DCEFF works at the intersection of environmental storytelling and activism, using the transformative power of film to offer solutions to our planet’s climate crisis. Its annual festival, year-round programming, and digital media catalog highlight world-class documentaries, narrative features, and shorts – through which audiences connect with critical environmental topics, from climate activism to parkland preservation, ocean health, animal conservation, Indigenous rights, plastic pollution, and more. Most of its screenings are free to the public and accompanied by discussions with filmmakers and special guests. Intentional partnerships bring specific programming to the youth and under-resourced communities most often impacted by environmental injustice. DCEFF also offers additional funding and training for emerging filmmakers of color, amplifying diverse voices to advance our understanding of the environment and promote environmental stewardship for all.
Headquarters: DC-Ward 2
Where They Operate: DC-Ward 1; DC-Ward 2; DC-Ward 3; DC-Ward 5; DC-Ward 6; DC-Ward 8; MD-Montgomery County
Age Groups Served: All
Population(s) Served: All
Schools They Work In: Academy for Learning Through the Arts Public Charter School; Capio JC Nalle ES; Children Studio School; Community Academy Public Charter School; CW Harris Elementary School; Duke Ellington School of the Arts; Francis Junior High School; Friendship Collegiate Academy; Friendship Public Charter School; Friendship Schools - Blow Pierce Junior Academy; Green Acres School; Howard Road Academy; Howard University Middle School of Math and Science; JC Nalle Elementary School; Jefferson Junior High School; Just Us Kids Daycare; Kamit Institute Public Charter School; Kingsbury Day School; Kramer Middle School; McKinley Technology High School; Milestones Enrichment Center; Neville Thomas Elementary School; Next Step Public Charter School; Options Public Charter School; Paul Public Charter School; Peabody Elementary School; Phoenix at Emory Grove; Roots Public Charter School; SAIL Public Charter School; School Without Walls; Sharpe Health School; Sousa Middle School; Thurgood Marshall Academy; Tree of Life Public Charter School; Walker-Jones Educational Center; Washington Middle School; Watkins Elementary School; William E. Doar, Jr. Public Charter School for the Performing Arts; WVSA ARTs Connection; Young America Works Public Charter School
Awards & Recognition
n/a
Press
- Environmental Film Festival Movies: 'Plastic,' 'Living Downstream'
Fri Apr 23 2010, Washington Post
Ann Hornaday previews D.C. premier of Living Downstream, a documentary about biologist and cancer-prevention activist Sandra Steingraber.
- Watching the Green Screens at the Enviromental Film Festival in D.C.
Fri Mar 26 2010, Grist.org
Grist reviews the EFF, "an embarrassment of environmental cinematic riches" and "a wellspring of eco-conscious cinema."
- Film Celebrates Acclaimed Environmental Activist
Tue Mar 23 2010, NBC Washington
Wendy Rieger profiles acclaimed environmentalist Peter Matthiessen, who stopped by the EFF.
- Enviromental Film Festival's Growth? It was Only Natural.
Tue Mar 16 2010, Washington Post
Get an overview of the Festival through a focus on specific films, including Fresh, Up, GasLand, To the Sea, and Sweetgrass.
Budget (FY2023)
- $3 million or higher
- $1 million to $3 million
- The current budget for Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital is: $500k to $1 million
- Less than $500k
Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to
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