Poetry & Spoken Word Film category

The new Poetry & Spoken Word Film category requires submissions to be short films where the spoken word poem or lyrical text serves as the central narrative and aesthetic force. Visual and auditory elements must work in service of the text, creating a unified cinematic poem that speaks to ecology, climate justice, or humanity's relationship with the natural world.

Audio description is strongly encouraged, particularly for works that rely heavily on visual metaphor, ensuring the art reaches diverse audiences. Each film submitted must include accurate English subtitles for all spoken words. The films must not exceed eight minutes in length, including credits, which demands concision and impact.

Submissions require a brief statement explaining the poem's inspiration and its connection to the festival’s core values. All rights to the poem and performances must be secured. Shortlisted films will be included in the 2027 awards ceremony.

1. Core Principle: Poetry in Motion

Submissions must be short films where the spoken word poem or lyrical text is the central, driving narrative and aesthetic force. The visual and auditory elements must serve and elevate the text, creating a unified cinematic poem.

2. Thematic Alignment

The poem's theme must connect meaningfully to the festival's core focus on environmentalism, ecology, climate justice, or human relationships with the natural world. We seek works that use poetic language to explore, critique, mourn, or celebrate the Earth.

3. Authentic Voice & Authorship

The primary poet or spoken word artist must be credited as a key creator (e.g., Writer, Performer). We encourage submissions from poets themselves or close collaborations between filmmakers and poets. The film should feel like an authentic extension of the poet's voice.

4. Mandatory Accessibility

To ensure the art is available to all:

• All films must have burned-in, clear, and accurate English subtitles/captions for all spoken and sung words.
• Audio Description (describing key visual elements) is strongly encouraged, especially for films relying heavily on visual metaphor.

5. Technical & Duration Specifications

• Maximum Length: 10 minutes (including credits). The form demands concision and impact.
• Format: Submit a high-quality digital file (e.g., H.264, ProRes) as per the main festival's technical guidelines. Ensure audio quality is pristine, as the spoken word is paramount.

6. Creative Interpretation Welcome

The "film" can take diverse forms: single-shot performance, edited narrative, collage animation, text-on-screen, or experimental visualisations. We welcome innovation in how text and image interact.

7. Submission Statement Requirement

In your application, include a brief statement (max 200 words) explaining:

• The poem's inspiration and its connection to the Earth Stories theme
• The creative rationale behind your chosen visual approach

8. Performance & Rights

You must have full rights to use the poem (either as the original author or with explicit permission) and the performance. All featured performers and collaborators must have agreed to their inclusion.

9. Judging Criteria

Entries will be assessed on:

Does it:

• Inform, Educate, Entertain and a Call to Action

Does it have:

• Strength & Originality of the Poetic Text
• Artistic Integration of sound, image, and word
• Emotional & Intellectual Impact
• Technical Execution (cinematography, sound design, editing)
• Thematic Relevance

10. Festival Presentation

If selected, be prepared for your work to be screened as part of a curated programme. Poets and filmmakers may be invited to participate in a post-screening Q&A or a live spoken word event, hybrid or in-person.