We are Only an Ethical and Sustainabile 🌱 non-profit online festival who support film advocacy for animal ethics, human diversity and global sustainability at the core.
We exist to celebrate under-represented storytellers from around the world: We watch and write a review for ALL submissions. Finalists, Nominees and Winners will be listed on IMDb.

Mission and Vision

To maintain an ethical, sustainable, inclusive and diverse environment. We select and celebrate films which demonstrate a sustainable understanding of animal welfare, climate issues, human equality and equity, in many cases human extraordinary abilities.

Sustainability

We demonstrate sustainability partly through our selection process, also by running the festival online, encouraging accessible virtual experiences for attendees and creating digital awards for winners.

IMPORTANT: Please subscribe to our social media, most announcements will only be made there. We have moved entirely online. Screeners will be uploaded to YouTube for the festival week.

We have main 8 categories plus an overall favourite.

Certificates for
Favourite Vegan / Environmental
Favourite Remembrance / Indigenous
Favourite Alternate Abilities
Favourite Experimental / Animation / Celluloid
Favourite Youth
Favourite LGBTQ+
Favourite Documentary
Favourite Fiction

1) All films must be subtitled (embedded, burned-in) in English if the main language is not English.

2) Technical details of all the films (release year, format, genre, duration, camera, country of origin) are crucial information for the festival, any submission lacking these will not be given priority, if the submitter is unresponsive to such information requests, the films can be disqualified.

3) A maximum of 2 films per submitter will be considered. Each submission must be clearly labelled: (filmmaker name, submission number, film title, year of film's release and country of production/release).

4) All filmmakers give the organisers full rights to stream/use any part of their films and reference to titles, cast and crew names in the reviews and relevant festival websites.

5) All young filmmakers (under 18) must be prepared to provide contact details of a legal guardian (over 18) should we request them.

6) Filmmakers should be aware that we deal with high quality downloadable digital screeners. Also, awards will not be monetary - certificates will be emailed out to filmmakers. Reviews will be organised at the Festival's discretion and any file transfers will take place online via email. The festival cannot pay filmmakers (fees or expenses) to attend any live events.

7) Our festival will retain all festival streaming/screening rights to all submitted works. Plus we will require downloads of publicity materials to be used for promotional purposes at the Festival's discretion. The live events are recorded and will be uploaded publicly to YouTube, these will include the full screened films.

8) We do not require premiere status, however all screenings and accolades a film has already received must be listed for each to be considered. We prefer films with less exposure, no older than 3 years since first release.

9) In order to partake in our festival we require submitters to subscribe to our festival YouTube channel - we are creating a community of filmmakers. Some of your PR material will be uploaded to our channel at the discretion of our panel. If you are not subscribed we will remove your work and potentially retain the right to disqualify you from the festival.

10) We will not respond to emails regarding fee waivers. Running a festival and reviewing all submissions is costly and time consuming even though we love it.
However please note there is a category for sanctioned and/or conflict affected countries to submit free.

11) We do not pay filmmakers licence fees to screen their work, we help expose them and offer feedback to all.

12) By submitting any works all submitters agree to all the above.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Morena Sarzo

    Excellent communication and professionalism. I highly recommend this festival! A fantastic platform supporting creativity and independent filmmakers.

    May 2026
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words and profound filmmaking.

  • Ray Cruzzola

    Thanks again Film Only Film!!!

    May 2026
    Response from festival:

    What an honour for us to have you, Ray!

  • Terlinchamp Vincent

    Great values! Very good contact with Francesco!

    May 2026
    Response from festival:

    You're welcome - thanks for your excellent film!

  • Great festival, an honour to be included!

    May 2026
    Response from festival:

    You created a special film. Very well done!

  • Tim Dübbert

    Francesco created a very fine festival with a great vision and an exciting range of films. Valeria and Victoria did a great job hosting the festival and making everyone feel very welcome!

    May 2025