Multispecies Connections

Film Festival 2027

We invite submissions of films, animations, photography and artworks for the 2027 Multispecies Connections Film Festival.  

The festival will explore new approaches to plant, animal and non-human kinship. Students, artists, filmmakers and creative thinkers are invited to submit original pieces which respond to the topic of ‘Multispecies Connections’. Films may respond to the methodological and conceptual opportunities and challenges posed by multispecies worlds and research. How do we include other-than-human participants in our practice? How do we decentre the human from multispecies representations? Entrants will build on the energetic discussions generated by experiments in multispecies film and art making.  

Shorts, Feature, Documentary and Animation films will be accepted with a maximum run time of 30 minutes. Please see Rules and Terms below for further details.

The festival will feature selected films and an exhibition of still photography and artworks. Prizes will be awarded for the winning films in three categories:

  • Best Film (£500)

  • Best Film by a Student (£500)

  • Audience Award for Best Moment (£300)

Submissions will be due by 27 February 2027. Stay tuned for further information about how to submit. 

Selected entries will be included in the film festival screening to be hosted at the University of Cambridge in Spring of 2027.

Rules and Terms

1.     Eligibility

Accepted Formats

Shorts, Feature, Documentary and Animation films will be accepted. The maximum run time for a film is 30 minutes.

The festival aims to emphasise new or emerging films and work and so we ask that films were completed after 2020.

The use of AI tools for minor assistance, such as basic editing is permitted. Films substantially generated by AI systems – including AI-generated visuals, performances, voices, or scripts will not be eligible. The festival reserves the right to request information regarding the creative process and determine eligibility.

Language requirements – films which are primarily in English and non-English films with English subtitles will be accepted.

Films that have been previously published online are eligible.

The festival accepts submissions of films that are still in development or post-production, provided the project is sufficiently complete for evaluation. Filmmakers submitting a work-in-progress must clearly indicate the current status of the film and provide details of any remaining production or post-production elements. If selected, the final completed version of the film must be delivered by the festival's required deadline and meet all technical screening requirements.

The festival reserves the right to determine whether a work-in-progress submission is suitable for consideration.

While we welcome premieres of all kinds, selection is based on the overall quality, originality, and suitability of the film for our festival programme and themes.

2.     Submission Requirements

Please upload your submission through FilmFreeway by the deadline of 27 February 2027.

Only one submission per entrant will be accepted.

Along with your submission please provide a cover image, a short synopsis (200 words), and a short biography of film creator(s) (200 words).

3.     Rights and Permissions

By submitting an entry, the entrant confirms that they own all necessary rights to the film, including music, images, and performances. The festival is not responsible for copyright infringement.

Films must have been made with informed consent from all participants and follow the ethical guidelines set out by the Association of Social Anthropologists (ASA) Ethical Guidelines for Good Research Practice or similar frameworks.

4.     Screening Rights

If selected, the festival is granted the permission to screen the submitted film during the festival dates only.

5.     Promotional Use

The festival may use trailers, posters, still images (up to 30 seconds of footage) and excerpts solely for promotional purposes.

6.     Selection Process

  • Decisions are made by an appointed panel of judges. All decisions are final.

  • Feedback will not be provided unless selected.

  • Selection does not guarantee awards. Submission does not guarantee selection.

7.     Awards

Award Categories

  • Best Film (£500)

  • Best Film by a Student (£500)

  • Audience Award for Best Moment (£300)

8.     Notification Dates

  • Deadline for submission is 1 March 2027 at 15:00 UTC+0. No submissions will be accepted after this date.

  •  Entrants will be informed by 15 April 2027 if their entrance has been selected for the festival.

  • The festival will be held in May 2027. Details to be confirmed.

9.     Withdrawal Policy

Films may be withdrawn before the final submission deadline. Once officially selected, withdrawals are generally not permitted except under exceptional circumstances.

10.  Content Policy

We welcome films exploring a wide range of themes, perspectives, and subject matter. Films containing mature themes, violence, strong language, or sensitive topics are eligible for consideration where appropriate to the story.

However, the festival reserves the right to decline any submission that contains unlawful content, infringes the rights of others, or promotes hatred, discrimination, or violence against individuals or groups. All selection decisions are made at the sole discretion of the festival programming team.

11.  Liability

While every reasonable care will be taken, the festival is not liable for loss or damage to submitted materials.

12.  Privacy

Contact information will only be used for festival administration and will not be sold to third parties.

13.  Acceptance of Rules & Terms

Submission to the festival constitutes acceptance of all festival rules and terms.