Downstream Environmental Film Festival
Downstream Environmental Film Festival showcases local, national, and international short films that explore environmental issues.
Our film festival strives to amplify the voices of diverse filmmakers passionate about the environment. Through this, we aim to raise awareness about water quality concerns using the arts and connect people to environmental issues that may seem distant. Additionally, we hope to foster community building and bring neighbors together through our efforts.
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Film Submissions
The Downstream Environmental Film Festival typically seeks submissions in the fall and screens selected films the following spring. This is a non-competitive event, designed to promote the sharing of ideas and the exploration of thoughtful action. You can learn more about how to submit a film at the link below.
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Attend the Film Festival
Are you looking to attend the Downstream Environmental Film Festival? We will be hosting our 8th Downstream Film Festival with the theme "Resilience” in Cannon Falls, Faribault, Northfield, and Owatonna in March 2025. Check out our events pages and let us know you’re coming!
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Film Proposals
We are seeking proposals for a short film project funded by the MPCA as part of We Are Water MN. We hope to commission up to three non-English-language short films about the Cannon River Watershed, and we’re particularly interested in films that utilize Spanish, Hmong, Dakota, and Somali.
Photo provided by Joel Caldwell.
Learn about our 2025 Film Selections
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Raíces del Agua (Roots of Water), directed by Wil Crombie
This film was created with grant support from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
My Land, directed by Victor Njagi
Pastures and Panels, directed by Tucker Gragg
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Herders at the Edge, directed by Delgerzaya Delgerjargal
Belonging, directed by Danami-Maurice Champion
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Ogiek: Guardians of the Forest, directed by Jackie Lebo
The Green Buffalo, directed by Joel Caldwell
The Opening Address, directed by Jess Lowe Chaverri and Alvera Sargent
Looking Back.
During the 2023 film festival, we brought together 116 attendees and 13 passionate filmmakers to raise awareness about environmental concerns beyond their hometowns. With screenings in 4 locations, we built connections with communities within our watershed and beyond while inspiring others to take action toward a healthier environment.
Looking Ahead.
We want to expand the reach of our film festival to different locations across the watershed while continuing to showcase the work of talented filmmakers with diverse backgrounds.
We also seek to commission up to three non-English-language short films about the Cannon River Watershed that explore one or more of the following themes: water quality and quantity, humans’ relationships to place, or other water, land, or climate health themes. Scroll down to learn more.
Request for Proposals: Short film project sharing diverse perspectives on the Cannon River Watershed
We are seeking proposals for a short film project funded by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency as part of We Are Water MN.
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We hope to commission up to three non-English-language short films about the Cannon River Watershed that explore one or more of the following themes: water quality and quantity, humans’ relationships to place, or other water, land, or climate health themes. Filmmakers who live in or near the Cannon River Watershed are welcome to apply.
Filmmakers may request up to $15,000 to produce their films, with project expenses detailed in a submitted budget. Completed films should be between 5 and 20 minutes in length. Selected filmmakers will have their films showcased at a future CRP event.
We are particularly interested in films that utilize languages relevant to local communities, such as Spanish, Hmong, Dakota, and Somali. Finished films must be subtitled in English.
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Please email a cover letter, resume, project budget, and work sample to downstream@cleanriverpartners.org.
Note: The Cannon River Watershed encompasses areas of Dakota, Goodhue, Le Sueur, Steele, Rice and Waseca counties.
Work for Hire: Selected films will be work made for hire, and the intellectual property will be jointly owned by the State of Minnesota and Clean River Partners.
Questions?
Contact Heron Mahr (they/them), our
Community Engagement Coordinator
heron@cleanriverpartners.org
(507) 200-0502
We’re thankful to our funders, event sponsors, and partners!
