Entries must have a central focus on non-domesticated wildlife animals, trees, plants or fungi, natural habitats, agriculture, conservation, climate change or the environment. They demonstrate the beauty of nature and/or raise awareness about the collective responsibility we have to maintain it.

Submitting is free of charge. A film must be completed on or after January 1st, 2024 and can only be submitted through FilmFreeway. To do so, use the submission button above. Deadline for submitting is 1 May 2026.

Every year, WFFR receives hundreds of submissions from around the world. To be selected for WFFR’s Flamingo Competition, the following criteria will be tested: originality, cinematography, screenplay, editing, voice-over, sound effects and film music.

Filmmakers admitted to the Flamingo Competition will be invited to attend the screening of their film in Rotterdam between 2 – 8 November 2026. A selection of films will also be screened at the satellite editions in Wageningen and Tilburg.

WFFR is also the meeting place for the wildlife film industry in the Netherlands and is known for its friendly and informal atmosphere where all our guests feel at home. You can catch up with other film professionals during the festival and participate in workshops, pitching sessions and social events.

WFFR also takes place online. Films accepted into the Flamingo Competition will automatically participate in the online festival as well, unless otherwise specified. The films in the online festival can only be seen in the Netherlands and not abroad (geoblocked).

In 2026, WFFR will recognize outstanding achievements in eleven Flamingo Award categories. All of our winners will be announced at the Flamingo Award Ceremony on Saturday evening, November 7th, 2026.

The festival will take place at film theater Cinerama (Westblaak 18, Rotterdam) & LantarenVenster (Otto Reuchlinweg 996, Rotterdam). 

The Industry Days take place at the National History Museum (Westzeedijk 345, Rotterdam).

Agenda for 2026

Submission deadline: 1 May 2026
Finalists announced: 15 July 2026
Film dates and times announced: 1 September 2026
Industry Days programme announced: 15 September 2026
Festival Rotterdam: 2 – 8 November 2026
WFFR Industry Days: 6 & 7 November 2026
Flamingo Award Ceremony: 7 November 2026
Satellite edition Wageningen: 11 – 15 November 2026
Satellite edition Tilburg: 18 – 22 November 2026
Online festival: 3 November – 5 December 2026