What is the Fiction Category?
The Fiction category is one of the festival's eight competition genres, aimed at young filmmakers up to the age of 25. It is a competitive category with a prize of £250 awarded to the winning film.
In the context of the Earth Stories mission, the Fiction category invites filmmakers to use narrative storytelling—imagined characters, plots, and worlds—to explore environmental themes. Unlike documentary, which presents factual accounts, fiction allows creators to craft allegorical stories, near-future scenarios, or character-driven dramas that illuminate the climate crisis, humanity's relationship with nature, and pathways toward sustainability.
Key Rules for Fiction Submissions
If you are submitting a fiction film, you must adhere to the festival's standard rules:
- Duration: Films must be between 1 and 10 minutes long.
- Language: Films must be in English or include accurate English subtitles.
- Content: Any genre is accepted, but films with strong adult elements (profanity, sex, gore, drugs, violence) will be rejected.
- Originality: You must be the copyright holder of your original work.
- Entry Fee: Submissions are free.
- Age Requirement: Entrants must be any age under 25 years old for the Fiction category.
In essence, the Fiction category at Earth Stories is an opportunity for young filmmakers to use imaginative storytelling to explore environmental issues, create emotional connections with audiences, and envision possible futures through narrative craft.
