The 2025 AnFFF invites filmmakers from around the world to explore the complex relationship between humanity and the natural world through cinema.
This year's open call has ended. Please stay tuned for the ANFFF 2025.
“As the need for peaceful coexistence between humans and other species becomes more urgent, we must learn to pay attention in new ways— To the quiet expressions of animals, the gentle growth of plants, the subtle movements of microscopic life, and the shared rhythms that connect all living things.”
This year's festival also boasts a remarkable international presence, with 226 films presented in 49 languages, a significant increase of 12 compared to last year. Filming locations spanned 69 countries and regions, demonstrating remarkable geographical and cultural diversity. The filmmakers also displayed a diverse background. Sixty-two of the films were debuts, highlighting the creative energy of emerging filmmakers. Fifty student projects contributed significant academic perspectives. The gender composition of the directors was relatively even, with 92 male and 91 female, with 43 directors choosing not to disclose their gender. Regarding film length, 50 films were 30 minutes or longer, while 143 short films under 30 minutes dominated the competition.
The ANFFF film competition has been held for three years now, adhering to its core principle of "presenting the inherent experiences of animals and their ecological relationships in an authentic, respectful, de-anthropomorphic, and exotic way." The 226 films from around the world not only embody diverse perspectives and profound reflections, demonstrating the immense creative potential of their creators, but also underscore the necessity and urgency of exploring multispecies coexistence. The festival's organizing committee will carefully select the shortlisted works and looks forward to engaging audiences in a deep dialogue about the interplay of humanity, nature, and life within the ecological network during subsequent screenings.
ANIMAL NATURE FUTURE
ANIMAL NATURE FUTURE
The Animal Nature Future Film Festival is the cornerstone event of INB CIC. Our mission is to develop a sustainable, adaptable, and unique portfolio of artistic projects dedicated to protecting animals and the environment in a contextually relevant manner through visual artistic connections. We aim to foster a symbiotic relationship between humanity and the natural world. Through a series of artistic experiences, our mission is to ignite impactful dialogues internationally through the medium of film, promote eco-friendly practices, and be a pioneer for positive environmental change.
Through cinematic art experiences, ANFFF sparks global dialogues, drives eco-conscious practices, and leads as a catalyst for positive environmental change. We serve communities, artists, conservation groups, animal welfare initiatives, educational institutions, and local audiences, fostering empathy and reverence for the natural world.
In 2025, the Animal Nature Future Film Festival will unfold from October to December as a dual-city event across the UK and China, featuring screenings and exhibitions. By blending diverse artistic formats with locally resonant engagements, we aim to deepen connections with audiences in each city. Notably, ANFFF has partnered with WeShort, an Oscar®-qualifying short film platform, to co-support the international distribution of selected films.
Awards & Evaluation Criteria
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This award recognizes feature films that focus on animal-related issues and demonstrate profound reflections on the future of ecosystems. It encourages narratives that respect animal ethics and promote multispecies coexistence.
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This award is presented to works that stand out in narrative, form, or artistic expression, and leave a deep impression on the jury. The subject matter is not limited.
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Awarded to the best short film that excels in creativity, storytelling, and aesthetic expression, encouraging a balance of form exploration and content depth.
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The Plantlogue Award honours cinematic works that give voice to the vegetal, inviting us to listen to the quiet narratives rooted in leaves, stems, spores, and silence.
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Presented to filmmakers aged 30 or under, whose work showcases a distinct personal style, independent thought, and future potential.
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This award is determined by on-site audience voting at ANFFF, with the film receiving the highest number of votes being selected.
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Presented to a film that creates significant resonance and lasting impact on a social, cultural, or emotional level. This award recognizes both the expressive power of the work and its ability to inspire public reflection and dialogue.
Meet the Jury team
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Producer at the BBC Natural History Unit
Former Director at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in London
Peter Venn is a member of the Arts Committee at International Nature Bond CIC and has over 30 years of experience in wildlife filmmaking. He has produced television programs and films for major broadcasters including the BBC, National Geographic, and Discovery Channel. During his time at the RSPCA, he managed one of the largest wildlife rehabilitation centers in the UK. He currently leads and teaches the Wildlife Filmmaking Master’s program at the University of the West of England, in partnership with the BBC. Films created by his students during the course have received major awards at BAFTA, Wildscreen Festival, Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, and the Royal Television Society Awards (RTS).
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Director of the AI Future Imaging Research Center at Shanghai Vancouver Film School (SHVFS), Shanghai University
Odet Abadia is a Spanish director and producer active across Europe and Asia in both creative production and education. Her work focuses on the intersection of technology and storytelling within the context of transnational cultural exchange, with extensive experience in documentary, animation, and AI-driven visual media.
She directed the BBC Storyworks documentary Innovent, which explores breakthroughs in monoclonal antibody treatments by a Chinese biotechnology company; created a public service announcement campaign on mental health in China for the World Health Organization; and wrote and directed the educational animation Learn Spanish with Lince & Panda, a playful project aimed at children learning Spanish. Sensitive to visual language and deeply engaged with the relationship between technology, culture, and emotion, her work bridges narrative innovation and cross-cultural communication.
Submission Guidelines
1. No Restrictions on Equipment
There are no limitations regarding the filming equipment used in the production.
2. All Genres Welcome
ANFFF accepts all types of films, including fiction, animation, documentary, experimental works, and essay films.
Note: The competition section does not accept commercial promotional videos, branded content, or vlog-style videos. For related partnership inquiries, please contact the festival team directly at info@anfff.org.
3. Runtime Categories
• Feature Films: Running time over 60 minutes
• Short Films: Running time under 60 minutes
4. Submission Format
Please submit an online screener in .mov or .mp4 format. Preview links must remain valid until October 15, 2025, and passwords should not be changed arbitrarily. If a change is necessary, please notify the festival team promptly via email.
5. Subtitle Requirements
All submissions must include English subtitles. If selected, a separately extractable subtitle file (e.g., .srt) must be provided.
6. Production Completion Date
Only films completed after January 1, 2023, are eligible.
7. Originality and Copyright
All submitted films must be original works. Submitters must hold the rights for exhibition and competition. ANFFF reserves the right to disqualify any entry found in violation.
8. Ecological and Ethical Standards
To uphold ANFFF’s values regarding animal welfare and environmental conservation, all submitted works must not involve any harm to animals during production. Additionally, films must not damage natural habitats or disturb wildlife for the sake of achieving visual effects. Evidence of animal cruelty or ecological harm will result in immediate disqualification.
9. Version Declaration
Please indicate in the submission form whether the submitted version is the final cut.
10. Materials Required for Selected Films
If selected, filmmakers must submit the following materials:
• Press Kit (including stills, vertical poster, director’s photo and bio, English synopsis, trailer, etc.)
• English subtitle file (.srt format)
• DCP screening copy (technical specs will be provided according to venue standards)
11. Screening and Licensing Agreement
All selected films must sign a screening and licensing agreement with the organizer by the designated deadline in order to proceed with the official screening process. With the consent of producers and rights holders, ANFFF may recommend selected works to international distributors and offline screening opportunities worldwide based on the nature of each film.
For any questions or special requests, please contact the ANFFF team at info@anfff.org
If you are currently experiencing financial hardship or facing other difficulties that prevent you from paying the submission fee or require additional support, please email the organizing committee (info@anfff.org) with a statement letter explaining your situation. The committee will review your request and may waive the submission fee at its discretion, in accordance with the British Film Institute (BFI) support guidelines.
Films from qualifying middle-to-low-income countries may apply for a reduction in the registration fee through the ANFFF team. Please refer to the UNDP's list of eligible countries for verification: UNDP Middle-to-Low Income Countries List
In addition to the prestige of receiving an award, winning films will benefit from comprehensive exposure across all ANFFF media platforms. This includes global media coverage reaching over 100 million views and engagements worldwide, along with opportunities for exclusive media interviews. Furthermore, we offer optional global distribution support for all selected films (subject to a separate agreement), leveraging our festival platform to facilitate international distribution and screening opportunities.
