About us

EKOFILM is the International Film Festival about the Environment and our Natural and Cultural Heritage. It brings the latest information about the state of nature and the environment in various countries of the world and in many instances even facts about the resolution of particular situations to a wide audience.

The Tradition of the Festival – the oldest film festival of its type

EKOFILM was founded in 1974 in Ostrava. Today it is the oldest festival of its type in Europe. Since 2000 it has been a member of the international association of environmental festivals ECOMOVE International based in Berlin.

EKOFILM has received many international accolades. There can be no doubt that it is one of the best environmentally oriented festivals in the world. Every year many influential foreign participants attend the festival and it has also twice won the ECOMOVE International competition of world ecological festivals. The winning films of EKOFILM are often the recipients of awards at other, similarly thematic festivals abroad. The 2009 EKOFILM festival brought together a record number of more than 8,000 movie goers.

» ECOMOVE International

Promoters – Ministry of the Environment and others

The main promoter of the festival is the Ministry of the Environment, which is very involved in the course of the festival. The festival also fulfils and strengthens the function of environmental education, enlightenment and qualified information for the professional and general public because of the high quality standards of the films screened at the festival. Co-promoters are the EKOFILM civic association, The South Bohemian Region and the cities of Český Krumlov and České Budějovice.

» Ministry of the Environment
» EKOFILM Civic Association
» South Bohemian Region
» City of České Budějovice
» City of Český Krumlov

Films and discussions – competitive and non-competitive sections

Films fulfilling the competition conditions may be submitted for the competition and the selection committee will decide which of the entered films will advance to the competition. Every year approximately 140 pictures from more than 30 countries are submitted, each giving form to the relationship between humans and the environment and our natural and cultural heritage through their content and artistic interpretation.

The non-competitive section includes films on particular topics, discussions with filmmakers, presentations, workshops, exhibits, concerts and theatrical performances. A sharp exchange of opinions can take place during certain academic discussions. It depends on the topic.

» Festival regulations & film admission
» Clips of the awarded films from EKOFILM 2009
» Clips of the awarded films from EKOFILM 2008

Program and location – České Budějovice, Český Krumlov and Cinemabus

Our varied program is open to everyone, from schoolchildren to students, and for the general as well as the professional public. The films shown at the festival are often those that are not widely distributed. EKOFILM takes place every year at the beginning of October. In 2010 it will be held from October 4th to 10th in Southern Bohemia, in the towns of České Budějovice and Český Krumlov. The festival staff works closely with, among others, the Faculty of Science of the South Bohemia University and Czech Railways, which provides the festival with the Cinematrain. Seminars will take place on the premises of the university as well as on the railroad tracks, and there will also be commented screenings for schoolchildren, students and the public during the festival.

» Festival program and film catalogue
» Transport and locations
» Cinemabus

Admission and individual participation

Admission to the festival is free for all viewers. We recommend that people interested in specific seats in a screening room register for individual participation at the EKOFILM locations, or enquire before the start of the festival using the contact information on our website.

» Individual participation registration
» Contact