Event details.

In 2017, EFFA has travelled the world to bring the best environmental films and perspectives to Melbourne screens, as well as showcasing some of the outstanding Australian voices making environmental films. 

This year’s festival runs from 12 - 19 October and the lineup includes Carnage, a horror-comedy mockumentary about a utopian all-vegan future by Director Simon Amstell (Opening Night, Thursday 12 October), Let There Be Light, a thought-provoking glimpse into an exciting renewable energy technology that just might save the world (Friday 13 October), and The Borneo Case, an eye-opening documentary on what has been dubbed ‘the greatest environmental crime in history’ (Sunday 15 October). 

Along with a program of 16 feature films are screenings of 14 Australian short films, an international short films package, a screening of the revolutionary and immersive Remote Sense at the Scienceworks Planetarium, and for the first time at EFFA, a selection of virtual reality experiences. 

Another new initiative launching this year is the Reel Impact Filmmakers Industry Day (Saturday 14 October), a full day of events for established and emerging practitioners to learn from leading figures in the world of environmental film. 

A number of expert question and answer panels will also be held in conjunction with featured film screenings, giving the audience an open and direct avenue to finding out more about the environmental issues on screen, and how they can be a part of the change. 

This is EFFA’s eighth year and boasts one of it’s strongest and most exciting programs yet. FIlms and events will take place across three venues: AMCI, the Scienceworks Planetarium and RMIT University.

EFFA is a not-for-profit festival run by a dedicated and passionate team of volunteers. Their mission is to challenge the way people think about the natural world and inspire them to discuss, explore and act on important environmental issues.

Festival Highlights

• 43 films, 1 World Premiere, 38 Australian Premieres

• Opening Night Thursday 12th October, Australian Premiere of Simon Amstel’s Carnage - opening includes Festival launch event supported by LUSH and Mountain Goat

• Australian Premiere screening of Remote Sense at the Planetarium

• Australian Premiere of Let There Be Light, with special guest Canadian filmmaker Mila Aung-Thwin a guest of the Festival

• A Virtual Reality Showcase from Friday 13 October to Sunday 15 October

• EFFA’s Reel Impact Filmmakers Industry Day on Saturday 14 October

• Special partnership with RMIT to screen four films on Tuesday 17 October, including Brasilia: Life After Design

• EFFA’s Education Program for Primary and Secondary schools

• 5% of all tickets to EFFA are provided free to selected community groups

• EFFA has partnered with Bank Australia for a Community Storytelling Project - see the films produced during the Festival!

Whether you enjoy documentaries about nature, you're an environmental activist or an enthusiastic film producer, this film festival has something for everyone. So mark it in your diary and book your tickets now , so you don't miss out.

Reel Impact Filmmakers Industry Day

This is a full day of events for established and emerging practitioners to learn from leading figures in the world of environmental film about how they can be a part of the change. A number of expert question and answer panels will also be held in conjunction with featured film screenings, giving the audience an open and direct avenue to finding out more about the environmental issues on screen, and how they can be a part of the change including:

• In conversation with Mila Aung-Thwin will talk about his filmmaking process, his thoughts on making environmentally themed productions and how he chooses his subjects.

• Making a Splash (and how to keep swimming), join the conversation with established environmental filmmakers reflecting on what they've learnt since their first enviro film, their experiences, making an impact with their work, and their thoughts on the current state of the industry.

• Catalysing Change with Environmental Films, many environmental films are made with a mind to generate awareness that leads to improved environmental outcomes. But how effective can enviro-films be, and are we making the most of film's potential?

• Communicating Environmental Issues, will look at how we can communicate environmental and sustainability issues with video to generate more empathy and create change.

• Funding in a Changing Climate, these days most significant productions start with a crowd-funding campaign. What makes a successful campaign and what does a fundraising plan for an environmental documentary look like?

• Industry Networking @ The ACMI bar & café, connect with environmental video and film practitioners, communicators, educators and eNGO employees for the opportunity to discuss the ideas raised during the day's sessions.

Education Day

This is aimed at school students and is on Thursday 19th October. You can take your students beyond the classroom and into the deep blue with screenings of Sea of Life. Young filmmaker Julia Barnes, embarks on an epic journey around the world to save the ecosystems we depend on for survival.

This will take you on a provocative journey, through threatened ecosystems and the rallying movement to save them, leaving you inspired to fight for our oceans - and our future. Sea of Life is a film about changing the world where young people rise up in the face of catastrophe and have the courage to fight for what matters. Students will be able to explore these issues after the screening with a talk by a guest speaker.

Primary School screening is on at 12:30 - 1 pm | Secondary School is 10 am - 12pm