A Few Minutes for the Planet - Competition
We are delighted to announce the launch of A Few Minutes for the Planet, a new competition for student filmmakers from NAHEMI member institutions, in association with UK Green Film Network and with thesupport of BAFTA albert Education Partnership and the Green Film School Alliance (GFSA). We are inviting submissions of short films of 1 to 2 minutes 30 secs (maximum) in length, addressing the pressingissues of climate change, and produced using eco-friendly production protocols. (see details below)
Production teams must register their interest in the competition by 21st May 2025, and the submission deadline for completed films is 31st October 2025. Each NAHEMI institution can submit up to five productions.
Students must work with either the open-access PEACHy framework (Production Environmental Actions Checklist for Young filmmakers) supported by the GFSA, through which they will be able to obtain an EMA Green Seal OR, the BAFTA albert Education Partnership protocol for those who are members.
The Prizes
There are four awards on offer:
● The UK Green Film Network Award for Best Environmental Messaging
● The NAHEMI Award for Best Green Production Methods
● The GFSA Award for Excellence in Fiction, rewarded with a scholarship for Sundance’s feature writing class Screenwriting: Core Elements
● The GFSA Award for Excellence in Non-Fiction, rewarded with a scholarship for Sundance’s documentary development class, Documentary Filmmaking: Core Elements
The winning films, along with a selection of the best of the rest will make up a special package to be screened as supporting features in UK Green Film Network cinemas, to help spread the climate action message. This is a not to be missed opportunity to have student films that champion green issues, shown on major screens across the country, viewed by the cinema going public!
All films submitted will be included in a green gala screening at a major UK Green Film Network venue, where the awards will be presented. Filmmakers and production crews will be invited to present their films and innovative approach to storytelling and green production methods to an audience of filmmakers, tutors, educators and green campaigners.
The Brief
For inspiration we offer some suggested areas of focus, but films are not limited to these headings.
● Transport: what are the alternative options to our current modes of transport, which are dependent on fossil fuels? Can we change the technologies and offer cheap and betterpublic travel options?
● Urban nature & Tree Planting: urban nature is vital for clean air, cooling, and biodiversity. Green spaces improve mental health, and community well-being, and more trees, parks and gardens can reduce pollution and heat. Where are these green spaces in our cities, how can we make them flourish? What benefits will a programme of tree planting bring?
● Pollution: how can we reduce air, water, and land pollution? Our current systems rely on single-use plastics, fossil fuels, intensive farming, and so on. What better alternativemethods can we employ to enable a functioning greener society?
● Greenwashing: some companies use marketing tactics that mislead the public about theirenvironmental impact. How do we recognise these? How can we inform the public and stop this from happening?
● Climate Justice: How can we find solutions to the climate crisis that not only reduce emissions or protect the natural world, but that do so in a way which creates a fairer, more just and equal world in the process?
● Imagine positive green futures: be bold and inventive and have some fun, show us howwe can do better and build a future for us and the planet, no matter how big or small the initiatives are.
Student films can address any area which is considered important in combating climate change. Films might examine how society is dealing with green issues, or suggest new ways of acting in an environmentally friendly way to make a better world, or even present innovative ways of making a film which has low environmental impact and as low carbon as possible.
The Films
Films must be 1 to 2 minutes 30 seconds in length including titles, and address any environmental issues such as, but not limited to, those outlined above. We want imaginative and creative productions in anygenre. This could be comedy, animation, documentary, live-action, drama, or essay film. It can be serious, funny, or absurd. Films can use graphics, special effects, or archival material, but all must all have copyright clearance and evidence available on request.
Below, we have included some resources, film examples, and guidelines for sustainable productions. We will also provide an online green filmmaking workshop.
Online drop-in Session: 30th April 2025 at 2pm
There will be an online drop-in session on offer, so please join us to hear about green production and what is required. This will be hosted by NAHEMI and the UK Green Film Network, with the Green Film School Alliance and BAFTA Albert Education Partnership, who will be ready to answer any questions you might have. This session will be recorded and made available to all registered participants. The link for the meeting is below.
A Few Minutes for the Planet drop-in session
Registration deadline: 21st May 2025
Filmmakers must be a student at a NAHEMI institution at the time of registration, and have a named tutor as a point of contact and referee. Students do not need to pitch an idea, but registration will be taken as a commitment to entering the competition and a completed film will be expected from those mentioned on the registration form.
You will NOT be able to submit a film without being registered. (see Registration Form)
PEACHy education session: 27th May 2025 at 6pm
Once students have registered for A Few Minutes for the Planet, the Green Film School Alliance will host an online session explaining how to use the PEACHy framework to obtain an EMA Green Seal.
Format and Submission:
Technical specifications:
● File format: mp4 or MOV.
● Resolution: 1080p or higher for delivery.
● Frame rate: 24 or 30fps.
Films are to be submitted via FilmFreeway at the following link: https://filmfreeway.com/AFewMinutesforthePlanet
The Panel
The judging panel will be made up of representatives from NAHEMI, the UK Green Film Network, The Green Film School Alliance, BAFTA albert Education Partnership, student representatives, as well as other invited professionals working in the screen industries.
What To Do Next
To submit a film for A Few Minutes for the Planet, complete the registration form online, here: https://forms.gle/fp4g26tDxrtBSYY27
If you have any questions, please email chair@nahemi.org for further details.
Resources
Here are a few films to inspire your productions, an example of the sorts of films students could make - or just go your own way!
● Beep
Below are some tools to support students with sustainable filmmaking techniques, including ways to lowerthe carbon footprint of filmmaking across multiple production departments. While these tools may be useful, students should remember to use the PEACHy framework to achieve an EMA Green Seal or albertframework to have their film albert certified.
● European Booklet for Green Productions
● Carbon Action Plan (CAP) Help & Resources - albert
● Working Sustainably Within Camera (BECTU) - focused on camerawork
● Green Filmmaking - sections for different production departments
Members signed up to BAFTA albert's Education Partnership are encouraged to use the framework and skills taught in the module and are especially encouraged to seek the Education Partnership Production Logo for their productions. Members who do not have access to this are encouraged to explore the case studies, methodology and Where to Get Started with Sustainable Filmmaking Guide available on albert's website as an introduction.
GOOD LUCK!