Film Submissions

Make a Film… Make a Difference.

2025 Film Submission Now Closed!

Wild & Scenic features environmental and adventure films from around the world that illustrate the earth’s beauty, the challenges facing our planet, and the work communities do to protect the environment. We welcome documentary and narrative shorts and features about nature, community activism, intentional adventure, conservation, health, water, energy, climate change, wildlife, environmental justice, food, and farming. Our objective is to inform, inspire, and ignite solutions to restore the earth and human communities while creating a positive future for the next generation through stellar filmmaking, beautiful cinematography, and first-rate storytelling. Films are curated into themed tracks, which pair projects with complimentary subject matter or ideas to create a cinematic journey for audiences.

While all submissions will be considered, we are especially interested in projects that interpret our 2025 theme, Wild at Heart.

“The 2025 theme of ‘Wild at Heart’ speaks to the power of wild places to spark inspiration, compassion, and understanding of the world around us. Wild is a natural state and place of inspiration, particularly for this festival,” notes Festival Director, Eric Dunn.

With a nod to the festival’s namesake, created in celebration of SYRCL’s landmark victory to earn “Wild & Scenic” status for 39 miles of the South Yuba River, the 2025 theme encourages us all to work to stay wild in ways that enrich us and our surroundings. The theme also embraces a multitude of meanings of “heart”.

“It champions ‘heart’ as courage or enthusiasm for the environment, and the work each one of us can do to help protect it. The theme is also an homage to heart being the center and the way in which the Wild is central to all wellbeing, from biodiversity around the globe to that feeling we get exploring special places, wherever we may find them,” Dunn continued.

WSFF is excited for all the wild and heartfelt ways in which we will gather and celebrate the earth and its inhabitants in 2025!

FINAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE WAS SEPTEMBER 30

SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2025 FESTIVAL ARE NOW CLOSED

ABOUT OUR MAIN CATEGORIES

Environmental Films

Wild & Scenic accepts all films with an environmental theme, including documentaries, animation, shorts, features, and narratives. We look for environmental films that are entertaining, educational, and, above all, inspirational. We want our audiences to be inspired to make a difference in their communities and the world.

Adventure Films

Wild & Scenic screens entertaining and inspiring adventure films from all over the world. Topics include climbing, mountaineering, surfing, and more. A particular preference is given to adventure films with an environmental focus.

Student Films

Are you a student filmmaker? We encourage you to submit your student environmental and adventure films. We accept documentaries, animation, kids’ films, shorts, and music videos. Films should be informative, engaging, and inspiring. An enrolled student at any level of education must have completed the project.

Family-Friendly Films

Films in this category will be particularly considered to be featured in Wild & Scenic’s K-12 School Programs and Kids’ Sessions at the film festival.

ABOUT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

We cannot fulfill our mission of uniting the community to heal the earth without seeing the intersection of social justice with the environmental movement. We must invite and include all voices if we want a better planet. Please read our Statement of Inclusion about our commitment to diverse programming and a welcoming experience for festival-goers.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can you help me figure out FilmFreeway?

Sure! FilmFreeway is very user-friendly, but we’re happy to offer pointers to get you set up.

First, you need to create a FilmFreeway account.
Next, create a “project” within the site. Generally, a project will be a film.
Once you have created your film project, add a digital version of your project (like a Vimeo link direct upload to FilmFreeway).
Once your film project is complete, you can submit your film to any festival.
To submit to Wild & Scenic, search for “wild and scenic” in the search bar.
Click the green button that says “submit now.”
Just pay the submission fee, and you’re done!

If you have questions, contact Eric Dunn, Festival Director.

What does it cost to submit a film?

We encourage you to submit your work early. We offer discounted entry fees the earlier you submit.

Early Bird deadline: July 14: $40
Regular deadline: August 11: $50
Late deadline: September 30: $65

Films submitted to the Student Film category receive a $5 discount.

Can I get a fee waiver or discount?

As Wild & Scenic is a fundraiser for SYRCL, we can only offer a limited number of fee waivers and discounts and cannot guarantee them from year to year. If you wish to apply, click here. APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 14, 2024.

When will I find out if my film has been accepted?

Our Notification Date is November 22, 2024. You will receive an email via FilmFreeway with information regarding your submission status on that day. We will notify you if we need to move the Notification Date.

Do you offer feedback if my film is not accepted?

If requested, but we cannot guarantee a timeframe as we receive many requests for feedback and are not always able to respond promptly. We’re grateful for your patience.

What type of films are you looking for?

We watch hundreds of films annually to find the best and most inspiring environmental and adventure films. We welcome shorts and features about nature, community activism, conservation, health, water, energy, climate change, wildlife, environmental justice, food, and farming.

Educational nature documentaries and adrenaline films are always welcome, but does your film stand apart from the rest? Does your film inspire and motivate, as well as entertain and educate?

What film length do you recommend?

We screen all lengths, from 2 minutes to 100+ minutes. But some of the most compelling stories can be told in 40 minutes or less. More footage does not necessarily make a better film.

We have been known to ask filmmakers to submit a shorter version of their film for screening purposes. We generally accept fewer longer films.

I am an amateur filmmaker. Do you think I should submit my film?

We preview films from all levels of filmmaking. We welcome accomplished filmmakers, from students to novices in the field.

I have more than one film. Can I submit all of them for consideration?

Yes, please do! Just note that you must pay a submission fee for each film you submit.

Do you present awards?

We present various awards at our awards ceremony during the festival weekend. We also have a special competition for student filmmakers and awards determined by a Kids’ Jury. Check out our 2024 Festival Award Winners.

How do you select films to go On Tour with Wild & Scenic?

We select approximately 60 films each year to go on tour. These films are generally less than 40 minutes in length. Most films are less than 20 minutes. They have diverse topics and geographical regions.