Cinema Verde is a non-profit organization based in Gainesville, Florida, with the mission to provide environmental education from independent sources to international audiences through film, arts and community events.

Our primary focus is to present artistic and creative environmental films as a means to seek change on human-made challenges and disasters such as pollution, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, global warming, and environmental contamination.

The selection process of the Cinema Verde festival films is based on the authentic storytelling of independent filmmakers who either offer an artistic way of spreading awareness for nature and society or exploring and offering concrete solutions to one of the many environmental challenges we’re facing. The film curation is spearheaded by Trish Riley, long-time environmental journalist and author, and founding director of Cinema Verde.

We will hold our fifteenth annual festival April, 2024, in Florida. The annual film festival will be complemented by periodic virtual and/or mini-festivals marketing the release of new films to our streaming platform. Filmmakers are invited to participate and speak at our physical events, as well as in exclusive virtual interviews and roundtable talks on our streaming platform.

Cinema Verde as a new streaming platform provides us with continuous access to an environmental film+art database that speaks to our consciousness, and has been collected over 14 years of film festivals of Cinema Verde. We now have developed our Cinema Verde Channel on the Roku platform where filmmakers may choose to display their films as well.

Awarded films will be added to the environmental film database for a minimum of 1 year, available to stream on cinemaverde.org for members on a subscription fee, in which filmmakers participate in a payout-per-stream model.

Awards & Prizes

Awards are given out to winning films in the listed categories. Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to give out cash prizes for these award-winning films.

Rules & Terms

Our objective is to bring environmental awareness to our audience and guide us all toward sustainable solutions to the problems we face. Each film must be based on valid, factual information. Please no advocacy films. Those with a solution orientation will be regarded most favorably.

Please specify which issues are addressed in the film (food, water, waste, energy, chemical contamination, population, social justice, sustainability, animals, sustainable business, green building, etc,) as well as the category entered.

Please specify whether any filmmakers, actors or screenwriters may be available to attend virtual and/or physical Cinema Verde screenings should your submission be selected for screening. Cinema Verde makes no guarantee regarding travel expenses – we’ll do the best we can to help and we hope you’ll do the best you can to join us!

Winners will receive full-access VIP Festival Passes to all Cinema Verde screenings, workshops, parties and events, as well as a one year membership to the virtual screenings at CinemaVerde.org. At this time, prizes are only recognition. Filmmakers can help us generate the funds to underwrite travel expenses and provide prizes by marketing their Official Selection to Cinema Verde via social media and other marketing tools - thank you!

The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening at Cinema Verde, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Cinema Verde and the Gainesville Environmental Film and Arts Festival, Inc. from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

By submitting your film (“Film”) to Cinema Verde Environmental Film and Arts Festival, you accept and agree that you grant Cinema Verde a non-exclusive right and license to use, publish, screen, broadcast, and distribute the Film, as per the agreement stated here.

Non-English language films must have English subtitles. Please also provide closed caption files if available.

All submissions must be cinema-quality high definition DVDs or downloadable digital media files. Cinema Verde will not take responsibility for returning films submitted.

Please include a downloadable version of your film trailer if applicable.

Winning submissions may not be withdrawn by the filmmaker.
33 Reviews
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  • Cynthia McKeown

    It was a thrill and honor to have my film, "Unacceptable Risk: Dr. Margaret Kripke on Cancer and the Environment" screen at this year's Cinema Verde Environmental Film Festival, and for the film to receive the Chemical Contamination Award. The festival draws an audience that is very engaged in environmental issues. We had a wonderful Q&A and discussion following my film. I was impressed with the films I viewed that covered so many diverse topics and represented many different countries and cultures. Kudos and thanks to Trish Riley and team for bringing us this wonderful, welcoming, informative and important festival each year!

    April 2024
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  • 育华 詹

    Thanks so much. This Festival is very good at all category,and
    that means a lot to me.

    April 2024
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  • Vittorio Caratozzolo

    Every time we have the experience of your generous and pleasant hospitality! Thanks a lot !

    April 2024
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  • Tyler Faires

    Thank you so much for having ACID Canal at your festival this year!

    April 2024
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  • Susan Perz

    I am thrilled that "Saving Jaguars and Ourselves" screened at Cinema Verde Environmental Film Festival and thrilled to receive the film award for Habitat Protection! It is a lovely community of people and Trish is great to work with!

    April 2024
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