2026 Submissions Now Open
Want your work considered for DC's top film festival?
We are now accepting submissions for our 34th Annual Environmental Film Festival (March 19-28, 2026)! Learn more and submit your work via our FilmFreeway page.
We had a truly awesome experience at DCEFF and felt deeply honored to share our film with such a passionate and welcoming community in the nation’s capital. From thoughtful conversations to inspiring fellow filmmakers and a beautifully curated program, it was a weekend to remember. We’re so grateful to have been part of it.
—Ben Masters, Director of The American Southwest
More About DCEFF
Since 1993, the DC Environmental Film Festival (DCEFF) has been the world’s premier showcase of environmental storytelling. Our mission is to harness the power of film and community to illuminate, celebrate, and inspire positive and lasting action for our planet.
Our screenings are held at unique venues across the DC Metro Area, including museums, embassies, universities, and other leading arts, cultural, and scientific institutions.
And for the last 7 years in a row, we’ve been voted DC’s Best Film Festival by the readers of Washington City Paper!
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for the very best in environmental storytelling to share with our amazing audiences here in DC. From climate change and environmental justice to wildlife conservation and outdoor adventure, we accept a wide-variety of short and feature-length films highlighting the natural world and the important issues facing our planet.
Just got back from DCEFF and honestly, what a great experience. Brad, Jacob, Samantha, Monica—the whole team is just…the real deal. Super generous, thoughtful, and clearly putting a ton of heart into everything they do. The audiences were amazing too—totally locked in and asking sharp questions. It all just felt really human and alive. Grateful to be part of it.
—David Usui, Director of Been Here Stay Here
Film Awards
In 2025, DCEFF presented four film awards totaling $30,000 in filmmaker support. To learn more about those and see past winners, visit our Awards page.
Awards for the 2026 Festival are TBA. Expect information about what those are and the prize amounts later this fall.
Recent Participants
Among 2025’s special guests were representatives from prominent environmental organizations, the press, and cultural institutions like Natural Resources Defense Council, American Rivers, National Geographic, National Academy of Sciences, National Parks Conservation Association, World Wildlife Fund, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, and the Pulitzer Center.
Recent special guests of DCEFF include: Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Quannah Chasinghorse, Mustafa Santiago Ali, Merlin Sheldrake, Sylvia Earle, Charlie James Hamilton, Alex Honnold, Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Royal Ramey, “The Planetwalker” John Francis, Senator Adam Schiff, Leah Penniman, and Luc Jacquet.