The Matsalu Nature Film Festival (MAFF) 2024 Call For Entry.
Next Deadline: February 1, 2024
The Matsalu Nature Film Festival (MAFF) is an annual nature film event held in Estonia. It has been named after the nearby Matsalu National Park, which is one of the largest bird sanctuaries in Europe. MAFF is organized by the Matsalu Nature Film Festival non-profit organization in cooperation with the Lääneranna municipal government. The festival promotes nature-oriented and sustainable ways of life and respect for the nature-connected traditions of indigenous people. It showcases a variety of new international documentaries about wildlife, conservation and the environment that deepen, inspire and ignite change.
Traditionally, the festival features various art and nature photography exhibitions, photo presentations and meetings of both professional and amateur photographers. The program also includes screenings, activities and workshops for schoolchildren, roundtable discussions on different nature-related topics and other cultural events.
MAFF takes place in the tiny town of Lihula in Western Estonia. A selection of films is shown all over Estonia.
Submission Rules & Regulations:
MAFF considers creative documentaries (15 minutes and over) completed after January 1st, 2022. The festival does not accept fiction.
Films can be submitted in one of two categories:
◾ NATURE – documentaries that depict the natural world in its diversity.
◾ MAN AND NATURE – documentaries that depict the relationship and balance between nature and humanity.
However, it is up to the festival to decide for which category the entry will qualify.
Films that have been submitted for consideration in previous years are not eligible, not even if the film has changed significantly since the last time it was submitted.
The number of entries by one author is not limited.
The submission to the festival is free of charge until April 1, 2024.
The festival does not pay screening fees to entrants for the screening of their films.
Awards and Prizes:
Competing films are judged by an international jury of six members, who are filmmakers and nature experts. The jury will award the following prizes:
◾ Grand Prix for the Best Film (Grant of 3000 Euros)
◾ Best Director (Grant of 1000 Euros in each category)
◾ Best Cinematography (one in each category)
◾ Best Editing (one in each category)
◾ Special Jury Prize (one in each category)
◾ Special Mention (one in each category)
Both competing and non-competing films are nominated for:
◾ Audience Award
◾ Special Prizes
Key dates:
- Earlybird Deadline:
- Regular Deadline:
- Late Deadline:
- Extended and Final Deadline:
You can be in contact with us in case of submission or further questions. See more calls HERE.
