COP31 Climate Short Film Competition is open for entries
Water resources are diminishing, drought is spreading, and nature is changing at a pace that is becoming increasingly difficult to reverse. Guided by the theme “Our World, Our Common Home,” the COP31 Climate Short Film Competition aims to give an artistic voice to this transformation.
The COP31 Climate Short Film Competition is organized in collaboration with the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and COP31 Türkiye. COP31, the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9-20, 2026, hosted by Türkiye, bringing together government representatives, scientists, and civil society organizations from around the world.
In line with this theme, the competition welcomes fiction, documentary, and animation short films focusing on the climate crisis, ecological destruction, awareness of water and soil, recycling, or the relationship between humanity and nature.
The competition aims to turn environmental awareness into tangible action. The 3 EUR submission fee for each entry will be used to support the planting of one tree sapling as part of the “COP31 Memorial Forest” to be established by the Ministry.
With a submission deadline of October 10, 2026, selected films will be screened in Antalya during the festival week, taking place from November 11-19, 2026. Filmmakers will also have the opportunity to engage with industry professionals through panels, masterclasses, and talks.
Awards
A total of 14,000 EUR in cash prizes and screening fees will be awarded as part of the competition:
- First Prize: 5,000 EUR + Award Statuette
- Second Prize: 3,000 EUR + Award Statuette
- Third Prize: 2,000 EUR + Award Statuette
- Jury Special Award: 1,000 EUR + Award Statuette
- Screening Fee: 500 EUR for each of the 6 finalist films
- COP31 Documentary Special Award: A symbolic plaque presented to an outstanding documentary film
Eligibility requirements
- Films completed on or after January 1, 2024 are eligible for submission.
- The maximum running time is 20 minutes, including credits.
- Fiction, documentary, and animation films are eligible for submission.
- Films that use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their production or content will not be considered for evaluation.
- Films in languages other than English must include Turkish or English subtitles.
- Submissions are open to both national and international participants.
- If a film is selected as a finalist, it must be represented in person by at least one representative during the festival.
Topics
Your film must focus on at least one of the following topics:
- Global climate crisis
- Environmental disasters caused by the climate crisis
- Water scarcity and drought
- Recycling, zero waste, and the circular economy
- Ecological destruction, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation
- Climate migration and the human-nature relationship
Key dates
- Opening date: 5 September 2026
- Submission deadline: 10 October 2026
- Notification date: 25 October 2026
- Festival week: 11-19 November 2026, Antalya
Entries are accepted through FilmFreeway: COP31 Climate Short Film Competition submission page
One film can change the world. Contribute to a sustainable future through your story.
