DCEFF2026

We are proud to announce the theme of our 34th Annual Environmental Film Festival: Against the Current.

DCEFF 2026 will be dedicated to amplifying the unwavering voices of those who press on in defense of our planet, even in the face of significant challenges. This year’s programs will spotlight powerful stories of innovation and action — while forging partnerships with local and national organizations leading the fight for a better future.

It is indisputable that things are harder now for environmentalists, artists, and humanists than they were nine months ago. And yet there are still filmmakers in the editing bay, scientists in the field, and journalists chasing leads. The work can’t stop when there are important stories waiting to be told.

Even while new tensions arise, especially here at home in DC, we will reject cynicism and look for hope. Our 2026 Festival honors the resilience of the natural world and the potency of arts. In the dark of more than twenty venues throughout Washington, we will explore imagery and evidence to inspire hearts and minds.

We do not swim Against the Current to spite the tide, we do it out of love — for our families, our neighbors, for wild spaces and lives, and for our planet. We hope you will join us March 19-28, 2026 as we push against new obstacles, and in doing so build the muscle and the resolve for the years ahead. The earth endures and so will we.

— Monica Schorn, DCEFF Executive Director