SunChild International Environmental Festival (14)

Début du Festival: 18 octobre 2026      Fin du Festival: 30 octobre 2026

The SunChild 14th International Environmental Festival (SunChild IEF) will take place in October 2026 in Armenia, screening a curated selection of outstanding environmental films from around the world. The 14th edition of the festival will be held in parallel with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity COP17, hosted by Armenia, creating a unique platform where culture, conservation, and global environmental dialogue intersect.

At a time when biodiversity loss has become one of the most urgent challenges facing humanity, SunChild IEF aims to bring stories of nature, species, ecosystems, and people to the forefront of public attention. Through film, discussion, and community engagement, the festival creates space to learn, connect, and imagine solutions for a more sustainable and biodiverse future.

Selected filmmakers and directors will be invited to Armenia to participate in screenings, discussions, and public events, fostering direct dialogue between filmmakers, experts, youth, and audiences during this globally significant moment for biodiversity conservation.

About the Festival

Founded by the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC), SunChild International Environmental Festival is the first and only environmental film festival in the South Caucasus. Over the past years, the festival has screened more than 780 films from over 150 countries, becoming a recognized platform for environmental storytelling and dialogue.

Beyond film screenings, SunChild IEF includes a wide range of activities such as workshops, conferences, exhibitions, public discussions, and creative events. The festival also travels to regions across Armenia throughout the year, actively engaging children and youth through educational screenings and community-based initiatives that encourage local action and creative responses to environmental challenges.

SunChild IEF aims to bring biodiversity, wildlife, ecosystems, and environmental responsibility into the center of public discourse, strengthening environmental awareness and participation at both local and international levels.

Theme of the 14th Edition: Biodiversity Conservation

The 14th edition of SunChild IEF is dedicated to biodiversity conservation, focusing on the protection of species, habitats, ecosystems, and the intricate relationships that sustain life on Earth. Films and events within the festival will explore biodiversity loss, human impacts on nature, conservation efforts, restoration initiatives, and pathways toward ecological resilience in Armenia, the South Caucasus region, and globally.

By highlighting both the challenges and solutions related to biodiversity conservation, the festival seeks to inspire responsibility, dialogue, and action among diverse audiences.

Film Categories:

• Feature-Length Environmental Films (Competition)

Documentary films addressing biodiversity conservation, environmental degradation, species protection, ecosystem restoration, and human–nature relationships.
Films released after March 2025 are eligible.
Duration: 45 minutes to 3 hours.
For longer films, please contact SunChild IEF.

• Short Environmental Films (Competition)

Short documentary or fictional films focusing on biodiversity-related themes, including conservation challenges, local and global environmental stories, and innovative solutions.
Films released after March 2025 are eligible.
Duration: 5–45 minutes.

• Youth Voices for Biodiversity – Documentary (Competition)

This category is dedicated to environmental documentaries created by young filmmakers. In line with UN standards, youth are defined as individuals aged 15–24.
At least one key creative role (director, co-director, or lead producer) must be held by a filmmaker within this age range. The category highlights youth perspectives on biodiversity conservation, environmental challenges, and solutions shaping the future.
Films released after March 2024 are eligible.
Duration: 5–120 minutes.

• John Burton Conservation Award

Named in honor of the late conservationist John Burton, this award recognizes outstanding films about individuals and initiatives dedicated to protecting nature and biodiversity worldwide.
The award celebrates strong directorial vision and impactful storytelling about conservation leaders and changemakers.
Films released after March 2025 are eligible.

• Non-Competition: Environmental Education & Awareness

This non-competitive program welcomes films that contribute to environmental education and public awareness on a broad range of ecological topics, including biodiversity, climate, wildlife, and sustainability.
Films of any genre released before March 2023 are eligible.
Duration: 5 minutes to 2 hours.
For shorter or longer films, please contact SunChild IEF.

Prix ​​en espèces: 6,000€

Awards & Prizes

SunChild IEF winners will receive the following:

- Unique handmade trophies symbolizing SunChild IEF
- Official certificates
- Monetary prizes, as follows:

• Feature-Length Environmental Films / Documentaries (Biodiversity Conservation) – USD 2,500

• Short Environmental Films / Documentaries (Biodiversity Conservation) – USD 1,500

• John Burton Conservation Award (Films about Conservationists) – USD 2,000

• Youth Voices for Biodiversity – Documentary – USD 500

Monetary Prizes – Rules & Regulations

The SunChild International Environmental Festival awards monetary prizes to selected winners in competition categories. By participating in the competition, filmmakers and rights holders agree to the following terms:

- Eligibility

Monetary prizes are granted exclusively to films selected in competition categories and designated as award recipients by the official festival jury.

- Designated Recipient

Prizes are awarded to the film’s director, producer, or an officially authorized representative. In cases involving multiple stakeholders, the designated recipient must be confirmed in writing prior to the awards ceremony.

- Prize Conditions

Monetary awards are one-time, non-recurring grants with no restrictions on usage. Prizes will be transferred via bank transfer to the recipient’s account. A trophy will also be awarded for each competition category and delivered by post.

- Disbursement

Prize payments will be processed within 60 days following the conclusion of the festival. All bank transfer fees will be covered by SunChild IEF.

- Taxation

All applicable taxes, duties, or related financial obligations arising from receipt of the monetary prize will be borne by SunChild IEF.

- Promotion and Consent

By accepting the prize, recipients grant permission to SunChild IEF to publicly announce the award and use the film title, director’s name, and related materials for promotional purposes.

- Final Decision

All decisions made by the festival jury are final and not subject to appeal. The festival reserves the right to withhold a prize if no film meets the jury’s criteria.

- Jurisdiction

Any disputes related to monetary prizes shall be governed by the laws of the Republic of Armenia.

RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR 2026 SUBMISSIONS


The following Rules and Guidelines govern film submissions to the SunChild 14th International Environmental Festival (SunChild IEF), which will take place in September 2026 in Armenia, in parallel with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP17.

Compliance with these Rules and Guidelines is required for participation in the Festival.

Submission of a film implies unconditional acceptance of these Rules. If you have any questions, please contact us at film@fpwc.org.


Film Categories


SunChild IEF accepts submissions in the following categories:

• Feature-Length Environmental Films / Documentaries (Biodiversity Conservation)(over 60 minutes)

• Short Environmental Films/Documentaries(Biodiversity Conservation)(5–45 minutes)

• Youth Voices for Biodiversity – Documentary (At least one key creative role held by a filmmaker aged 15–24, in line with UN standards)

• John Burton Conservation Award (Films about conservationists and conservation initiatives)

• Non-Competition: Environmental Education & Awareness. Detailed descriptions of each category are available in the Event Description.


Eligibility


• Films eligible for Feature-Length, Short, and John Burton Award competition sections must have had their first public screening after March 2025.

• Films eligible for Youth Competition must have had their first public screening after March 2024.

• Films eligible for the Non-Competition section may have been released before March 2023.


Submission Rules


1. The entrant(s) submitting the film must hold all legal rights for the submission and possess all necessary clearances for public exhibition. Filmmakers retain all intellectual property and submission rights.

2. Only online submissions are accepted. Entries submitted by post, email, or any other format will not be considered.

3. The submission deadline for preselection is June 1, 2026. The Festival reserves the right to refuse late submissions.

4. Upon official selection (competition or non-competition), applicants agree to provide:

o A trailer via a non-expiring online link or HD file;

o Localization materials (English dialogue list, spotting list if available);

o A screener and poster artwork.

o Other related materials.

5. All materials must be delivered digitally clearly stating the local and English titles of the film in the email subject line. Physical media (hard drives, USBs, etc.) will not be accepted.

6. Filmmakers may submit multiple films, provided each film is submitted separately and meets all festival guidelines.

7. The Selection Committee’s decision is final and not subject to appeal.Due to volume, the Festival cannot provide individual feedback on unsuccessful submissions.

8. Entrants may contact film@sunchild.am to confirm receipt of submissions. Filmmakers submitting via Festhome may track their status directly on the platform.

9. SunChild IEF accepts DCP and non-DCP formats. Technical requirements will be communicated individually upon selection. Feature-length films are strongly encouraged to provide a DCP when available.

10. Each film may be screened up to three times during the Festival. Award-winning films may receive one additional screening on the final day.

11. All films must be submitted in English or with English subtitles. Selected films will be screened in their original language with English and Armenian subtitles.

12. SunChild IEF reserves the right to use excerpts, stills, and images from selected films for promotional and marketing purposes.

13. Final selection results will be announced by July 15, 2026.

14. The Festival reserves the right to modify screening formats, schedules, or events due to public health, safety, or regulatory requirements. In such cases, submission fees are non-refundable.