IMPORTANT: The Sprouts Film Festival 2027 Call for Submissions ONLY accepts fiction, experimental, hybrid and animation films. Traditional documentaries are not eligible.

Submissions must fall into one of the following categories:

Short, mid-length, feature or VR experiences that can be categorised as ecocinema; or
Debut feature films with a distinctive queer perspective (queer shorts are not eligible).

Please read our Rules & Terms carefully to determine whether your submission is eligible. Only films submitted via FilmFreeway will be considered; submissions sent by email will not be accepted. Due to the volume of submissions, we are unable to respond to enquiries about the status of your film. Please respect our notification date of 31 March 2027.

Free waivers are not available. Please refer to the Discounts section for information on available discount codes.

The annual Sprouts Film Festival showcases the cinema of the future through three parallel competitions, all exclusively featuring fiction, experimental, hybrid and animation films. At Sprouts, we believe in the power of imagination; fiction is part of our festival's DNA.

Our Debut Competition presents socially engaged debut features. As aspiring system changers, we understand how difficult it can be to get a foot in the door. By presenting fresh, unreleased gems to Amsterdam's international audience, we hope to help launch the next generation of filmmakers.

Our Eco Competition showcases fiction features with a strong ecological focus. Through ecocinema and green storytelling, we aim to amplify urgent environmental narratives and inspire audiences to take action. Complementing this programme is our Eco Shorts Competition, which brings outstanding short environmental stories to Amsterdam.

Following the festival, a selection of films goes On Tour, screening at cinemas and cultural institutions both within and beyond Amsterdam.

Sprouts is more than just a film festival. Two of our central pillars are the Eco Expo, featuring commissioned artworks that question our relationship with the more-than-human world, and our programme of audiovisual performances, which fosters a deeper connection with our lived environment. We also host an Industry Day, including the annual Sprouts Eco Shorts Pitch.

In 2026, three submitted short films were selected for the festival: Tuinhuis, Perken, and ADEMDRIFT. The other films were selected through research.

Awards & Prizes

We present three awards each edition:

Jury Award for Best Debut Feature (honorary)
Jury Award for Best Eco Feature Competition (honorary)
Jury Award for Best Eco Short (cash prize: €500)

Rules & Terms

RULES | THEMATIC
Your short, mid-length, feature or VR experience must be a work of fiction, an experimental film, an animation, or a hybrid film. We do not accept traditional documentaries.

At Sprouts, we embrace a broad definition of ecocinema, provided that ecology lies at the heart of the film. Themes may include, but are by no means limited to: ecology, environmentalism, sustainability, climate activism, (collapsing) ecosystems, queer ecology, ecofeminism, Indigeneity, human–animal relationships, ecocide, rural–urban dynamics, elemental worlds, and more.

A queer debut feature should meaningfully engage with LGBTQIA+ communities, identities or rights, and contribute to queer representation.

Your film should have the potential to inspire, challenge, educate and/or motivate audiences to take action.

We strongly encourage submissions from women filmmakers, filmmakers of colour, and filmmakers who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, as we believe it is essential for our festival programme to reflect the diversity of the film industry.

We are also particularly keen to receive submissions from Dutch filmmakers.

RULES | TECHNICAL
The film must be completed.
The film must be available as a DCP.
The film must include English subtitles.
The film must have been produced between 2025 and 2027.
Ideally, the film should not have had a theatrical screening in the Netherlands before 31 May 2027.
Short and mid-length films must not exceed 50 minutes in length. Feature films must be 51 minutes or longer.

TERMS
Submissions close on 28 February 2027.
Applicants will be notified of our decision by 31 March 2027.
Due to our limited capacity, we are unable to provide individual feedback.
If selected, your film will receive at least one in-person screening in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
If selected, you will receive a screening fee and an official festival laurel.
In keeping with the ecological values of our festival, we rarely invite cast and/or crew members to attend in person.

DISCOUNTS
You may be eligible for a 50% discount if your submission meets one of the following criteria:

Your film is a Dutch student production.
The main production country is one of the following Creative Europe MEDIA Category C/D countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia or Slovenia.
The main production country is located in Africa, Asia or South America.

If any of the above applies, please contact thomas@sproutsfilmfestival.com to request a discount code.

We do not offer fee waivers.
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  • Begaly Nargozuev

    Thank you
    Sprouts Film Festival for the fact that our film Mountain Wagtail passed the official selection and participated in the competition program.
    Thanks to Thomas for communications.
    Thank you for paying us to show our film.
    Best regards, Begaly Nargozu

    June 2024
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