right to use video excerpts and photo stills from the film for publicity and promotional purposes, including on its webpage. By submitting an entry, permission is granted for its use in promotional materials.
• The entrant is legally authorized by the producer and distributor, or other rights’ owner to enter this film in the EKFI Festival. Once entered, submissions may not be withdrawn from participation in the Festival.
• Entrants must guarantee, should their entry be selected, that permission from the rights holder is secured for a maximum of three screenings at the 3rd annual Eco Kids Film Initiative 2016 at each different venue, and a further five additional screenings at schools or other outreach projects.