About the Festival 3rd SER Film Festival
Lisbon, Portugal | 30 August to 3 September 2027
Building on the success of the SER2023 and SER2025 Film Festivals, we’re thrilled to bring it back for its third edition at SER2027 in Lisbon, Portugal. While scientific papers and technical reports document our work, film speaks a universal language that touches hearts and transforms minds. The festival bridges the gap between technical expertise and public understanding, making the vital work of ecological restoration accessible to all.
This festival celebrates the transformative power of ecological restoration through the timeless art of storytelling. Welcoming both new and existing works, the festival showcases films that illuminate the intricate relationships between people, science, restoration, and the environment, inviting audiences to reflect on our shared responsibility in restoring the natural world.
What’s New in 2027
There is more opportunity than ever to have your film seen by an international audience.
- Films will be screened every day of conference activities, with a dedicated screening room open throughout the conference.
- Approximately 20 films will be screened, up from roughly 6 to 9 at previous World Conferences.
- The festival culminates in the Director’s Showcase, an evening event where a curated selection of films will premiere for an audience of up to 800 attendees or more.
- The People’s Choice awards are chosen daily by the festival audience in Lisbon.
Who Can Submit
Films may be submitted by students and professionals in the field of ecological restoration, as well as by established or emerging filmmakers. We particularly encourage submissions from First Nations and Aboriginal peoples from around the world.
Submission Categories
- Student and Emerging Ecological Restoration Professional: films under 10 minutes
- Short Films: 2 to 10 minutes
- Feature Films: 10 to 40 minutes
- Weaving in Indigenous Perspectives: 2 to 40 minutes
Key Dates
- Submission deadline: 1 April 2027
- Selected films announced: 31 May 2027
- Film screenings: every day of conference activities, 30 August to 3 September 2027
- Director’s Showcase and awards: evening of Wednesday 1 September 2027
Support the Film Festival
Sponsorship of the SER2027 Film Festival can include recognition during the “Director’s Showcase,” logo placement on the film festival trailer and materials, and speaking opportunities during the event. Opportunities include the Director’s Showcase Sponsor, the People’s Choice Sponsor, and the Screening Room Sponsor.
Awards and Prizes
| Award | Prize |
|---|---|
| Director’s Choice | EUR 750 |
| Best Feature (10 to 40 minutes) | EUR 750 |
| Best Short (2 to 10 minutes, including credits) | EUR 750 |
| Best Weaving in Indigenous Perspectives (2 to 40 minutes) | EUR 750 |
| Spirit of Activism | EUR 750 |
| Best in Storytelling | EUR 750 |
| Best in Practice (Excellence in Restoration Practice) | EUR 750 |
| Best Student and Ecological Restoration Professional | 2 prizes of EUR 400 |
| People’s Choice | 4 prizes of EUR 50, chosen daily by the festival audience in Lisbon and announced at the daily plenaries |
- Finalists are not limited to one award.
- Awards may be presented to the director or the producer of the film.
- All awards except People’s Choice will be presented during the Director’s Showcase on the evening of Wednesday 1 September 2027.
- All prize amounts are in euros.
- To keep People’s Choice a true audience award, votes are cast by in-person conference delegates only. If anyone connected to your film is found to be sharing information on how to vote, via social media or otherwise, your film will be disqualified from receiving this award.
Rules, Terms and Technical Requirements
For more information on eligibility, terms and conditions, and technical requirements, visit the submission page here.
Questions?
Contact the Film Festival team at filmfestival@ser.org.
Past Film Festival Winners
SER2023, Darwin, Australia
- Best Student Film: Mussel Mania: Restoring New Zealand’s Lost Mussel Reefs (Trevyn Toone)
- Best Open Short Film: Cry Of The Glossy (Tim Brown)
- Best Open Long Film: Gardening Marine Forests: A Hands-On Approach to Restoration (Stefan Andrews)
SER2025, Denver, Colorado, USA
- Student and Ecological Restoration Professional: Restoring a River: Tawatinaw Watershed’s History & Future (Ethan Zapach)
- Short Film: SEAWEED, A Love Story (Rebecca J Pratt)
- Feature Film: Pedder: The Fault in Tasmania’s Wilderness (Tabatha Badger)
- Weaving Indigenous Perspectives: Enraizados (Our Roots Remain) (Ivonne Serna and Sélim Benzeghia)
Past festival photos