OPEN CALL FOR FILMS | 2027 EDITION

Rooted in communal spaces of Laroin (South-West France, at the foot of the Pyrenees), Ec(h)o FF explores what it means to think about cinema ecologically and embracing a utopian thinking approach in a broad sense, moving beyond films that are simply about the ecological crisis to rethink the whole ecosystem surrounding cinema and positive alternatives: how we make, watch and share films, but also what we create around them. Cinema becomes a way to gather, create collectively, build relationships and care for each other and the places we inhabit.

And we're looking for films that share this curiosity.

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY ECOCINEMA?

For us, ecocinema is not limited to nature documentaries or films denouncing environmental crises. We understand ecology as a perspective through which to question cinema as a whole.

Ecology as subject. What stories do we tell about the living world? Whose voices are heard, and whose remain unheard?

Ecology as form. Can cinema invite us to slow down, contemplate, pay attention and experience different rhythms and temporalities?

Ecology as practice. How can we make films differently? Through experimentation, handmade techniques, reused materials, collective creation and fewer resources?

Ecology as possibility. Can cinema help us imagine alternatives, forms of resistance and desirable futures yet to be invented?

Ecology as a collective experience. What happens when we bring people together around a screen to share stories, perspectives and experiences? What if we moved from authoral and very individualistic ways of making films?

These questions guide our approach to ecocinema, but we don't expect every film to answer all of them.

OPEN CALL — SUBMIT YOUR FILM

What are we looking for?

We welcome films that explore ecological and social questions, challenge conventional cinematic languages, experiment with alternative production practices or imagine different relationships with the world. We are particularly interested in original, experimental and thought-provoking approaches. Whether through fiction, documentary, animation, experimental cinema or hybrid forms, we want to discover different ways of seeing and making cinema.

COMPETITIVE CATEGORIES - SHORT FILMS

The competitive categories will be decided based on the films selected. We would love to have among our selection:

• Ecotopias: Stories that show alternative, better, more just, more respectful, more ecological and more collective futures. If we want to change the present, we must first be able to imagine another future."
• Green comedy: Eco-socially engaged works driven by humor.
• Windows: Fictional or documentary approaches to social realities that need visibility.
• Echo-punk: Experimental, unclassifiable, creative, handmade, free, cute, or punk pieces that expand the eco-artistic imaginary.

AWARDS

The name and number of awards will be decided based on the films selected. We would love to deliver the following awards:

• Most desirable Ecotopia Award
• Funniest Green Comedy Award
• Cleanest Window Award
• Cutest Punk Award
• Best Animated Short Film
• Audience Award

EC(H)O SCREENINGS

Non-competitive screenings of medium-length and feature films aimed at showcasing ecocinema, featuring the presence of the filmmakers to foster a creative and social post-screening discussion.

How to submit your film

You can submit your film through:

• FilmFreeway (3€ fee)
• Festhome (3€ fee)
• Our online submission form (in this very page) (for free)

Choose whichever platform works best for you. You only need to submit your film once.

MORE THAN A FESTIVAL: THE ECOCINEMA LAB

What if you could do more than screen your film? What if you could come and make another one?

Alongside Ec(h)o Film Festival, Rakonto is organising an international Ecocinema Lab from 27 February to 9 March 2027. Young creatives from across Europe and beyond will come together to explore handmade animation, experimental filmmaking and low-resource audiovisual practices.

The laboratory is supported by Erasmus+ and is fully funded for selected participants, including accommodation, meals and travel reimbursement under the project's conditions.

Filmmakers submitting to the festival who are interested in the laboratory are also encouraged to apply. Please note that film submissions and laboratory applications are two separate selection processes, with different eligibility criteria.

Ecocinema Lab applications open on 16 November 2026.