This year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are working with our partners to ensure a safe experience for our guests. Our partnering venues are all requiring the use of face masks and are practicing social distancing guidelines set forth by the CDC.

We are doubling down on our values of access, equity, inclusivity, and independence by reimagining the Global Peace Film Festival during these extraordinary times. In addition to limited public screenings, we have expanded the Festival by providing access to those unable or unwilling to travel by offering a series of “Stay-At-Home Docs” and digital Q & A Sessions that can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home. While the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge, we’ve also seen it as an opportunity for creative and expansive thinking.

The Global Peace Film Festival is now a single festival expressed locally, globally, in-person and online.

In its second year, Animal Film Festival (AFF) is the only global fest of its kind, seeking specifically animal-themed films in every category. AFF is held at a beautiful and state of the art theater in the heart of the Sierra Nevada foothills in Grass Valley, California. AFF kicks off with an invitation only party the night before the fest - serving delicious catered vegan food and beverages. Filmmakers are provided with free lodging (as available) and VIP treatment throughout the fest. Audience discussions follow films where the filmmakers are present. Each filmmaker receives a gift bag loaded with animal friendly products. Best of all, the films screened at Animal Film Festival go far in changing people's minds and treatment of animals. This is a win win for our audience and animals.

AFF seeks films that bring awareness about the realities animals face in the world today. The stories showcased in documentary, scripted, feature and short films will be engaging, funny, edgy, beautiful and inspirational. The festival seeks to explore topics about companion animals, wildlife, animals in entertainment, farming, and laboratories. We are looking for films that highlight ways our society celebrates our relationships with non humans, as well as films showing the ways we mistreat them. Animal Film Festival aims to not only entertain audiences but to propel people into action to change their own lives as well as the animals effected.

Awards & Prizes

Awards are given in the categories of Feature, Short and Student. The awards last year included a framed certificate listing the filmmaker(s) and the title of their film/category. Each filmmaker also received a gift bag filled with animal friendly products.

The Wildscreen Festival is internationally acknowledged as the most influential and prestigious event of its kind in the world.  Its aim is to celebrate, applaud and encourage excellence, and responsibility, in wildlife and environmental filmmaking - films which increase the global viewing public's understanding of the natural world, and the need to conserve it.

If you attend one event this year, make it the Wildscreen Festival and benefit from:

• the opportunity to network with individuals from every corner of the industry
• pitching opportunities in a crucial marketplace, where films are bought and sold, and where new commissions and contracts are awarded
• inspirational, and sometimes controversial, discussion panels
• in depth filmmaker masterclasses and a unique programme of training workshops
• access to hundreds of the world's best wildlife and environmental films from the past two years.

Visit http://www.wildscreenfestival.org.uk for information on submitting a film and attending the festival.