Best Ocean Environmental Film
Oceans, marine life, surfing, coastal environments and marine conservation.
INAUGURAL FESTIVAL · 11–12 JUNE 2027 · MARGARET RIVER, WA
Stories can change minds. Action can change the world.
A new festival on Wadandi Country celebrating the world's best environmental and ocean films — and the real-world impact they create.
Submissions now open. Regular entries close 31 December 2026.
Submissions are open.
Enter via FilmFreeway →- Regular deadline
- 31 December 2026
- Late deadline
- 28 February 2027
- Extended deadline
- 31 March 2027
- Finalists notified
- 20 April 2027
- Festival
- 11–12 June 2027
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Great environmental films should do more than win awards.
The Margaret River Environmental Film Festival is a new two-day festival screening outstanding environmental and ocean films from Australia and around the world: documentaries, narrative features, shorts and student work exploring conservation, wildlife, oceans, climate, sustainability and our relationship with nature.
We believe these films should spark conversations, build communities, influence decisions and move people to act for the places, wildlife and causes they care about. Whether a film reaches one person or one million, we celebrate stories with the power to move the needle.
Our ambition is to grow MREFF into Australia's premier environmental film festival.
THE PROGRAM
More than screenings
Alongside two days of films, MREFF will bring filmmakers, audiences and environmental groups together.
Workshops
Practical sessions on new media and accessible environmental filmmaking, including how to use platforms like Instagram and YouTube to drive social and environmental change. Everybody has a camera in their pocket.
Social impact events
Sessions on turning films into campaigns, for storytellers, campaigners and impact producers.
Community events
Screenings, conversations and gatherings that connect filmmakers with local audiences and environmental groups.
Finalist Cinema Tour
Selected finalists may screen beyond the festival as part of the MREFF Finalist Cinema Tour.
Full program announced May 2027.
AWARDS
Five awards celebrating excellence in environmental filmmaking
$10,000 prize pool.
40 MINUTES OR LONGER
Best Environmental Feature Film
Any genre with an environmental focus.
Best Australian Environmental Film
Environmental storytelling from Australian filmmakers.
UNDER 40 MINUTES INCLUDING CREDITS
Best Short Environmental Film
Documentary, narrative and animation all eligible.
Best Student Environmental Film
Made while enrolled at a secondary school, TAFE, college or university.
Ready to enter?
Full rules, fees and screener requirements are on FilmFreeway.
Submit nowELIGIBILITY AT A GLANCE
Who can enter
- 01Completed on or after 1 June 2025
- 02Films from any country are welcome
- 03Non-English films must include English subtitles
- 04Multiple entries allowed; each film is a separate submission
- 05Screeners accepted online via FilmFreeway only
Submission checklist
How to enter
A complete entry includes a downloadable low-res screener, a full EPK including trailer, and a synopsis of 25 words or less. Selected filmmakers will be asked for a high-quality exhibition file.
Read the full rulesON WADANDI COUNTRY
Nala Bardip Mia — "Our Story House"
MREFF honours the enduring wisdom of the Wadandi (Saltwater) people, part of the Noongar Nation and the Traditional Custodians of this region. For more than 60,000 years the Wadandi have lived in deep relationship with Country, understanding that people, land, waters, plants and animals are interconnected.
The festival is centred at Nala Bardip Mia at Margaret River HEART, a place whose very name reflects the power of storytelling, in the heart of one of the world's recognised biodiversity hotspots.
Nala Bardip Mia, Margaret River HEART · 47 Wallcliffe Road, Margaret River WA 6285
Open in Google Maps →SUPPORTED BY
Funded in part through the Shire of Augusta Margaret River's Community Development and Events Grants Program.
Become a sponsor
Help us offer substantial prize money and bring the world's best environmental films to Margaret River.
Talk to us about sponsorshipAs featured in
South Western Times — "Film fest with green edge", 30 April 2026.
