Society & Culture

EcoFocus Film Festival issues call for film submissions

Athens, Ga. – The EcoFocus Film Festival, an initiative of the University of Georgia Odum School of Ecology, is now accepting film submissions for its third annual festival that will take place in October in Athens.

The mission of EcoFocus is to bring great films to audiences and combine them with creative outreach events to inspire better stewardship of the planet.

The first EcoFocus Film Festival took place in 2008, with 12 world-class feature-length environmental films and more than 25 short films, including the top selections and winners of the EcoFocus Short Film Competition, and other related discussions, filmmakers and special guests and events.

EcoFocus is accepting submissions for two film categories this year: Environmental Shorts (20 minutes or less) and Environmental Features (50-minute minimum). Films between 20 and 50 minutes are difficult to program and have a relatively small chance of acceptance, but will be considered for the Environmental Features category.

Films submitted to EcoFocus should in some way relate to the environment. All genres of film on a variety of environmental subjects-climate, water, energy, agriculture/food systems, environmental restoration, biodiversity, advocacy, human impacts, lifestyle change, policy, natural resource scarcity, natural history, etc.-are welcome. EcoFocus also encourages films made by filmmakers from or based in the southeastern U.S. Films should promote awareness, discussion and action among its viewers.

Coordinators of the EcoFocus Film Festival prefer online entries submitted via Withoutabox.com, which provides cost-saving, paperless submission to film festivals around the world. The Withoutabox.com Internet-only submission platform features online applications via one master entry form, online fee payments, press kits and the option to use Secure Online Screeners.

To submit a film, go to http://www.ecofocusfilmfest.org/submission.htm or www.withoutabox.com. Short film deadlines range from June 15-Aug. 1 and feature-length film deadlines range from May 15-July 1.

More information about EcoFocus can be found at www.ecofocusfilmfest.org. EcoFocus is a community-wide effort that draws upon the dedication of a variety of individuals, organizations, foundations and sponsors from the Athens community and beyond.